EVALUATION OF MEDICAL LOCUM TENENS

The medical and educational literature reveals no helpful material on applying quality assurance principles to the evaluation of medical locums tenens. The present preliminary study describes the development and analysis of a questionnaire designed to indicate measures of competence in locums and satisfaction by those who supervise them. The sample consisted of 53 doctors recruited from overseas by a single locums agency. No similar studies have been reported and further research would elucidate whether locums who have trained overseas and those trained in Australia are regarded as equally acceptable and competent. Very high scores confirm the perceived skills and knowledge of the locums to be excellent. An overall rating above 4.5 out of 5 and the fact that 41 of 53 doctors had ratings entirely in the 4–5 range indicates that these locums have received excellent acceptance and are regarded as competent.