The Growing Challenge
Healthcare leaders nationwide are grappling with the perfect storm of rising patient demands, an aging physician workforce, and persistent shortages in critical specialties. According to recent data, the gap between supply and demand is widening in anesthesiology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, and OB/GYN. These gaps are especially noticed in the South and rural regions.
Key drivers:
- Aging physician workforce and retirements outpacing physicians entering the workforce.
- Burnout and attrition from high stress and administrative burdens.
- Limited residency and fellowship slots.
- Uneven geographic distribution, with rural areas hit the hardest.
- Pandemic aftershocks accelerating exits from the workforce.
Trends we're seeing, and what the data tells us:
- Southern and Western states face the largest shortages.
- Rural shortages require different tactics (telehealth, locum tenens bridges, incentives) compared to metro areas.
- Time-to-fill is increasing, making early searches and locums tenens essential.
- Hybrid and flexible roles are in demand, especially in psychiatry.
Problem
Staff burnout and turnover.
How Locum Tenens Helps
Reduces overtime, allows for more time off.
Long patient wait times.
Fills gaps faster and maintains access to care.
Revenue loss from vacancies.
Keeps service lines open, protects revenue.
Rural coverage challenges.
Bridges hard-to-fill roles, supports telehealth options.
Recruitment delays.
Can provide faster access to coverage while sourcing permanent physicians.
Locum Tenens Solutions
Problem: Staff burnout and turnover.
How locum tenens helps: Reduces overtime, allows for more time off.
Problem: Long patient wait times.
How locum tenens helps: Fills gaps faster and maintains access to care.
Problem: Revenue loss from vacancies.
How locum tenens helps: Keeps service lines open, protects revenue.
Problem: Rural coverage challenges.
How locum tenens helps: Bridges hard-to-fill roles, supports telehealth options.
Problem: Recruitment delays.
How locum tenens helps: Can provide faster access to coverage while sourcing permanent physicians.
Specialty Spotlights: Data, Impact, and Solutions
Anesthesiology
- Data insight: In 2025, the U.S. faces a shortage of over 2,800 anesthesiologists, with the largest gaps in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona. Metro areas hold most of the supply, but rural and inland regions are critically understaffed.
- Why it matters: Anesthesia shortages directly constrain surgical capacity.
- Problem: Delayed surgeries, increased staff burnout, patients missing critical care, and lost revenue from empty ORs.
- Locums solution: Locums can provide quick coverage, protect OR schedules, and allow for a flexible call model. They are essential for bridging gaps while permanent staff are onboarded.
Gastroenterology
- Data insight: The South and fast-growing Western states face the biggest GI shortages. Rural areas are hit especially hard, with nearly 1,900 more needed in 2025 alone.
- Why it matters: GI shortages lead to screening backlogs, long waits for advanced procedures, and downstream impacts on quality metrics.
- Problem: Delayed colonoscopies, lost referrals, and patient dissatisfaction.
- Locums solution: Locums can fill both general GI and advanced roles, helping your facility maintain screening volume and complex care procedures.
Psychiatry
- Data insight: By 2030, the psychiatry shortage will exceed 30,000 providers. The South and rural states are most affected, with Texas and Florida leading in demand.
- Why it matters: Psychiatrist shortages result in longer inpatient stays and long waits for outpatient follow-up. This directly impacts patient safety and operational flow.
- Problem: Inadequate mental health coverage, staff burnout, and increased patient risks.
- Locums solution: Telepsychiatry and hybrid locum roles may help stabilize access, decrease wait times, and support your permanent staff.
OB/GYN
- Data insight: The South shows the largest average OB/GYN shortages, with rural shortages threatening local maternity access. Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Florida are especially impacted.
- Why it matters: OB/GYN staffing stability is essential for on-time labor and delivery coverage, maternal outcomes, and helping patients avoid travel when in need of care.
- Problem: Patients have to travel far for basic care needs, and staff burnout.
- Locums solution: Locums OB/GYN physicians can help you protect coverage while you build up your permanent staff.
Action Steps for Leaders
- Prioritize high-need states and specialties for active searches.
- Leverage locums as a pipeline to help protect coverage while creating permanent teams.
- Offer flexible schedules and hybrid roles to attract talent.
- Partner with a consultative locum tenens agency. We bring market expertise and a tailored approach to your facility’s unique needs.
Ready to Build Your Staffing Strategy?
Smart locum tenens strategies are essential for solving today’s staffing gaps and for positioning your facility for long-term sustainability. Connect with us to build a flexible, data-driven staffing plan that keeps your facility healthy, your staff supported, and your patients cared for.
