Healthcare Organizations Showing Massive Increase in Locum Tenens as Long-term Workforce Strategy

Locum tenens for growth and expansion tripled since 2023 per 2026 Trends in Locum Tenens Report

IRVING, TX, UNITED STATES, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The surge in the use of locum tenens as part of the long-term workforce strategy for healthcare organizations, rather than a solution for short-term coverage for unexpected vacancies, is one of several key findings of Consilium Staffing’s 2026 Trends in Locum Tenens Report.

The annual Trends in Locum Tenens Report, produced by the CS Research Group, examines the changing role of locum tenens in the U.S. healthcare workforce through survey-based insights from healthcare leaders, physicians and advanced practice providers.

The CS Research Group has conducted and analyzed national surveys since 2023, with the goal of providing healthcare organizations and clinicians with data and insights into emerging healthcare staffing trends and healthcare workforce trends across the locum tenens market.

The CS Research Group has also launched its 2027 annual research surveys for healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals.

2026 Report Highlights Changing Role of Locum Tenens
The 2026 report points to a continued evolution in how healthcare organizations use locum tenens staffing.
Among the report’s findings:
• 75% of healthcare organizations surveyed reported experiencing a physician shortage or said the healthcare workforce shortage had become problematic for their facility.
• The use of locum tenens for growth and expansion has tripled since 2023, increasing from 11% to 33% among surveyed facilities. Use of locums to address rising patient demand also increased, from 17% to nearly 25%.
• Nearly 60% of facilities said they planned to continue or increase their use of locum tenens, while 66% had already incorporated locum tenens into long-term staffing plans.
• Nearly 70% of healthcare organizations reported working with more than one locum agency, reflecting the importance of broad candidate access as organizations address workforce needs.
• Among healthcare professionals surveyed, 74% identified schedule flexibility as a reason for choosing locum tenens, compared with 54% who cited better pay.
• 75% of active locum providers reported satisfaction with their work-life balance, highlighting the role flexibility can play in how clinicians structure their careers.
• Healthcare organizations expect increasing locum use particularly across primary care, psychiatry, emergency medicine, hospitalist medicine, and anesthesiology over the next year.

These findings and more illustrate a market in which locum tenens is increasingly being incorporated into broader workforce strategies, not only to address vacancies, but also to maintain access to care, manage fluctuations in patient demand, support growth and provide clinicians with greater flexibility.

“The Trends in Locum Tenens Report brings together the perspectives of healthcare organizations and clinicians to better understand how the locum tenens market is evolving,” said Matt Baade, Consilium Executive Vice President. “The 2026 findings provide valuable insight into the workforce pressures that organizations are navigating and the changing expectations of today’s healthcare professionals. Our 2027 research allows us to continue tracking those changes and identify emerging trends.”

CS Research Group Launches 2027 Trends in Locum Tenens Surveys
Following the release of the 2026 report, the CS Research Group is now inviting healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals to participate in the 2027 Trends in Locum Tenens research surveys.

The surveys are designed to capture firsthand perspectives on the challenges, priorities, experiences and opportunities shaping the locum tenens market.
Healthcare organizations will address topics that include workforce needs, staffing challenges, use of locum tenens, specialty demand and future staffing strategies.

Healthcare professionals will share their experiences with locum tenens, career preferences, scheduling, practice settings, compensation considerations and the factors influencing how they choose to work.

The CS Research Group encourages healthcare leaders, physicians, advanced practice providers and other eligible healthcare professionals to participate at the following survey links:
Healthcare organizations survey
Healthcare professionals survey

About Consilium Staffing
Consilium Staffing is a Dallas-based locum tenens staffing agency connecting physicians and advanced practitioners with healthcare organizations seeking workforce coverage nationwide. The company combines specialty focus, regional expertise, and concierge services to support healthcare organizations and clinicians throughout the locum tenens process.

Art Garcia
Consilium Staffing
1-844-562-8671
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