Staffing challenges in obstetrics and gynecology are not new, but they have become increasingly urgent of late.
With OBGYNs among the specialties most affected by physician shortages and burnout, many healthcare employers struggle to maintain 24/7 coverage, ensure safe deliveries, and protect patient satisfaction without overextending their teams.
Locum OBGYN coverage provides welcome relief. Far from a short-term fix, strategically deploying locum tenens clinicians has become a proven method for stabilizing operations, reducing financial risk, and safeguarding clinical outcomes. When properly implemented, locum OBGYN staffing can deliver a measurable return on investment well beyond the balance sheet.
Let’s explore how locum tenens can help your organization.
Why Does Locum OBGYN Coverage Matter?
The demand for obstetric and gynecologic services is intensifying, driven by demographic shifts and workforce challenges. Expert projections indicate that the US will face a significant shortfall of OBGYNs in the coming decades.
Specifically, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) estimates a shortage of up to 22,000 OBGYNs by 2050 due to factors like an aging physician population and limited residency positions. Without enough providers to meet demand, those available suffer from long hours, demanding patient loads, and prevalent burnout.
While many are working to address these problems, they won’t be resolved overnight. The good news is that locum tenens staffing can help mitigate the negative consequences.
By integrating locum clinicians into staffing models, healthcare employers can ensure continuous patient care, reduce the risks associated with staffing shortages, and relieve permanent staff, thereby addressing immediate and long-term operational needs.
Cost Comparison: Locum Tenens Vs. Permanent Staffing
At first glance, hourly rates for locum tenens OBGYNs can seem higher than a full-time salary. However, the complete financial picture tells a different story.
Hiring a permanent OBGYN can take 6 to 12 months and cost up to $250,000 in recruitment and onboarding expenses. During that time, gaps in coverage often result in:
- Lost revenue from diverted deliveries and gynecologic procedures
- Increased overtime costs for the remaining staff
- Lower patient satisfaction scores due to delays in care
Locum providers can be deployed in weeks instead of months. Without the need for long-term benefits packages or relocation costs, and with the ability to scale coverage precisely to patient volume, locum tenens staffing becomes a highly cost-effective solution, especially in time-sensitive OBGYN environments.
Financial Risk Mitigation
An unfilled OBGYN position can result in substantial revenue loss. Consider that a single physician performing five deliveries per week at an average reimbursement of $3,000 per birth contributes over $750,000 annually in direct revenue, excluding gynecologic procedures, prenatal care, and downstream referrals.
Without full OBGYN coverage, healthcare employers risk lost revenue, canceled procedures, emergency department diversions, and decreased patient loyalty. Locum tenens staffing preserves revenue and ensures continuity of care.
Cost Avoidance Through Reduced Malpractice Exposure
OBGYN remains one of the highest-risk specialties for malpractice claims. According to the American Medical Association, 62% of OBGYNs have been sued at some point in their careers.
Gaps in staffing can increase liability exposure, particularly when delays or missed diagnoses occur due to inadequate attending coverage. Locum tenens support helps reduce:
- The likelihood of rushed handoffs or decision-making fatigue
- Risks associated with underqualified float or on-call backups
- Potential for litigation tied to insufficient staffing
Experienced locum OBGYNs are thoroughly vetted for clinical acumen and adaptability, providing additional risk protection while ensuring patient safety.
Operational Gains: Beyond Dollars And Cents
Locum tenens OBGYNs can begin assignments in as little as two weeks, compared to the months it may take to hire full-time clinicians. This agility helps hospital departments respond in real time to:
- Last-minute schedule changes
- Emergency absences
- Unexpected surges in deliveries or procedures
The ability to flex staff up or down based on demand reduces overtime costs and allows for better resource planning.
Protecting Continuity Of Care
Continuity is essential in every specialty, but it is particularly vital with OBGYNs. Locum tenens physicians provide consistent, reliable coverage to ensure patients receive timely prenatal and gynecologic care. Partnering with the right staffing agency ensures that locum OBGYNs are carefully matched to your workflows and team dynamics, helping maintain a seamless patient experience.
Burnout Prevention And Retention
Burnout remains a significant concern in obstetrics and gynecology, with OBGYNs experiencing some of the highest rates among medical specialties. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that 40-75% of OBGYNs report some form of professional burnout, driven by factors such as night shifts, unpredictable call burdens, and the high-stakes nature of the specialty.
Strategic use of locum tenens coverage can alleviate these pressures by providing full-time OBGYNs with protected time off, thereby improving morale and retention. Flexible staffing models, including locum tenens, have been linked to reduced clinician turnover and increased job satisfaction.
Choosing A Trusted Partner In OBGYN Staffing
Staffing support should go beyond filling gaps. OnCall Solutions provides:
- Ongoing Chief Medical Officer support for both the clinician and the facility.
- A network of board-certified OBGYNs ready for immediate deployment
- Expertise in licensing, credentialing, and EMR onboarding
- National reach with a commitment to local familiarity
We understand the stakes in OBGYN care. That’s why we focus on clinician quality, continuity, and long-term relationship building, not just short-term coverage.
Final thoughts: Locum tenens as a long-term value strategy
Hiring locum tenens OBGYNs isn’t just a short-term fix; it’s a long-term investment in clinical consistency, financial stability, and operational excellence.
For hospitals navigating workforce shortages, fluctuating demand, and increasing burnout, locum tenens OBGYN staffing provides a scalable, cost-effective solution that delivers a strong return on investment.
Looking for locum OBGYN coverage that supports your mission and your margins? Partner with OnCall Solutions: your trusted medical staffing and hospital practice partner.
Contact us today to explore customized solutions tailored to your team’s needs.
