A survey conducted by Med Travelers, a therapist staffing firm, reports that a growing number of hospitals are looking for temporary (that is, traveling) therapists to supplement their staff. 

The survey asked 121 hospital therapy department managers about their use of temporary physical and occupational therapists. One-third of those surveyed indicated that their hospitals had used temporary therapists to supplement their existing staff sometime during the last 12 months. More than half said they are currently looking for temporary therapists.

"The health care workforce, including therapists, is an increasingly mobile one,” says John Moberly, vice president of Med Travelers. "Temporary therapists are filling gaps and maintaining services while hospitals and other employers seek permanent additions to their staff.” 

Of those surveyed, 81% said they would use temporary therapists to maintain services while seeking permanent staff and 69% said they would use temporary therapists to fill in for vacationing staff. In addition, 74% of those surveyed said they expected the demand for therapists to increase in the next 1 to 3 years.

The survey asked physical and occupational therapists working on a temporary basis about their experiences. More than half of those surveyed indicated that working as a temporary therapist was more satisfying than working in a permanent position. According to the results, 77% said they are attracted to temp work by higher pay and the opportunity to travel, 100% of those surveyed reported feeling accepted by patients, and 98% said they are accepted by staff therapists.