Altamonte Springs, FL — The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations® (NALTO®) reports that its member companies are seeing record demand for temporary physician assignments at health facilities across the nation. With the escalating physician shortage and the continued evolution of the healthcare landscape, executives at NALTO® member firms are projecting significant growth of the $2.7 billion locum tenens staffing industry in 2016 and beyond.
A number of developments are contributing to the rapidly increasing ranks of the locum tenens workforce. Key among them are the increased demand for healthcare services due to the 32 million new patients insured through the Affordable Care Act, the 5 million new patients added to Medicaid rolls, and the 75 million baby boomers who are retiring at a rate of about 11,000 per day. “According to Staffing Industry Analysts, the locum tenens industry is poised to grow 8–10% in 2016,” says Joe Matarese, CEO of Medicus Healthcare Solutions. “I believe this 2016 industry growth outlook is an accurate projection and that healthcare hiring managers will be relying upon locum tenens support increasingly over the next five years.”
Temporary physician staffing has never been more important, and growth is all about addressing the unprecedented shortage of doctors. “Based on our forecasts, which we’ve been conducting since 2007, the future looks very bright for the locum tenens industry,” says Rodney Behrends, Partner and Senior Consultant with Goldfish Medical Staffing. “Our firm has grown tremendously with the industry and we are expecting strong growth in 2016 and five years down the road. Although medical school enrollment is up almost one-third over a decade ago, the higher enrollment will not alleviate the physician shortage and meet the increased demand for locum tenens.”
“There is no end in sight to the surge in demand for locum tenens due to the overwhelming jump in patient population size and the nationwide shortage of physicians,” observes Julie Ramos, Senior Managing Director of the Locum Tenens Division at The Execu|Search Group. “As a result of the dramatic shifts in the healthcare landscape, locum tenens are going to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, an increasing number of physicians are interested in pursuing a career as a locum tenens, and the demand is so high that we can find a position for anyone.”
The growing demand for temporary physicians has carried over to the growth of NALTO®, which is marking 15 years as the recognized authority for the locum tenens industry. From the association’s humble beginning with 14 members, NALTO® has grown to include more than 70 member firms today. “When doing business with NALTO® members, physicians and healthcare organizations are assured that they are working with secure, ethical staffing firms and that they are protected by the NALTO® governing body as well,” adds Ramos. “From best business practices, positions on issues and licensure to legal advice, guidance on taxes and worker compensation laws, malpractice insurance issues, and much more, working with a NALTO® member company affords a decided advantage in ensuring high standards of service throughout the industry.”
