A locum tenens experience may be an effective mechanism by which the academic family physician can periodically enhance his or her clinical skills. This report compares the content of one of the author's locum tenens sessions to that of his university based practice. The locums resulted in an exposure to a concentrated, wide-spectrum practice highlighted by acute medical and surgical problems--in comparison with a more continuity-oriented university profile. Academic family physicians who realize high levels of nonclinical obligations may find the routine scheduling of a locum tenens rotation a valuable clinical adjunct.