Healthcare facilities act as the backbone to maintaining good health in communities across the United States, and many Americans rely on these organizations for preventative and reactive medical care. In fact, according to the 2024 edition of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Hospital Statistics report, U.S. hospitals admitted over 33 million people in 2022—a large number of people that doesn’t even begin to reflect the care doctor’s offices and other clinics provide. However, the healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and more. Read on to learn more about the top four challenges healthcare facilities are likely to face in 2025, and how taking on locum tenens providers can help you weather the storm.
1. Aging Patient and Provider Populations
There’s no question about it—Americans are aging at rates that haven’t been seen in over a century. During the 2010s, the number of Americans aged 65 and above increased by over one-third, marking the most rapid growth rate for this age group in any ten-year period throughout the last 130 years of the nation’s history.
This increase provides a two-pronged problem to healthcare facilities in the United States. First, as the number of senior patients increases, so does the demand for more comprehensive healthcare services. On the flip side, many doctors, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), dentists, and other providers of this generation are choosing to retire, decreasing the supply of qualified medical professionals. Such an imbalance is the recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining continuity of patient care.
Luckily, locum tenens providers can help fill in at healthcare facilities that face this issue. These temporary medical providers work short- or long-term assignments at facilities facing staffing shortages, acting as a stopgap and helping to increase successful patent outcomes.
2. Provider Turnover and Burnout
The country will face a shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, according to projections published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 2024, and there are shortages of other providers as well. Doctors, NPs, PAs, dentists, and other healthcare providers are indeed retiring as they age, but this doesn’t capture the full scope of why there is a shortage of medical professionals across the United States.
One of the biggest reasons for the staffing shortage outside of retirement is general turnover and lack of retention. According to a McKinsey & Company report from 2024, around 35% of doctors surveyed said they were likely to leave their current roles in the next five years. This isn’t just older doctors—31% of respondents under 54 said they were likely to leave in the next five years. What’s more, 58% of physicians surveyed said their desire to change jobs increased over the past year.
When asked what factors influence their decision to leave their current jobs, 66% said the intensity of the workload, 65% of physician respondents said the emotional toll of the job, and 61% cited the physical toll of the job. This speaks to increased feelings of burnout among healthcare professionals, an issue that often leads to providers retiring or otherwise leaving the workforce.
Locum tenens providers combat the issues burnout and high turnover pose to healthcare facilities, as these healthcare professionals are willing and able to move across the country to take a temporary assignment at a moment’s notice. That means if a hospital or clinic is dealing with high turnover, they can fill in the gaps with highly-skilled locum tenens providers that are ready to begin providing quality patient care quickly.
3. Rising Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs in the United States continue to rise at an alarming rate, posing significant challenges for both healthcare facilities and patients. By 2032, healthcare spending is projected to reach nearly 20% of the GDP, according to recent estimates.
Rising costs force healthcare facilities to face the difficult task of balancing high-quality and affordable patient care with financial sustainability and long-term success. This financial stress can often lead to reduced staffing and fewer resources that can potentially affect care quality.
Locum tenens providers address this challenge by offering a flexible and cost-efficient staffing solution. Healthcare facilities can bring in temporary providers during peak periods or to cover specific specialties, avoiding the long-term financial commitments associated with full-time hires. This approach allows facilities to manage costs more effectively while ensuring continuous, high-quality patient care.
4. New Technological Advancements
The rapid pace of technological innovation in healthcare presents both opportunities and challenges for healthcare facilities in 2025. While new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) promise improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies, they also require significant investments when it comes to equipment, training, and infrastructure.
Locum tenens providers can play a crucial role in this technological transition. Many locum tenens professionals are experienced with a wide range of technologies and can bring this expertise to facilities that are in the process of adopting new systems. They can help train permanent staff, smooth the implementation process, and ensure that patient care remains top-notch during technological transitions.
Partner with Barton Associates for Locum Tenens Staffing
By addressing these four key challenges with the help of locum tenens providers, healthcare facilities can better position themselves to provide high-quality, accessible care in 2025 and beyond.
If you’re looking for locum tenens providers to fill in at your healthcare facility in 2025, reach out to us today and we’ll get you connected!
