Healthcare employment continues to shift, with specialty-specific attrition, climbing outpatient demand, and widening gaps in vital services. Our Q3 Healthcare Market Report explores these key trends and other factors shaping the healthcare industry this quarter.

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Locum Tenens Remains the Only Growing Segment in Temporary Staffing

The United States healthcare system continues to face record job openings and persistent labor shortages, driving sustained demand for locum tenens. Among healthcare staffing segments, locum tenens is the only one demonstrating consistent growth, with 6% projected in 2025 and an additional 5% anticipated in 2026, according to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). 

SIA Locum Tenens Market 2020-2026

The primary drivers of growth within the locum tenens segment include steady bull rates, rising patient volumes, demographic trends, increased incidence of chronic disease, the need for revenue-generating roles, and other factors. 

Outpatient Volumes Forecasted to Reach Over 6 Billion by 2035

Sg2’s 2025 Impact of Change Forecast projects sustained growth in healthcare demand over the next decade, with the sharpest increases expected in outpatient settings. Inpatient volumes are also projected to rise at a more measured pace, reflecting ongoing shifts in site-of-care strategies and patient complexity.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient Utilization Trends Across Service Lines Over the Next Decade

“As patient volumes continue to rise across care settings, we are seeing more healthcare organizations bring locum tenens into the conversation early; not as a last resort, but as part of a broader workforce strategy. We anticipate locum tenens will play an even larger role in the years ahead as leaders look to build strategic staffing plans to manage growth without adding strain to permanent teams." – Shannon Peterson, Senior Vice President, Head of Delivery at Medicus Healthcare Solutions  

Over 700 Rural Hospitals Are at Risk of Closure

An analysis conducted by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform revealed that over one-third of all rural hospitals are at risk of closure due to financial challenges, with 300 of these hospitals facing an immediate risk.

Top 5 States with the Highest Percentage of Rural Hospitals at Risk of Closure Over the Next 2-3 Years

For a comprehensive look into these insights and additional trends impacting healthcare this quarter, click here to download our Q3 Healthcare Market Report.