The Art of Medicine, Episode #40, Locum Tenens and ER Medicine, an interview with Rip Patel, MD

Show Notes July 7, 2021 Many thanks to Ripal Patel, MD, founder and lead for Mercision Emergency Medicine, for joining me to discuss locum tenens and ER medicine. Dr. Patel received his MD at UT Southwestern Medical Center and his MPH at Kings College, London. He started out in general surgery but quickly found his home in ER medicine. After an ER residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA, he moved to Houston, TX, where he is an Assistant Professor at the Baylor College of Medicine. As a locum tenens ER physician, Dr. Patel has traveled to as many as 30 different ERs in a half-dozen states. He works with staffing agencies and also has his own group of ER physicians who contract directly with hospitals. During this 20-minute interview, Rip shares his experiences, both good and bad, with the world of locums. Dr. Patel explained that locums physicians work on their own schedule, receive excellent compensation, and avoid hospital politics. Assignments are time-limited. If they don’t work out, there’s no obligation to return. On the other hand, if it’s a good experience, recurring assignments offer many advantages. If you are a physician unhappy with your current employment, need supplemental income, or just ready to try something new, this interview will interest you. Dr. Patel advises that physicians disillusioned with clinical medicine consider locums before switching to a nonclinical career. Dr. Patel can be contacted through his website: www.mercisionem.com For more fascinating interviews, please subscribe to “The Art of Medicine with Dr. Andrew Wilner.”    / andrewwilnermdauthor   If you have questions about locums, don't hesitate to contact me: www.andrewwilner.com #ER #ermedicine #locums #locumtenens #travel #locumsphysician #roadwarrior #1099 #sidegig #nonclinicalcareers