Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, presented “The Evolving Landscape of Locum Tenens in Urology: Trends, Causes, and Global Perspectives” during the 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar on February 5, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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How to cite: Kim, Fernando J. “The Evolving Landscape of Locum Tenens in Urology: Trends, Causes, and Global Perspectives.” February 5, 2025. Accessed Mar 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/the-evolving-landscape-of-locum-tenens-in-urology-trends-causes-and-global-perspectives/
The Evolving Landscape of Locum Tenens in Urology: Trends, Causes, and Global Perspectives – Summary
Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, presents an in-depth analysis of the growing role of locum tenens in urology, drawing on his personal experience and recent market research. In this 23-minute presentation, Dr. Kim highlights the rising demand for locum tenens due to workforce shortages, economic considerations, and physician burnout.
Dr. Kim underscores that rural and underserved communities increasingly rely on temporary specialists to fill critical gaps, particularly in urology. Industry research indicates that locum tenens is expanding rapidly, with North America leading the market. He describes the financial appeal of locum work, citing competitive compensation models, flexible scheduling, and reduced administrative burdens compared to traditional full-time positions. The role of private equity and healthcare recruitment firms in fueling the locum market is discussed, emphasizing that institutions are willing to offer premium rates and benefits to attract specialists.
Dr. Kim compares locum salaries across different regions and specialties, illustrating how geographic demand drives earnings variation. He explores how technological advances, such as telemedicine, are expanding the scope of locum opportunities, particularly in diagnostic and procedural specialties. He encourages urologists considering retirement or career transitions to explore locum tenens as a viable and rewarding alternative to traditional practice models.
About The 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar:
The Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar is a multi-day meeting focused on training urologists in the latest in assessing, diagnosing, and treating urologic conditions in the clinical setting. Updates are provided on urologic cancers, stone disease, urologic reconstruction, female urology, infertility, sexual function, emerging surgical techniques, and general urology. The 44th iteration of the meeting took place from February 5th to February 8th, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
For further educational activities from this conference, visit our collection page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, is president of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association (SCSAUA), editor-in-chief of AUA NEWS in Portuguese, and associate editor of the Journal of Urology Plus and the Patient Safety in Surgery Journal. Dr. Kim previously served at Denver Health Medical Center where he was chief of urology and has also played a pivotal role in enhancing urological resident rotations by serving as the site residency director and significantly enhancing diversity and inclusion. Dr. Kim earned his MD from the University of São Paulo School of Medicine in São Paolo, Brazil. He was a trauma research fellow at the University of Colorado (CU) Health Sciences Center in Denver and completed an internship in general surgery at the CU Health Sciences Center. Dr. Kim also completed general surgery training at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Illinois and a fellowship in endourology and laparoscopy at the Brady Urological Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland.
Dr. Kim is active in the AUA as part of their leadership program, served as their host country liaison, and was awarded their Presidential Citation for his international relations and contributions to minimally invasive urological surgery. Dr. Kim served as president of the SCSAUA. He also received the Presidential Juscelino Kubitschek Medal from the Society of Brazilian Urology, the Ernest E. Moore Trauma Award, and the Societá Italiana di Urologia International Guest Recognition.