Introduction
In 2025, telehealth has solidified its place as a vital tool in healthcare delivery, and hospital administrators are at the forefront of this transformation. With patient demand for virtual care soaring and staffing shortages persisting, integrating telehealth into your workforce strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential. Locum tenens physicians, with their flexibility and adaptability, offer a powerful solution to scale your telehealth capabilities. Here’s how you can harness this trend to meet your facility’s needs and lead in the virtual care era.
The Telehealth Boom: What It Means for Hospitals
Telehealth has evolved from a stopgap to a strategic asset. The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that telehealth usage remains 20 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, with patients expecting virtual options across specialties like psychiatry, dermatology, and chronic disease management. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded reimbursement for telehealth services, making it a financially viable piece of your care delivery puzzle. For administrators, this growth signals an opportunity to optimize staffing and extend services without overtaxing your permanent workforce.
Why Locum Tenens Physicians Are Your Telehealth Allies
Locum tenens providers bring unique advantages to your telehealth strategy:
- Rapid Scalability: Need to launch a telepsychiatry program or cover a surge in remote consults? Locums can step in quickly, no long-term commitment required.
- Specialized Expertise: Many locums are adept in high-demand fields, filling gaps in specialties where telehealth is gaining traction.
- Cost Efficiency: Virtual locum assignments reduce travel and housing costs, stretching your budget further while maintaining care quality.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) emphasizes telehealth’s role in serving rural communities—60 million Americans strong—where locums often bridge staffing gaps, making them a natural fit for your virtual expansion.
Challenges to Address
Integrating locum tenens into telehealth isn’t without hurdles:
- Tech Alignment: Your facility’s platform—whether Zoom, Doxy.me, or a custom system—must sync with locums’ capabilities. Clear onboarding is key.
- Regulatory Compliance: Telehealth laws differ by state, and locums must be licensed appropriately. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) tracks these policies, but your credentialing team will need to stay sharp.
- Workflow Integration: Virtual providers must mesh with your in-person staff to ensure seamless patient handoffs.
Actionable Steps to Build Your Telehealth Workforce
Ready to make locum tenens your telehealth edge? Here’s how:
- Prioritize Training: Partner with locums who’ve completed telehealth certifications, like those offered by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), to hit the ground running.
- Invest in Infrastructure: Equip your facility with reliable telehealth tools. CMS’s telehealth resource page highlights hybrid models that blend virtual and on-site care—a growing trend in 2025.
- Target Flexible Talent: Seek locums who can handle hybrid roles, combining remote consults with occasional in-person shifts.
- Monitor Outcomes: Use resources like the CDC’s telehealth guidance to align virtual care with public health standards and track patient satisfaction.
Conclusion
Telehealth is your hospital’s next frontier, and locum tenens physicians are the key to unlocking its potential. By tapping into their flexibility, expertise, and readiness for virtual care, you can address staffing shortages, expand services, and keep pace with patient expectations—all while optimizing costs. Don’t wait to build your telehealth-ready team. Partner with XLocums to find your next telehealth provider and meet your facility’s staffing needs with confidence.
