This generation, and younger Gen X doctors, are placing a greater emphasis on time off and the ever-elusive work-life balance while prioritizing independence over working for hospitals when possible.

According to Visier, the first quarter of 2021 and 2022 saw the highest increase in resignations among persons aged 40 to 60 or those with more than ten years experience. And if you are thinking that this is only limited to business owners, restaurants, or retailers, then you had it wrong. Physicians who felt the rage of COVID are also suffering.

If you are doctor struggling with your work and social life, there is a way to find balance between the two. However, it's not as easy as reading this article. Just like any routine or habit, it takes practice, commitment, and consistency.

Please check out this 20 minute interview with Colin Zhu, DO, Locum Tenens physician, chef, and health guru. Colin discusses his brand, “thechefdoc.” He is also certified as a coach and board-certified in lifestyle medicine and has a podcast. Colin helps people understand more about their bodies and achieve wellness. He recently launched a masterclass series available at thr5 medicine.

The shortage of healthcare workers has been a long-standing issue that was further emphasized by the Covid-19 pandemic that put a greater toll on the lives of medical professionals. As a result, many physicians have suffered from extreme stress and burnout; resignations of full-time physicians caused some clinics to close down and some local hospitals put their workers on longer shifts with increased patient counts.

Physicians choose to work locum tenens for many reasons, whether it’s for a change of pace, extra income, work/life balance, or more freedom to travel. We’ve found six doctors who’ve embraced their adventurous sides and regularly share their experiences on Instagram. Check out these physicians’ Instagram accounts to add some new life to your own Instagram feed.

In this “Ask Me Anything” webinar, Dr. Rip Patel is joined by neurologist Dr. Andrew Wilner and family medicine physician Dr. Colin Zhu to discuss how working locum tenens allowed them to pursue medical jobs outside of clinical medicine. For Dr. Wilner, a love of writing led to a career as a medical journalist and author in addition to his work as neurologist. Dr. Colin Zhu, also known as TheChefDoc, focuses on using food as medicine and other ways to thrive in your life and works as a podcast host, motivational speaker, and now a virtual summit host/director.

This year, you need more sleep. With the coronavirus dominating headlines and physicians always encouraging us to be physically active and eat healthy, it’s easy to forget the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep.

As far as I can remember, I do not recall any one person telling me about locum tenens, but it was the sixth month of my second year of family practice residency training when I first heard about it. All of my colleagues were either contemplating staying in Connecticut (where I trained) or working for our local hospital. Personally, working for a hospital system or starting my own practice was neither attractive nor did either resonate with me at the time.

The mission trip was family physician Dr. Joann Kim’s first. It was the fourth trip for family practitioner, Dr. Colin Zhu, but his first to Cambodia. Drs. Kim and Zhu were among six locum tenens providers who traveled to Cambodia on a recent medical mission.

Dr. Colin Zhu is a family practice osteopath whose mother is a practicing physician in China, so the holistic approach to medicine was instilled in him from an early age.

After finishing medical school and his family medicine residency, Colin Zhu, DO, realized that the logical next step in his career—signing an employment contract or setting up his own practice—was not for him.

I work locum tenens because I enjoy the work that I do. I give quality service to the patients that I do because locum tenens is a great vehicle and handles all the other stresses that I don’t need to necessarily need to be put on if I was employed somewhere or have to fulfill someone else’s agenda. I get to dictate my own lifestyle, and I also dictate myself as a professional and also as a physician.