According to the French Medical Council (CNOM), the share of permanent employment among active physicians has been steadily decreasing since 2010, while a growing proportion of young physicians are choosing to work as locums. The objective of this survey was to describe the population of locum primary care physicians (PCPs) in France in 2022, and to characterize their professional activity.

This was a retrospective quantitative observational survey using an online self-administered questionnaire, distributed by email and social media.

624 responses were collected, and 612 were included in the study. 72% of the PCPs in our sample were women, their average age was 33 years, and 75% had defended their PhD thesis. 77% worked solely in private practice, 79% in associate medical offices. 73% performed at least one regular locum shift. The study participants covered for an average of 7 physicians per year, worked nearly 32 weeks per year, and 7 half-days per week. 45% worked 8 half-days or more per week. 44% participated in after-hours outpatient care. The overall health of the respondents was fairly good, with an average self-rating of 7.6/10, but their mental health was less good. Finally, 59% of the physicians responding to the questionnaire reported wanting to secure permanent employment.

Representative data of locum PCPs are rare. In this study, they report a significant level of activity that points to them being an essential link in the continuity of care, and, contrary to popular belief, an asset for established physicians. It would be interesting to study what young primary care physicians want to see in relation to their future practice and their professional life, within a changing health care system.