UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) with our quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is a locum in the medical field?

A patient in recovery
A doctor covering for another
A medical assistant
An administrative role

The correct answer is: A doctor covering for another

A locum in the medical field refers specifically to a doctor who is temporarily filling in for another doctor. This practice allows healthcare facilities to maintain staffing levels when a regular physician is unavailable due to reasons such as illness, vacation, or extensive workload. Locum tenens, the full term for this role, emphasizes flexibility and the ability to provide care in various settings, which is crucial in ensuring continuity of patient care. The term does not pertain to patients in recovery, roles filled by medical assistants, or administrative positions, as these options describe entirely different responsibilities within healthcare. The function of a locum is focused on the clinical and direct patient care side, making it distinctive as a professional role within the medical workforce.