Bridging the Gap: The Growing Value of Locum Providers in Healthcare

As healthcare challenges continue to evolve, locum tenens physicians are becoming a vital part of the solution. Whether it's filling staffing gaps, preventing burnout, or maintaining high standards of care, locum tenens professionals are stepping up to meet the increasing demands of the healthcare industry.

In fact, locum tenens revenue is expected to grow by 5% in 2025, building on a 17% increase in 2023 and 12% in 2024. And with advanced practitioner locums (APPs) seeing a 23.8% growth in the first half of 2024, it’s clear that temporary staffing is not just a trend—it's becoming a crucial part of the healthcare workforce.

Addressing the Critical Needs of Healthcare Organizations

As healthcare continues to adapt, locum providers are solving key problems faced by healthcare organizations. Here’s how they’re helping facilities tackle some of their toughest challenges:

1. 1. Filling the Gaps in a Shrinking Physician Workforce

2. With a growing physician shortage, healthcare organizations are feeling the strain. In fact, the American Medical Association projects a shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Locum providers offer a flexible solution, ensuring that healthcare teams can continue to deliver high-quality care despite the ongoing shortage. They help bridge staffing gaps caused by retirements, leave of absences, or high turnover rates, allowing organizations to continue operations without compromising patient care.

Full-time locum providers often bring a diverse skill set and wide-ranging experience. Having worked in various healthcare settings, they’re adaptable and bring fresh perspectives as they integrate into new teams. 

Locums has the balance of it all. I can control my schedule and pick the right types of environments to work in, and it helps mitigate the burnout others are experiencing. I really get to just practice medicine. I go in and try to provide and deliver the best care that I can give. It’s kind of like non-international mission work. It’s about providing stability to healthcare facilities.
-  Dr. Darnell Brown, General Surgery

2. 2. Reducing Burnout While Still Providing Continuity of Care

Physician burnout is a growing concern, with nearly half of physicians reporting signs of burnout due to heavy workloads and stress. In our 2024 Compensation Report that combines 150,000 physician responses, 4 out of 5 physicians surveyed feel overworked, and 30% reported because of overwork they’re considering early retirement.

Locum physicians help alleviate this pressure by stepping in when permanent staff members need a break, whether it’s for vacation, sick leave, or simply to recharge. By filling short-term gaps, locums can prevent burnout among permanent staff and maintain the continuity of care, ensuring patients receive the attention they need.

Additionally, locums help prevent the costly consequences of leaving positions vacant, such as delays in patient care, lost revenue, and overworked staff.

3. 3. Generating Revenue While Filling Vacancies

When a physician position is vacant, your organization is losing money every day.

On average, a single unfilled physician role can cost up to $9,000 per day or over $500,000 in lost revenue and patient migration.

As of 2025, it takes an average of 125 days to fill a primary care physician position and up to 135 days for a specialist role – plus an additional 4-6 months for licensing and credentialing. Keeping a vacancy open is not only a staffing issue, it’s a financial one. A locums provider allows you to fill those gaps and continue generating revenue while you focus on hiring a permanent physician.  

Leveraging the Locums Lifeline

As healthcare faces a shrinking physician workforce, increasing patient needs, and a rising risk of burnout, locum tenens clinicians are an indispensable resource. These professionals offer flexibility and high-quality care, helping organizations address urgent staffing challenges.

With locum revenue projected to grow by 5% in 2025 and the increasing role of advanced practitioners in staffing solutions, it’s clear that locums are not just a backup—they’re a strategic part of the solution to the healthcare staffing crisis.

To learn how Doximity Talent Solution can help your organization navigate staffing challenges with locum clinicians, contact us at clientsuccess@doximity.com or complete the form below.