Physicians completing residency or fellowship today are entering a strong job market across nearly every specialty. But when we narrow the focus to locum tenens, certain specialties consistently rise to the top of physician demand.
As healthcare systems continue navigating workforce shortages, fluctuating patient volumes, and longer permanent hiring cycles, locum tenens has become a strategic staffing solution, not a backup plan.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. could face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. That shortage is not evenly distributed. It disproportionately impacts specific specialties, the very ones providers most frequently seek for locum coverage.
Here’s where demand is strongest.
1. Psychiatry
Mental health needs continue to outpace provider supply nationwide. Behavioral health access remains limited in both rural and urban communities, increasing reliance on temporary coverage.
Recent industry report consistently ranks psychiatry among the top requested locum tenens specialties year over year.
Why providers prioritize psychiatry locums:
- Long permanent recruitment timelines
- High burnout rates in behavioral health
- Growing patient demand
- Telehealth expansion increasing flexibility
2. Hospital Medicine (Hospitalists)
Hospitalists remain one of the most requested locum tenens roles nationwide. Inpatient coverage models require consistent staffing, and turnover or census spikes create immediate coverage gaps.
Healthcare facilities frequently use locum hospitalists to:
- Maintain continuity of inpatient care
- Cover FMLA, sabbaticals, or unexpected departures
- Support seasonal census increases
Hospital medicine continues to rank high in annual staffing utilization reports across the industry.
3. Emergency Medicine
Emergency departments cannot reduce operating hours, making coverage non-negotiable. When permanent hires are delayed or departments face burnout-related exits, locum tenens physicians often step in to help staffing.
Providers frequently seek emergency medicine locums for:
- Rural and underserved hospitals
- High-volume urban ERs
- Trauma center coverage
Because emergency departments are open 24/7, this specialty consistently generates strong locum demand.
4. Anesthesiology
Surgical backlogs and operating rooms depend on consistent anesthesia coverage. When anesthesiology staffing falls short, procedural volume and hospital revenue is directly impacted.
Industry data shows anesthesiology among the fastest-growing locum specialties in recent years, driven by:
- Elective procedure rebounds
- Increasing surgical demand
- Retirement of senior anesthesiologists
Locum anesthesiologists are in high demand to avoid OR delays and cancellations.
5. Primary Care (Family Medicine & Internal Medicine)
Primary care shortages continue to widen, particularly in rural and community-based settings. According to the American Medical Association, primary care physicians remain foundational to care delivery, yet hiring challenges persist.
Locum tenens primary care physicians are often used to:
- Bridge gaps during permanent placement
- Maintain patient panel continuity
- Expand access in high-need regions
Family Medicine and Internal Medicine consistently rank among the most requested specialties for temporary coverage.
6. Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Women’s health coverage is critical and in many communities, fragile. OB/GYN shortages have led some hospitals to reduce labor and delivery services, increasing reliance on locum coverage to keep programs operational.
Providers frequently seek OB/GYN locums to:
- Support call coverage
- Maintain labor & delivery services
- Stabilize rural maternity programs
7. Radiology
Imaging demand continues to grow across hospital and outpatient settings. At the same time, radiologist shortages have expanded locum opportunities.
Teleradiology has further strengthened this market, giving providers greater geographic flexibility while maintaining high demand.
Why These Specialties Rise to the Top
Across these disciplines, a few common themes emerge:
- Long permanent hiring timelines
- High burnout risk
- Aging physician workforce
- Increasing patient volumes
- Limited rural access
Locum tenens offers healthcare organizations agility and offers physicians flexibility.
At MPLT Healthcare, we see firsthand how demand for these specialties’ shapes workforce strategy nationwide. For physicians, this means strong negotiating power and career optionality. For facilities, it means planning ahead and partnering strategically.
Understanding where demand is strongest allows both physicians and healthcare leaders to make informed, strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape.
