Key Points
- Locum tenens is most effective when used proactively, not just reactively. Organizations increasingly incorporate locums into workforce planning to maintain stability, flexibility, and continuity of care. Â
- Strategic locum coverage helps offset physician shortages and burnout. By reducing staffing gaps and supporting existing teams, organizations can maintain patient access while improving clinician well-being.Â
- Workforce plans that include locums can adapt more quickly to changing demand. Locum tenens supports seasonal fluctuations, service line growth, planned absences, and unexpected surges in patient volume.Â
- Strong staffing partnerships create long-term workforce resilience. The right locum tenens partner can provide market intelligence, workforce insights, and strategic guidance that supports sustainable growth.Â
Healthcare organizations today are navigating a workforce landscape shaped by persistent physician shortages, rising burnout, and evolving patient demand. As a result, many leaders are reevaluating their healthcare workforce planning strategies and shifting to more sustainable clinician staffing solutions.  Â
Locum tenens is often thought of as a short-term solution or a quick fix, but it is much more than that. It is an effective staffing strategy that drives stability, flexibility, and long-term success, and it plays a more prominent role in workforce planning. In fact, 88% of hospitals, medical groups, and other healthcare facilities have incorporated locums into their workforce planning to address staffing shortages in the past 12 months.  Â
88% of hospitals, medical groups, and other healthcare facilities have incorporated locums tenens into their workforce planning to address staffing shortages.
When integrated intentionally, locum tenens can help organizations improve access to care, stabilize operations, and build the flexibility needed to respond to ongoing change. 
Moving Beyond Short-Term Coverage
Historically, locum tenens clinicians have been used in last-minute situations when there was a staffing shortage due to vacancies, leaves of absence, or unexpected demand spikes. While this reactive approach still has value, there is a more effective way to utilize locums to strengthen workforce planning. Â
To address physician shortages, reduce burnout, and meet growing patient demand, organizations must take a proactive approach to workforce planning that anticipates staffing changes and future care needs. This can be achieved by strategically using locum tenens as a key part of workforce strategy.  This proactive approach is especially important when considering the time and complexity involved in securing permanent physicians and advanced practitioners. Â
It can take significant time to recruit clinicians, with vacancies lasting between 150 and 230 days depending on market conditions and specialty. Integrating locum tenens into workforce planning helps organizations meet patient demand, reduce the operational and financial strain of vacancies, and maintain continuity of care during periods of change.  
Addressing Workforce Shortages with Flexibility  
The demand for physicians continues to grow, while supply remains limited. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Â
When organizations rely solely on permanent staffing, maintaining consistent coverage can become challenging, especially as clinician burnout continues to increase. With a national burnout rate of 42% reported in 2025, this pressure continues to grow across the healthcare workforce. Locum tenens helps by creating workplace flexibility, allowing clinicians to choose when and where they work and reduce long-term strain. Â
Healthcare organizations that implement locum tenens into their workforce planning can: Â
- Maintain consistent patient access.  Â
- Reduce the burden on full-time clinicians.  Â
- Support staff well-being and retention.  Â
- Avoid service disruptions during hiring gaps.  Â
As part of a broader workforce strategy, locum tenens helps organizations maintain patient access, support clinician well-being, and adapt to evolving staffing demands.
Designing Workforce Plans That Scale with Demand 
Organizations are constantly working to meet high staffing demand, whether it is to address seasonal trends, population changes, or new service line growth.  Â
Adaptive workforce planning helps organizations stay ahead and build more effective clinician staffing solutions. Implementing locum tenens allows for less scrambling and helps organizations stay prepared for these challenges.  Â
Utilizing locum tenens supports adaptability and provides coverage for:  Â
- Seasonal surges in patient volume.  Â
- Expansion into new programs or specialties.  Â
- Coverage for planned absences and transitions.  Â
- Rapid response to unexpected demand.  Â
Locum tenens allows organizations to plan ahead, operate efficiently, and make sure every patient has their needs met.
Strengthening Partnerships for Long-Term Success
Locum tenens is not just about filling those gaps short-term. It is about ensuring that staffing needs are met while supporting long-term success.  Working with the right locum tenens partner can provide valuable insights into workforce trends, market conditions, and staffing best practices, helping organizations manage the balance between demand and stability over time.   Â
At Jackson and Coker, we take a collaborative approach to these partnerships. We go beyond placing clinicians. We support organizations as they align staffing solutions with long-term goals and stay ahead of demand. Â
Incorporating Locum Tenens in Your Workforce Planning Strategy 
For organizations looking to strengthen their workforce planning approach, there are several actionable steps to consider:  Â
- Analyze present and future staffing needs. Understanding current gaps and focusing on areas where growth can take place will allow for an effective approach. 
- Implement locum tenens when thinking about long-term plans. Utilize this service as a strategy in your workforce model rather than a quick emergency solution.
- Build an intentional staffing partnership. These relationships should not be transactional. Collaborate with a partner who will offer strategic guidance but also understand your organization’s values and long-term goals. 
- Use data to inform decisions. Evaluate utilization, patient demand, and staffing performance to optimize your approach over time. 
- Focus on clinician well-being.  The support locum tenens offers will help create a well-rounded and effective team with a more manageable workload.
Moving in the Right Direction
Workforce shortages, clinician burnout, and changing patient demand are challenges healthcare organizations must continually navigate. By incorporating locum tenens into long-term workforce planning, organizations can build more flexible and resilient staffing models that support continuity of care. This proactive approach helps maintain patient access, reduce strain on clinical teams, and prepare organizations for future workforce demands.Â
Start strengthening your healthcare workforce plan today. 
This article is based on Strategic support: How healthcare organizations can incorporate locum tenens into workforce planning.  
Maggie Youmans
Senior Vice President, Sales
As Senior Vice President, Maggie oversees several key specialty divisions and adjacent teams. With a demonstrated history of leading teams and developing individuals across the organization, she is dedicated to inspiring, challenging and empowering associates to achieve their personal and professional goals.Â
Maggie earned degrees in marketing and management focused on consumer economics from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business. She enjoys traveling with her husband to visit different bed and breakfasts. Together, they have been able to see the beauty within their own backyard and across the country.
