This shortage is a result of several factors, including age. With baby boomers steadily approaching retirement, many younger neurologists entering the specialty have differing work-life priorities when compared to their older counterparts. Work-life balance holds heavy importance to many millennials. Working fewer hours and seeing fewer patients; facilities find themselves scrambling to fill gaps. In the United States, 40 states report shortages of neurologists, and those states that report an adequate supply overall may often report limited access to neurologic care. This is especially true when concerning rural areas. Combating this shortage requires inventive care solutions and staffing strategies.
Staffing with Advanced Practice Providers while utilizing the advantages of telehealth is an example of those solutions utilized at LocumTenens.com and in the field of Neurology. Facilities need reliable tools to ensure uninterrupted patient care. Integrating APPs into neurological care provides multiple benefits, including reduced healthcare costs, expanded patient access, and easing pressures on existing staff. APPs are able to provide an array of comprehensive services such as diagnoses, prescribing medications, and conducting research. Enhancing neurology staffing with APPs is an efficient way to ensure patient care while growing facility services and maintaining costs, scheduling, and coverage. Telehealth is another way to safeguard these services and trusted care. With implementing telehealth, facilities are further able to custom-tailor their care and coverage to fit within their existing models, as well as utilize the advantages of APPs. The advantages of telehealth services allow for extensive coverage and care to areas needing fast, effective solutions.
Partnering with LocumTenens.com means having a trusted partner with consultative solutions. As neurologist shortages and demand continue to grow, contact one of our account representatives to explore what options are best for your facility today.
About the author
Jeremy Alexander
Vice President, Neurology and Physiatry
Jeremy Alexander is vice president of LocumTenens.com’s Neurology and Physiatry divisions. He joined the company as an account representative in 2005 before transitioning into a sales account executive role and senior account executive role in 2012. He was promoted to managing director in 2015 and again in 2020 to oversee the neurology team. Jeremy graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in broadcasting and a double minor in journalism and political science. He has won numerous awards while at LocumTenens.com, including Manager of the Month, Producer of the Month, Sales Associate of the Year and the MAX Award for Psychiatry, and he is a member of the 20-Million-Dollar Gross Profit Club. He lives in Alpharetta with his wife, their three children, two dogs and one cat.
