Locum doctors have proven to be a critical component to Australia's healthcare system. They've shored up the supply of highly qualified general physicians for patients to see when they're in need of health services, and at the same time, provided new and exciting opportunities for those same GPs to practice in various positions that they may have been unable to take advantage of were it not for locum jobs. In some parts of the country, locum doctors comprise over 38% of the medical workforce, according to NSW Health figures obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald.

Yet despite the rate at which locum doctors can be found in many different medical settings, a number of misconceptions persist about what it's like to be one. Such false impressions may deter highly skilled physicians from inquiring about locum GP job openings when they become available.

Here are a few of the biggest myths about locum doctor jobs and why they're inaccurate:

Myth No. 1: Locum doctors can't build up a rapport with patients

Since many locum jobs are temporary - wherein physicians fill them for as long as the previous doctor is unable to render his or her services - the suspicion is the job won't allow for the follow-up appointments and consultation that establish the doctor-patient relationship. In reality, there are opportunities for repeat locum or FIFO placements to the same location, which enables doctors to build rapport with patients, staff and the community overtime. Locum doctors often have more of an opportunity to develop the interpersonal association with patients because they typically do not have to deal with the red tape, meetings and administrative tasks that permanent staff members face. All that extra time can be used to speak with patients on a one-to-one basis, which enables them to better understand and resolve the health issues patients face and customise their treatment plans.

Locum doctors often get to spend more quality time with patients.

Myth No. 2: Locum doctors aren't paid as well as permanent doctor jobs

Generally speaking, physicians are among the highest-paid professionals in the country, and rightly so, given the amount of time they devote to training and helping people become healthier. However, some suspect that locum jobs aren't as remunerative as full-time positions at a hospital or medical facility because of the nature of locum work - it's temporary.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In many instances, working on a short-term contract can be an extraordinarily lucrative opportunity because some of these positions that open are critical to fill. In other words, because demand is high in the form of patient volume, the positions pay well to generate interest from GPs who may be interested or whose qualifications match the needs of the opening. For example, emergency GPs are paid an average of between $1,800 to 2,200 per day. The actual amounts can vary based on experience and location.

Temporary jobs can lead to long-lasting employment.

Myth No. 3: Locum work doesn't provide job stability

While locum doctors are known for working on an interim basis, this isn't always the case. Occasionally, a doctor who is filling in may do such a good job that it leads to a permanent position, perhaps in a slightly different capacity. Furthermore, trialling roles give medical practitioners the ability to "try it before they buy it," meaning they can test out what work in one capacity is like, which can provide them with the insight they need to determine if such a role suits them well. Because locum doctors frequently work in several medical settings, they can establish the professional connections necessary to hear about permanent job openings before they become more widely publicised.

The misconceptions about locum work will likely never go away entirely. But the truth always wins out in the end. For rewarding, well-paying job opportunities in the medical field, no one does it better or faster than Your Doctor Jobs. Contact us to learn more.