Locum Tenens Staffing Market - By Type (Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, Anaesthesiologist, Radiologist), Specialties (Primary Care, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Nurse Practitioners, Behavioural Health), End Use & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Locum Tenens Staffing Market - By Type (Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, Anaesthesiologist, Radiologist), Specialties (Primary Care, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, Nurse Practitioners, Behavioural Health), End Use & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Locum Tenens Staffing Market Size

Locum tenens staffing market size was valued at around USD 13.6 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow at 10% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, driven by factors such as, persistent shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals, expansion of telemedicine, and increasing demand for locum tenens staffing solutions among others. For instance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is projected to surge by 9% from 2020 to 2030.

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Similarly, there is a shortage of physicians, as the Association of American Medical Colleges projecting a shortfall of up to 139,000 physicians by 2033. This shortage is further exacerbated by factors such as an aging population, rising healthcare needs, and burnout among healthcare workers. As healthcare facilities strive to maintain high-quality patient care in the face of staffing challenges, locum tenens staffing has become an increasingly vital solution.

Locum tenens staffing refers to the practice of hiring temporary physicians or healthcare providers to fill in for regular staff members who are on leave, vacation, or unable to work due to other reasons. These temporary professionals work on a short-term basis, ranging from a few days to several months, depending on the need of the work.
 

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Locum Tenens Staffing Market Trends

The increasing demand for locum tenens staffing is driven by various factors, including the need for flexible staffing solutions, demand for specialized care, and regulatory changes in healthcare.

• With rising patient volumes and healthcare staffing shortages, healthcare facilities are turning to locum tenens professionals to fill temporary gaps in their workforce quickly and efficiently. For example, during peak flu seasons or unexpected surges inpatient admissions, hospitals and clinics rely on locum tenens staff to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
• Additionally, the aging population demographic shift underscores the increasing demand for healthcare services tailored to older adults, driving the need for additional healthcare professionals, including locum tenens staff, to provide specialized care to this population.
• Furthermore, geriatrics, primary care, and internal medicine are experiencing particularly high demand for locum tenens professionals. For instance, Merritt Hawkins' 2021 Physician Recruiting Incentive Review reported that primary care and internal medicine were among the top five most requested specialties for locum tenens assignments, reflecting the need to address the healthcare needs of aging populations.

Locum Tenens Staffing Market Analysis

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Based on type, the market is categorized into physicians, surgeons, nurses, anaesthesiologist, radiologist, and other types. The physicians segment dominated the market and was valued at USD 4.7 billion in revenue in 2023.

• Physicians typically require extensive education, training, and specialized skills, making them in high demand across various healthcare settings. The complexity of medical care often necessitates the presence of physicians to provide diagnosis, treatment, and management of patient conditions.
• Additionally, physician specialties, such as primary care, emergency medicine, and psychiatry, experience particularly high demand due to their essential role in healthcare delivery. Locum tenens staffing agencies often prioritize recruiting physicians in these high-demand specialties to meet client needs efficiently, hence contributing to the segmental growth.

Based on specialties, the locum tenens staffing market is categorized into primary care, anaesthesiology, radiology, emergency medicine, surgery, nurse practitioners, behavioural health, and other specialties. The primary care segment held leading revenue share in the market, accounting for 23.6% in 2023.

• Primary care providers are versatile healthcare professionals who can treat a wide range of medical conditions, from common illnesses to complex chronic diseases. Their broad scope of practice makes them indispensable in various healthcare settings, hence, required in greater demand.
• Additionally, primary care providers serve as the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care and often develop long-term relationships with their patients. Locum tenens primary care providers help ensure continuity of care by providing accessible and timely healthcare services. This is particularly vital in underserved regions where access to primary care may be scarce, thereby amplifying the demand for their services.

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Based on end-use, the locum tenens staffing market is categorized into hospitals, ambulatory facilities, and other end-users. The hospitals segment dominated the market with a revenue of around USD 6.6 billion in 2023.

• Hospitals typically offer a wide range of medical services and specialty care, requiring a diverse and specialized workforce. The complexity of care provided in hospitals, including intensive care, surgical procedures, and emergency medicine, necessitates the presence of qualified medical professionals, including locum tenens staff, to ensure continuity of care.
• Moreover, hospitals operate tirelessly to ensure uninterrupted care for patients, resulting in substantial staffing requirements. In this context, locum tenens staffing agencies play a pivotal role in fulfilling hospitals' staffing demands by supplying temporary physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This is especially critical during non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and holidays.

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North America locum tenens staffing market accounted for USD 7.5 billion revenue in 2023 and is predicted to witness substantial market growth over the analysis timeline.

• North America is experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and other allied healthcare workers. This shortage is driven by factors such as an aging population, increased demand for healthcare services, and workforce attrition. Locum tenens staffing provides a flexible solution for healthcare organizations to fill staffing gaps quickly and efficiently.
• Additionally, healthcare facilities in North America are increasingly relying on locum tenens to address fluctuations in patient volume, cover staff vacations, and meet seasonal demands. Locum tenens staffing offers flexibility, allowing organizations to maintain continuity of care without long-term commitments, hence anticipated an increasing demand in the forecast period.  

U.S. locum tenens staffing market holds a dominant position with the market share of 94.1% in 2023.  

• The rise of telemedicine and remote work in the U.S. has expanded opportunities for locum tenens professionals to provide services across state lines without the need for physical presence. This has increased the demand for locum tenens staffing, particularly in telemedicine and virtual care settings, in the country.
• Additionally, the aging population and healthcare reform have led to an increased demand for healthcare services in the U.S. This growing demand places strain on existing healthcare resources, creating opportunities for locum tenens staffing to meet the growing need for medical professionals.

Germany locum tenens staffing market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

• There is a growing acceptance of temporary staffing solutions in the German healthcare system, driven by the need for cost-effective staffing solutions and the recognition of locum tenens as a viable option to address physician shortages.
• Additionally, the increasing demand for specialized medical services in Germany, particularly in areas such as geriatrics, psychiatry, and primary care, locum tenens professionals with expertise in these fields are in high demand to provide specialized care.

China locum tenens staffing market is anticipated to witness a high growth rate from 2024-2032, due to several factors.

• The growth of the private healthcare sector in China has increased the demand for locum tenens staffing. Private hospitals and clinics often face staffing challenges as they compete with public institutions for healthcare professionals. Locum tenens staffing offers a flexible solution for these facilities to meet their staffing needs.
• Additionally, China is continuously expanding its healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of new hospitals and the development of healthcare facilities in rural areas. However, staffing these facilities with permanent physicians can be challenging in various situations across the country. Locum tenens staffing provides a flexible solution to ensure that these new healthcare facilities can operate effectively while permanent staff are being recruited, thereby, increasing their demand in the country.

Locum Tenens Staffing Market Share

The locum tenens staffing industry is competitive in nature, with various large multinationals and small and mid-sized companies competing in the industry. Novel services with improved advantages, flexibility and cost-effectiveness are key market strategies for locum tenens staffing service providers, driving competition in the industry. This emphasis on fulfilling the requirement of health professionals and provide care to patients, positioning companies to gain market share and meet the growing demand for advanced locum tenens staffing services.

Locum Tenens Staffing Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the locum tenens staffing industry include

• AMN Healthcare
• Aya Healthcare, Inc.
• CHG Management, Inc.
• Locumpedia
• LocumTenens.com
• Maxim Healthcare Group
• Medicus Healthcare Solutions
• The Delta Companies
• ViSTA Staffing Solutions
• Weatherby Healthcare

Locum Tenens Staffing Industry News

• In February 2024, CHG Healthcare launched two new apps, MyCompHealth and MyWeatherby, to assist healthcare providers working locum tenens assignments. They are designed to simplify the locum tenens process and reduce administrative stress. This launch is expected to enable the company to expand its customer base and generate high revenue in the coming years.
• In January 2024, Aya Healthcare, announced the acquisition of ID Medical, a leading workforce solutions provider in the UK. This acquisition will expand the company’s market presence in the UK and improve its customer base.

Locum tenens staffing market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 to 2032 for the following segments

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Market, By Type

• Physicians
• Surgeons
• Nurses
• Anesthesiologist
• Radiologist
• Other types

By Specialties

• Primary care
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Emergency medicine
• Surgery
• Nurse practitioners
• Behavioral health
• Other specialties

By End-use

• Hospitals
• Ambulatory facilities
• Other end-users

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa