Locum Tenens: What IS Rural Healthcare?
So… What IS Rural Healthcare, Really?
We’re not just talking about dictionary definitions here. Sure, at its core, rural healthcare means caring for patients in non-metropolitan, often underserved areas. But it’s also so much more than that.
Ask ten providers what rural healthcare means, and you’ll get ten different answers — and that’s kind of the point.
In this article, we break down the stigma that sometimes surrounds rural medicine and explore definitions that go beyond the obvious. What does it really look like to practice rural healthcare? And would you, a curious, prospective provider, be a good fit?
Rural healthcare is adaptable care in widely varied settings. It means showing up, physically and emotionally, to practice in places where care might not exist otherwise. At WMS, we define it less by geography and more by necessity: What does the community need? Who will step in to meet those needs?
This isn’t your average healthcare setting. These aren’t your “normal” jobs. It can be demanding work, yes, but the professional rewards are just as unique as the challenges.
Rural vs. Remote: What’s the Difference (and Does It Matter?)
“Rural” and “remote” aren’t just buzzwords. They shape everything about the provider and patient experience — from how you get to your assignment, to the level of care you can offer, to the resources you’ll have on hand once you’re there.
At WMS, we do sometimes use these words interchangeably when we talk about “non-metro” areas. But in practice, they carry important distinctions.
Rural communities typically have road access and, while it may still be inconvenient, some connection to specialty care or larger facilities. You might be within a few hours of an equipped care center — or at least able to drive to one. As our Director of Recruiting, Tiffanie Davis, put it: “Rural is on a road system. It’s maybe a small community, but probably within a few hours of a tertiary care center.”
Remote communities are another story. These areas are often off the road system entirely. You might need to take a bush plane, ferry, snow machine, or boat to get in; and that goes for your patients, too. In many of these towns, people don’t even have driver’s licenses because there are no roads to drive on. WMS Founder, Mary Ellen Doty, NP, has lived experience in this area. She mentions that “our village clinic sites in Alaska are considered remote because the only way to get to them is by small plane, or sometimes boat.”
These travel limitations also impact everyday essentials. Groceries, internet, mail — things most of us take for granted — aren’t always available or reliable. And when you’re on assignment, that affects you too.
Providers interested in remote healthcare should take these factors into account. It’s important to consider your own comfort level with isolation, logistics, and independence. In rural areas, you’ll likely have more backup and support. In remote ones, you may need to rely more heavily on your own resourcefulness, which can be just as rewarding as it is challenging.
What Surprises New Rural and Remote Providers the Most
It’s not always the wilderness, logistics, or workload that catch providers off guard — it’s how deeply the work matters.
In metro hospitals or urban clinics, provider shortages are real, but coverage is constant. There’s always another shift, another team, another provider. In rural and remote communities, that frequently isn’t the case. Locum tenens providers often help keep entire communities functioning; and that responsibility feels different.
Sometimes, depending on the site, you may be the only provider there. That realization can be shocking at first, but also incredibly empowering. You’re there because a community trusts that you, alone, can provide the care they need. “The providers are the lifeline of those communities.” — Mary Ellen Doty.
That also means you may be working without the layers of support you’re used to in a larger system. There may not be a lot of ancillary staff to help you.
Still, remote work doesn’t necessarily mean overwhelming volume. In fact, many providers find the pace refreshing. Smaller communities mean fewer patients, and more time to actually practice medicine. You can sit with your patients, listen fully, and use your autonomy in ways that many urban providers don’t often experience.
And one more surprise? The welcome you’ll receive. Mary Ellen says this about her experience in rural and remote care: “I was always surprised — and pleasantly so — by the welcome I got from each community, even if I was only there for the weekend.” Even short-term coverage is deeply appreciated, and that gratitude stays with you.
Yes, It’s Hard — But It’s Worth It
You will work hard. But you’ll never question why you’re doing the work. The community, with its people, its needs, its gratitude — will remind you of your “why” every single day. If you want to read an example of an especially compelling provider “why,” check out this story.
In rural and remote assignments, resource limitations are real. You may face challenges with staffing, access to equipment, or the ability to consult a specialist. But those limitations don’t define the experience: they shape it. With a little ingenuity, workarounds emerge. Your training, adaptability, and creativity become your most valuable tools.
And the impact? It’s direct, visible, and often life-changing. Your presence may be the reason a patient receives care at all. That kind of impact is rare, and it’s one of the reasons many providers say the hard work is worth every minute.
More Than Medicine: Connection, Slower Days & Real Gratitude
Some of the most powerful moments you’ll experience as a provider don’t even happen in the exam room. They might take place at the post office, in the grocery store (if there is one), on a hiking trail, or during a visit to the village rec center.
Yes, you may be on call. But like we mentioned earlier, lower patient volume often means you won’t be working around the clock. You’ll have slower days; time to breathe, explore, and settle into the rhythm of the community. And most importantly, you’ll have time to truly care for your patients. Not just treat their complaints. Providers like Mary Ellen find that “it is such a pleasure to have the time to take with each patient — which is most often the case in rural hospitals.”
Rural and remote communities remember their providers. Even after you’re gone, people may ask for you by name. And when you return, you’ll be welcomed back with open arms. That continuity, even in short bursts, helps strengthen long-term care for the whole community. Small-town people are friendly, open, welcoming, and they appreciate everything providers do for them.
This is what we mean when we say rural medicine is relational, not transactional. If you’re searching for “meaningful medicine,” — this is it.
Is This for You? Let’s Find Out.
You don’t have to know for sure, but if even part of you is curious, this quick check might help.
Mini Quiz: Rural Ready?
For each of the following, answer Yes or No:
- I’m comfortable practicing independently while knowing I can still reach out to support systems when needed.
- I’m energized by variety and don’t mind handling a wide range of cases.
- I find meaning in helping underserved or overlooked communities.
- I value time with my patients over fast-paced, high-volume environments.
- I’m comfortable with a little unpredictability and figuring things out on the fly.
- I’d trade access to a Starbucks for a shot at Northern Lights, solitude, mountains, or local cuisine.
- I want to feel like I’m making a real difference at the end of each day.
How’d You Do?
- 5–7 Yeses: You’re probably more rural-ready than you think. This kind of care might be exactly what you’re looking for, whether you knew it or not.
- 3–4 Yeses: You’ve got some traits that align. With the right support and preparation, you could thrive in the right rural/remote setting.
- 0–2 Yeses: You may prefer more structured or urban environments; but if curiosity brought you this far, it might be worth exploring anyway.
Rural and remote locum-tenens healthcare isn’t for everyone, but for the right provider, it’s life-changing work. Hesitation or uncertainty is completely normal, especially if you’re early in your career, haven’t done a rural assignment yet, or haven’t had to do things like intubations on your own. Many of our providers thought they weren’t cut out for this… until they tried it.
Conclusion
Rural healthcare isn’t easy — but it’s real, human, deeply impactful medicine. It’s for the adaptable, the curious, the ones who want to do more than punch a clock.
If that sounds like you, even just a little, there’s room for you out here. And we’d love to help you find your way.
If something in this article sparked your interest, you might be more ready than you realize. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our recruiters and see if you’re a good fit — or how you could become one with a little more experience.
