A recent article in Locum Life magazine offers good advice for first-time or long-time locum tenens physicians who feel the tug of family responsibilities when they travel.  One great idea from the article is to hold a family meeting before your assignment to discuss why your career involves trips away from home. 

Locum Leaders CMO Bob Harrington, MD adds, “it’s best to let your family know where you’re working, your contact information, hours that you’re working, and good and bad times to get in touch with you.” And take particular care to explain to younger children why you need to leave home. “I think it needs to be portrayed in a positive light,” he advises.

Work-life choices are also highlighted in a job satisfaction survey I recently came across on MomMD.com. The survey found a strong correlation between hours worked and a desire to leave the practice of medicine.  Women who worked more than 50 hours a week as an attending physician were almost twice as likely to want leave medicine as those who worked less than 50 hours a week.

If you seek a better balance, locum tenens jobs offer a viable alternative to full-time employment. Many locum assignments don’t require travel and can provide consistent part-time income for parents who want to adjust their schedules.