I was just wondering being a solo doc myself. When I go on vacation, I send my patients to other covering doctors and I will check in by internet, my messages and fax inbox.
Downside of this is I have to check in and never get a chance to go on vacation without thinking about the office.
I was thinking of doing the locum tenens route. At least they can check the labs and do the messages. This way I can take longer vacations and not worry about the office while I am gone.
What does everyone else do when they want to go on vacation?
I handle things pretty much the same way you do. Yes it's a drag to contact the office but generally it takes me less than 5 or 10 minutes and then I can relax. There are some days I tell the office I just plain won't be available but the staff does have pretty clear routines on how to handle things so it's not a big problem. The biggest issue is usually controlled substance refills, which the doctors covering for me don't want to handle and I can't blame them.
Locum tenens is way too expensive and I don't even consider it.
