 is president of CompHealth, the nation’s largest provider of locum tenens physicians and founder of the traveling physician industry. She joined CompHealth in 2001 as a sales consultant and served in a variety of management roles prior to being named president in 2017. Lisa is passionate about building lasting relationships and helping her team members reach their highest potential.

Lisa Grabl 

The impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare have been far reaching with no immediate end in sight. The stresses this pandemic have put on medicine, however, haven’t changed the medical needs of millions of Americans. As elective care starts to return, we spoke with several organizations around the country to see how they’re meeting the needs of their patients and employees.

The rise of telehealth is an unexpected benefit from the crisis and many facilities have shifted from no virtual appointments to making it a regular part of their practice. One unique use of telehealth came from 

, CEO and president of Margaret Mary Health in Batesville, Indiana. They had an existing telehealth relationship with their school system so doctors could see students with the help of technology and school nurses. When schools shut down due to Covid-19, they were able to utilize that technology to create a temporary respiratory clinic.

“In a rural area it’s tough because internet capabilities are really poor in many of our areas. But we’re thinking right now about remote sites,” said Putnam. “So, if I’ve got a medical assistant and a great internet connection, can a patient visit there instead of going to their primary care physician? I mean, other than the physician not being physically there, my technician or my medical assistant’s there who can draw blood, get vital signs, position the camera appropriately to get an image of an ear or throat or something else. There’s a lot of stuff where we met flat resistance beforehand, now we know it works, so how do we optimize it?”

, DO, chief medical officer for the Michigan Hospital and Health Association and a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, found that his physician colleagues were quick to embrace telehealth and that most are looking at ways to further embrace it. One of the groups within the association went from 100 virtual patient visits a day before the pandemic to as many as 2,000 visits a day after.

 vice president of UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, shared the unique way they’re using telehealth, in which they “offer telehealth critical care services to New York Presbyterian, along with other hospitals inside of our system. I think that's going to be another way that [the industry] sees telehealth grow—not just yourself and not just outpatient, but how can you help others.”

One of the biggest issues with starting elective procedures is letting patients know that it’s safe for them to come back to the hospital or clinic. 

, CEO of Clay County Medical Center in Kansas said:

“I believe patients and consumers are going to be cautious to step into a hospital. It’s already unsettling for them, so I think perception is really going to hinder the things we do in healthcare during this pandemic.”

To help regain patient confidence, they’ve been posting on Facebook and other social media outlets outlining what patients can expect when they come in. They’re also providing patients with masks if they need them.

Dr. Roth found that while his facilities were ready to ramp back up, patients weren’t ready to return. The association started a series of public service announcements with local media outlets to reinforce that it’s safe to come back and to not put off needed care. Communication has been key in building patient confidence and getting them to return, Roth said.

With layoffs, furloughs, and a pandemic, this is as stressful a time for healthcare workers as it is for patients. Maintaining clear communication with employees is key—keeping them updated on what is going on will help to calm fears. Creating more flexibility during this time is also important to keep your employees engaged.

At CompHealth, we found we needed to communicate more often than we were used to. The CEO of our parent company implemented weekly video chats with the entire company as well as sending out regular messages about the status of our business and working from home.

Whether you’re meeting in person or virtually, it’s important to create avenues to both share information and receive feedback from employees.

Healthcare facilities are implementing similar efforts. Austin Gillard said. “I feel like I’ve increased my daily presence through department rounding dramatically. I’m out on the floor more seeing how everyone’s doing, just for their mental health, because I feel like it’s not only challenging for them at work, but their lives have changed. When I talk with our team members, everyone tries to seem happy. A lot of them aren’t used to having their kids home as school has moved online, so they’ve had to adjust their own lives.”

Whether you’re meeting in person or virtually, it’s important to create avenues to both share information and receive feedback from employees. Surveys or anonymous comment forms on your intranet are another way to keep the pulse of your employees and learn how they’re handling the pandemic, their work, and their personal lives. Listening and implementing changes based on what you’re hearing will help keep your employees engaged in their work while staying focused on your patients.

, the nation’s largest provider of locum tenens physicians and founder of the traveling physician industry. She joined CompHealth in 2001 as a sales consultant and served in a variety of management roles prior to being named president in 2017. Lisa is passionate about building lasting relationships and helping her team members reach their highest potential.

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Leaders from several organizations explain how they’re meeting the needs of their patients and employees.

Three ways healthcare facilities are rebounding from COVID-19

The locum tenens industry first started in 1979. Since then it has become an integral part of healthcare by helping keep facilities appropriately staffed to deliver the best patient care. We’re currently facing a healthcare crisis unseen in modern times and the need for locums has never been stronger. 

The COVID-19 crisis is impacting the healthcare community from two sides: demand for care and a high risk of healthcare worker illness. Under normal conditions, the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of physicians, a predicted shortfall of 46,900 to 121,900 

. The shortage will become more pronounced as the influx of COVID-19 patients increases. For example, California is already projecting the need for a minimum of 

. Locums will be crucial to meet this increased demand. 

HIPAA, telehealth, and managing billing staff working remotely

Nurse practitioner Kelly Lueck has been working a Locums assignment in New York since mid-March, helping with the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The need for locums in New York has been extremely high.

“The rooms in the entire ER are doubled up, tripled up, and they are all COVID. I am in a level one trauma center, and even the COVIDs are coming in as traumas. Everyone that comes in, regardless of reason is testing positive for COVID. Someone with an appendicitis came in and it was a positive COVID. It is the craziest thing I have ever seen,” said Lueck.

With healthcare providers on the front lines fighting against a disease for which there is no natural immunity, cases of infection amongst providers are rising and preventing them from delivering care due to quarantine or recovery. A doctor at a major New York hospital shared that as of March 30 more than 

 have fallen sick. Hospitals will need locums to help maintain coverage as those sick take time to heal.

While facilities are adapting to this crisis so is the Locum tenens industry. We are being as agile as we can as we strive to meet the needs of facilities across the country. We’re speeding up all of processes, helping some physicians to find jobs outside their specialty, and even placing some at-risk physicians in telemedicine options so they can still help in the fight. 

With high infection rates and a lack of tests, almost every community needs additional support. Rural communities in particular report they are 

concerned about their ability to handle the increase in demand

 because their populations are generally older and sicker than those in urban areas and they have less access to care.  

Locum tenens physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs are needed nationwide and in their own communities as well. Locum tenens work is often associated with extensive travel, but locum providers don’t have to travel across the country for assignments. Many locums can work locally by taking additional shifts at a nearby hospital or care facility within driving distance. 

Locums also are well adapted to quickly working. In a recent 

“But a pandemic really shed another light on yet another incredible facet of locums work: we are trained-through this model-to parachute into any environment, EMR, or situation and be highly functional to optimize patient care. Need me in New York? I’ll be packed and on that flight. You have that Electronic Medical Record? I can learn it fast. That’s how you admit? That’s how my other hospitals do it. You’ve got that ultrasound machine? No problem, I’ll watch a YouTube video on how to operate it. No scribes? That’s not an issue, most of my places lack them. I am on my own for emergent airways and traumas? No sweat, that’s a typical day for me.” 

For 40 years locums have been helping facilities deliver quality healthcare to those who need it. These hard-working physicians, PAs, and nurse practitioners are working across the country to provide support to overburdened healthcare systems. Now, more than ever, locum tenens providers are crucial to our healthcare system and are a playing a vital part in ensuring as many people receive care as possible during this crisis.

How the program is assisting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Locum tenens are crucial during a time of crisis

Have you ever dreamed of quitting your job to go live on a beach in some foreign locale? Or have you always wanted to travel to exotic destinations, but just don’t have the time? It’s possible to combine both of these dreams while you continue to practice medicine: international Locum Tenens assignments allow physicians from the U.S. to practice in places as far reaching as Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada.

Finding the right time for international work

International Locums works a little differently than domestic Locums assignments. When working Locums in the states, you can often pick up a shift here or there in addition to your full-time job or you can work Locums exclusively and travel between a variety of shifts. For international Locums assignments, you commit to working full-time in a particular location, usually for six months or longer. 

Doing international Locums is a big commitment and is usually going to be easier to do when you have a natural change in your career. It’s easier to try international work right after residency, before starting a full-time gig, when you’re between contracts, after selling a private practice, or when you are transitioning into retirement.

RVUs: The basics of physician compensation

You are welcome to bring your family with you on international assignments; and if you have school aged children, you are encouraged to enroll them in the local schools. It’s important to check out schools before you go. For example, in New Zealand and Australia the school year starts in January and you will likely want to keep the kids in school for at least a year. 

 had the opportunity to take his family to New Zealand including his three teenage sons. 

“All three children go to school in New Zealand, they have wonderful public schools, the schools are very welcoming to international students. In fact, New Zealand is well known for taking students from many cultures and so they go to school not only with New Zealand students but also students from India, Pakistan, China, Japan, South Africa, England, so they have a very international experience,” said Dr. Gallehr. “It’s a lot of fun to go on a Locums experience with the family. A part of going on a Locums experience is being in another country and it sure helps to have the family around. It’s nice to come home to the family and be with everyone and experience the country through their eyes as well.”  

Pets are another question. If you want to bring an animal friend with you, they may have to spend time in quarantine upon arrival for a few weeks before you can bring them home. 

It’s important when finding an international assignment to plan to live like a local: you will have housing and transportation provided in the town where you work and will act just like a local physician working in the same setting. You are often going to be in places that need your help. Living like a local also means being paid local rates for your services, which are often less pay than you would make working a Locums assignment in the states.  

In addition, the housing, transportation, and medical facilities may be less sophisticated than what you are used to. While everything will be nice, clean, and comfortable, it may be more modest than what you are used to at home. 

“The term hospitalist doesn’t translate; nobody really knows what that is. But one thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much research you do, you have to prepare to be adaptable and flexible.” says 

, who moved his family to New Zealand for more than a year. “This is an entirely different type of system than the U.S. in that there’s no financial or profit-based motive behind healthcare. There are limited resources, and the driving factor seems to be the allocation of resources, so most people have access to healthcare. This is a very positive experience for me.”

A benefit of living like a local is that since you are working full-time you usually get vacation time that you can use to explore your location or neighboring cities or countries. From day trips to see an incredible waterfall to scuba diving throughout the Pacific there are countless opportunities for you to explore while on your assignment. Many physicians will also use the time before or after the assignment for bigger chances to explore the world. 

Simultaneously reduce burnout and boost your bottom line

Once you’ve decided an international job is for you, it’s time to find an opening. You can search job boards of foreign facilities you would be interested in but know that local hospitals may not be open to foreign physicians or be willing to help you with the licensing and visa process. They also may not be willing to pay for housing or transportation.  

The other option is to go through an international Locums staffing agency. Currently, the only U.S. based international Locums agency is 

. They will help you identify a location, help with licensing and visa issues, and usually pay for housing and transportation. 

, the nation’s largest provider of locum tenens physicians and founder of the traveling physician industry. CompHealth is part of the 

 family of companies which also includes 

, the country’s only international locum tenens staffing agency.

Practice medicine while you travel the world with international Locums Tenens

Take your practice of medicine overseas

We live in a review-based society. You ask a friend for restaurant recommendations, you check star ratings before you make that Amazon purchase, and you go deep on user reviews before you book a hotel or vacation rental. Healthcare often goes a step further with more and more health systems and insurers switching to value-based care to determine reimbursements.

For physicians in private practice utilizing reviews and making positive changes based on feedback is a great way to keep insurance reimbursements high, your business moving in a positive direction, and make your patients happy. 

 about how listening to your staff can help keep your employees engaged and happy. The same goes for your patients. When a patient feels you are really listening, both in clinical settings and in online reviews, feedback forms, and surveys, you will start to build trust. They are coming to you with the most important thing in their lives, either their own health or the health of their loved ones. Trust is integral to building a solid physician/patient relationship and listening and acting on feedback is a great way to build that trust. 

Meeting with a patient in person is the best opportunity you have to build trust. This can be done in a few simple ways. First, start with a welcoming atmosphere in your practice. From the set-up of your waiting room to your front desk staff, ensure patients feel welcome. 

Once you are meeting with a patient one-on-one, it is important to take the time to let them explain their concerns. Often, when we feel we have the answer to a problem we want to just jump in and do it. Even if you have a good idea of the issue and how to treat it, it is important the patient feels listened to. 

You also don’t want to appear rushed. While you may be under time crunches, don’t let the patient see that side of the business. You need to be 100 percent focused on them while you are meeting. If you are late to their appointment it helps to acknowledge the time they have been waiting, apologize, and then focus entirely on them. 

A little personality also goes a long way. Utilizing appropriate humor or personal anecdotes help to build rapport and alleviate stress and anxiety. 

The effects of nurse practitioners replacing physicians

You have an online presence whether you are aware of it or not. Countless sites like 

 provide reviews of physicians, insurance information, addresses and phone numbers, and more. 

 is doing the same thing. Personalizing these listings and keeping them up to date can help you find new patients and offers a brief glimpse into who you are and what you can offer your patients. 

If you haven’t done it recently, just Google your name and see what comes up. You may be surprised with how many places you live online. 

It is equally important your practice has its own website and social media sites. Your patients need to be able to find and interact with your practice online. If you are not there, you are missing out on potential business. 

Online reviews are great for patients looking for a new physician. If you have built trust with your patients, they will hopefully give you positive reviews. If you need more reviews, there is nothing wrong with encouraging patients to leave them. If you have specific sites you want them to leave reviews on, tell them. 

Replying to reviews could potentially be a full-time job. You don’t need to feel obligated to reply to everyone; however, it is important to reply if questions are being asked or if the review is negative. When replying, make sure to never be defensive or even worse, offensive. The goal in replying to a review is less for that reviewer and more for others who may read them. Remembering that HIPAA doesn’t allow you to share any personal information, your best bet is acknowledging their experience and if possible, positively encouraging them to reach out to your office directly to discuss. 

Supplying patients with a feedback form or sending them an online survey is a great way to receive direct feedback. You can utilize multiple choice questionnaires, ask about their experience with the front desk and the physician, or just let it be an open-ended question about their visit. Regardless of how you ask for the feedback, the most important thing you can do is use it in your future plans. Showing that you have made positive changes based on patient feedback is another way to build trust. Hearing what patients really feel also reaffirms the positive things you are doing and helps you to see ways you can make the patient experience better. 

It’s important to remember that feedback and reviews are positive things, even when they say things that are hard to hear, utilize them to improve your patient interactions and make your practice better.

Get insight into positive changes you and your practice can make.

Author | Lisa Grabl

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