A recent report from Staff Care, a leading locum tenens staffing firm, reveals that 41% of U.S. physicians have experience working as locum tenens, or temporary doctors. The 2026 survey, conducted in early 2026, included responses from over 1,000 physicians across various specialties.
The report highlights that the top reasons physicians choose locum tenens work include flexible scheduling (cited by 62% of respondents), higher pay (48%), and the ability to avoid administrative burdens (35%). Burnout remains a significant factor, with 44% of physicians reporting symptoms, though this is down from 49% in 2024.
Demographically, younger physicians (under 40) are more likely to have locums experience (53%) compared to those over 60 (29%). The trend is particularly strong in rural areas, where 58% of facilities rely on locum tenens to fill staffing gaps.
Industry experts note that the rise in locum tenens reflects broader shifts in healthcare, including a growing preference for work-life balance and the ongoing physician shortage, which is projected to reach 86,000 by 2036. The report also found that 72% of physicians who have tried locum tenens would recommend it to colleagues.
