While the recent boom in nurse staffing has deservedly attracted much attention, the other segments of healthcare staffing have also experienced record demand. In this article, we briefly highlight recent trends in locum tenens staffing (physicians and advanced practitioners) and in allied healthcare staffing (a wide range of clinical professions excluding physician and nurse.)
Allied healthcare. Total allied healthcare temporary staffing revenue increased by 103% from the first half of 2021 to the first half of 2022, according to selected findings from SIA’s Allied Healthcare Benchmarking Survey. Of the 16 allied healthcare staffing firms that participated in the survey, hours billed increased 62% year over year in the first half of 2022. This continued demand complements SIA’s forecast of the US Staffing Industry, which projects the allied segment of the healthcare industry to expand 20% year over year in 2022 with continued growth of 8% in 2023. Although bill rates have decreased significantly from their peak pandemic levels, the allied segment continues to see increased bill rates relative to pre-pandemic levels, with a 25% increase in average bill rates from the first half of 2021 to the first half of 2022.
Respiratory therapists continue to hold the largest share of reported allied healthcare revenue by occupation in the first half of 2022, followed by clinical lab technicians and radiology/MRI technologists. Cardiac catheterization technologists were the most difficult occupation to recruit for, according to respondents, likely due to fierce competition and shrinking talent pools. Speech therapists were the second most difficult occupation to recruit for, likely due to the increasing demand to treat speech disorders in the older population as well as language disorders in children who require assistance with communication. According to respondents, demand was the greatest driver of revenue in 2022 while the fluctuations in bill rates were the greatest barrier to revenue.
Locum tenens. Similarly, the locum tenens segment of the healthcare industry continues to see across-the-board demand, as confirmed by conversations SIA has had with staffing executives who provide temporary staff in this segment. The aging population will drive growth for physicians and surgeons as the older population experiences chronic illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, requiring complex care plans. According to data published in 2021 by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could see an estimated shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in both primary and specialty care. Industries with the highest levels of employment for physicians include outpatient centers, specialty hospitals, medical-surgical hospitals and offices of physicians. As access to mental health services improves, employment of psychiatrists is projected to increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Adding to the challenge of recruiting and retaining physicians, there are heightened concerns around physician and advanced practice providers’ burnout. According to a survey conducted by the Mayo Clinic in December 2021, physicians’ and APPs’ intention to reduce hours was high at 31% and 28%, respectively. Meanwhile, physicians’ and APPs’ intention to leave their practice within two years was 23% and 33%, respectively.
Corporate members of SIA can download the “Locum Tenens Market Growth Assessment” report for a deeper dive into the locum tenens segment.
Solutions
Solving the healthcare practitioner shortage is a collective effort that will last years and will require a multipronged approach. Although increasing graduate medical education slots and updating regulations relies on government intervention, and better care models will require action on the health system side, staffing firms are primed to ensure healthcare practitioners are taken care of so they can provide the best quality care to their patients. This can include offering benefits that boost employee satisfaction, which can help reduce burnout. Flexibility in scheduling will result in less stress and a better work-life balance. Working in different environments, such as taking a break from large hospitals and working in a rural facility, will change up the scenery and provide different exposure — while also helping to meet the needs of underserved areas. Locum tenens firms play a critical role in removing many aspects of providers’ roles that lead to burnout by offering more time for patient relations, enabling them to stay updated on changes in medicine, and helping them find the appropriate work life balance. Focusing on the physical and mental health of clinicians as a primary objective will result in improvements in patient care, increases in health systems satisfaction, and profits that may materialize as a result.
