Locum tenens use triples as health systems fold it into long-term staffing plans

Healthcare organizations are increasingly using locum tenens as a long-term workforce strategy, with use for growth and expansion tripling since 2023, according to Consilium Staffing’s 2026 Trends in Locum Tenens Report. The findings show persistent staffing pressure, rising demand in key specialties and a growing reliance on flexible coverage to support access to care.

Why it matters: - Healthcare organizations are shifting locum tenens from stopgap coverage to a core staffing tool. - The change affects access to care, growth plans, scheduling flexibility and how health systems respond to workforce shortages. - The report suggests locum tenens is becoming part of broader workforce strategy across multiple specialties.

What happened: - Consilium Staffing released its 2026 Trends in Locum Tenens Report on Oct. 8, 2026. - The CS Research Group produced the annual report using survey-based insights from healthcare leaders, physicians and advanced practice providers. - The CS Research Group has run and analyzed national surveys since 2023. - The group also launched its 2027 annual research surveys for healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals.

The details: - 75% of surveyed healthcare organizations said they experienced a physician shortage or that workforce shortages had become problematic for their facility. - Use of locum tenens for growth and expansion tripled since 2023, rising from 11% to 33% among surveyed facilities. - Use of locum tenens to address rising patient demand increased from 17% to nearly 25%. - Nearly 60% of facilities said they planned to continue or increase locum tenens use. - 66% of facilities said they had already incorporated locum tenens into long-term staffing plans. - Nearly 70% of healthcare organizations said they worked with more than one locum agency. - Among healthcare professionals surveyed, 74% cited schedule flexibility as a reason for choosing locum tenens. - 54% cited better pay as a reason for choosing locum tenens. - 75% of active locum providers reported satisfaction with their work-life balance. - Healthcare organizations expect increased locum use over the next year in primary care, psychiatry, emergency medicine, hospitalist medicine and anesthesiology. - The report says locum tenens is being used to maintain access to care, manage changes in patient demand, support growth and give clinicians more flexibility. - The CS Research Group said the 2027 surveys will capture perspectives on challenges, priorities, experiences and opportunities in the locum tenens market. - Healthcare organizations will be asked about workforce needs, staffing challenges, locum use, specialty demand and future staffing strategies. - Healthcare professionals will be asked about locum tenens experience, career preferences, scheduling, practice settings, compensation and work choices.

Between the lines: - The numbers point to a market where temporary clinicians are increasingly filling structural workforce gaps, not just emergency vacancies. - Flexibility appears to be a major driver for clinicians, while staffing access and demand management are driving organizations. - The growth in multi-agency use suggests organizations are widening their search to secure enough candidates.

What's next: - The CS Research Group will use its 2027 survey cycle to track how locum tenens use continues to evolve. - Health systems and clinicians can participate in the 2027 research surveys through the links provided in the announcement. - Consilium Staffing says the ongoing research will help identify emerging workforce trends.

The bottom line: - Locum tenens is moving deeper into mainstream healthcare staffing strategy as shortages persist and organizations look for more flexible ways to cover demand.