Locum tenens providers work at healthcare facilities on a temporary basis to fill gaps in care or occupy vacant positions until a full-time provider can be found. In practice, locum tenens means providing care to millions of patients throughout the United States in light of growing physician shortages.

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Supporting facilities, hospitals, and clinics nationwide, locums doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants step in and cover shifts as short as one day and up to a year for absences caused by vacations, vacancies, and seasonal outbreaks.

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The need for locum tenens physicians in the U.S. is expected to increase, with the Association of American Medical Colleges predicting a staggering shortage of over 100,000 doctors by 2030. Locums physicians and advanced practitioners are vital to ensuring coverage now and in the future when there are fewer students applying to medical school.