Slower Physician Growth Raises Concerns for Care Access and Delivery
Slower-than-expected growth in the physician workforce highlights a concerning trend that could impact healthcare delivery. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of active physicians grew by only 2%, falling short of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projected 4% annual growth rate. If slower growth rates continue, healthcare systems could encounter significant challenges, including increased workloads for current providers, longer patient wait times, and reduced access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
To adapt, many healthcare systems are expected to:
- Rely more heavily on advanced practice providers and locum tenens physicians to bridge coverage gaps.
- Shift care delivery models, including adopting models like telemedicine and shared resource pools to maximize efficiency.
- Explore team-based care approaches to improve care coordination and reduce costs.
For healthcare leaders, addressing this workforce gap will require proactive planning and strategic staffing solutions. Partnering with interim healthcare staffing agencies, targeting high-demand specialties, and encouraging flexible part-time opportunities will be essential to ensure consistent, high-quality care delivery in 2025.
AI and Emerging Technologies Expand Their Role in Healthcare
In 2025, AI and innovative technologies are expected to play a pivotal role in healthcare. From predictive analytics and personalized treatment plans to proactive disease detection and streamlined administrative workflows, AI in healthcare continues to expand its capabilities and impact.
Healthcare executives are increasingly recognizing the potential of technology to transform operations and improve care delivery. A significant portion of health plans for 2025 emphasize the adoption of advanced tools such as generative AI. Notably:
- One-third of healthcare executives have identified technology investments as a key priority for the year.
- 43% of executives plan to allocate resources to essential business technologies like electronic health records (EHRs) and automation.
- 30% of executives intend to focus on digital platforms and services to enhance care delivery and patient engagement.
While these advancements present immense opportunities, they also underscore the need for careful implementation. Proper governance will be essential to ensure patient safety, build trust, and maximize the potential of these technologies as assets for informed decision-making by healthcare providers.
Healthcare leaders will continue to see the pairing of AI with clinicians in 2025. This AI-powered future has the potential to drive results that can help improve patient care, diagnostic accuracy, and the overall efficiency of healthcare facilities nationwide.
Specialist Physician Recruitment Will Be a Top Priority
Physician specialists are at the center of recruitment demands in healthcare systems. While the United States is projected to experience a physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036, including primary and specialty care, recruitment data highlights that 64% of placements are requested for in-demand specialists.
Top 10 Most Recruited Specialties:
- Family Medicine
- Radiology
- OB/GYN
- Anesthesiology
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Hematology/Oncology
- Neurology
In addition to meeting critical care needs, specialists contribute significantly to hospital revenue. Four of these specialties—cardiology, gastroenterology, family medicine, and OB/GYN—generate up to seven times their salaries in net annual hospital revenue. For healthcare leaders, securing permanent or locum tenens in these fields will be essential in 2025, ensuring both financial stability and access to high-quality care.
Growth in Key Specialties Will Reflect Shifting Patient Needs
In 2025, rising demand for specialties like psychiatry, neurology, and family medicine will reflect changing patient needs driven by aging populations, mental health concerns, and chronic disease management.
The Fastest-Growing Specialties Include:
- Psychiatry: 7.8%
- Neurology: 6.9%
- Pathology: 5.9%
- Dermatology: 4.9%
- Family Medicine: 4.8%
These increases are driven by rising needs for mental health services, neurological care, and primary care access. For healthcare leaders, these projections underscore the importance of targeted recruitment efforts. Securing specialists in high-growth fields and leveraging interim healthcare staffing solutions will be critical to addressing gaps, ensuring access to care, and maintaining operational stability in 2025.
