Physician Workforce Forecast: What Recruiters Need to Know for Mid-Year 2025 

We’re halfway through 2025, and for physician recruiters and healthcare employers, it’s the perfect time to reassess how the year is shaping up - and how to approach the months ahead. With specialty shortages, geographic hiring gaps, and widespread burnout still top of mind, organizations need clear, data-backed strategies to stay competitive. 

physician workforce forecast 2025

At PracticeMatch, we work closely with recruitment teams across the country. Here’s what we’re seeing, and how your team can respond as the hiring landscape continues to shift. 

Specialty Supply & Demand Gaps Are Widening 

Primary care continues to be a cornerstone of hiring, but many organizations are now struggling to fill specialized roles. According to CHG Healthcare: 

  • Psychiatry, radiology, and dermatology are among the most difficult specialties to recruit in 2025, with limited candidate pools across both urban and rural settings. 
  • Internal medicine and family medicine remain in demand, but the time-to-fill is improving slightly due to wider availability. 
  • Emergency medicine has stabilized in metro areas but continues to present challenges in rural hospitals and urgent care centers. 

CHG’s report notes that 67% of healthcare leaders are seeing “severe or significant” specialty shortages. Many of these gaps are being driven by physicians cutting back hours, retiring early, or moving into non-clinical roles. 

To adapt, recruitment teams should: 

  • Reach out to residents and fellows earlier in their training. 
  • Emphasize flexible scheduling, career growth opportunities, and support systems. 
  • Audit and refresh employer branding to ensure your messaging reflects today’s candidate priorities. 

Burnout and Turnover Are Driving Staffing Instability 

Burnout continues to be a major challenge. CHG Healthcare reports that 61% of physicians are experiencing burnout, with administrative burden and lack of autonomy cited most often. 

Even more concerning, 41% of physicians said they had considered leaving their current employer in the past year. A third said they’d be more likely to stay if they had greater schedule flexibility. 

What can recruitment teams do to respond? 

  • Create and promote flexible work models - this includes hybrid, part-time, and job-sharing options. 
  • Market your support infrastructure. Whether that’s a dedicated scribe program, EHR coaching, or physician peer support, let candidates know you’ve invested in making their day-to-day better. 
  • Adjust call expectations and PTO policies to reflect the realities of burnout, and communicate these clearly in job posts and outreach. 

Location Still Matters—But Messaging Matters More 

Rural and underserved communities still face long hiring timelines, often stretching past 250 days. But many mid-sized cities are gaining traction with candidates who value affordability, community, and lifestyle over density. 

If you're recruiting in a tough-to-fill region: 

  • Search our Physician Database for candidates with local ties or relevant training backgrounds. 
  • Avoid generic job copy—be specific about your organization’s mission, the impact a physician can have, and what makes your community stand out. 

Planning Ahead: Getting Strategic for the Rest of 2025 

The second half of the year is an opportunity to get more intentional about your hiring plan. Consider the following: 

  • Revisit time-to-fill benchmarks across your high-priority roles. 
  • Update job listings and benefits to reflect real-time candidate preferences. 
  • Tighten up your communication strategy—from first outreach through onboarding—to increase conversion and satisfaction. 

And don’t wait for openings to start building relationships. Some of your best hires in 2026 may come from outreach you do this quarter. 

At PracticeMatch, our goal is to make physician recruitment more targeted, efficient, and candidate-centric. Whether you're filling one position or staffing across multiple service lines, our tools and events are built to help you make meaningful connections. 

Let’s talk about what’s next for your team. Get in touch and let’s plan your strategy for the rest of 2025.