MedCloud Minute: New Report Highlights Growing U.S. Gastroenterologist Shortage

The United States is projected to face a shortage of 510 full-time equivalent gastroenterologists in 2026, according to a new workforce report released by Medicus Healthcare Solutions, a healthcare staffing and workforce management company.

The report, "Addressing the Gastroenterologist Shortage," examines workforce trends, geographic disparities, and hiring challenges that are affecting access to digestive health services across the country. According to Medicus, more than two-thirds of U.S. counties currently have no practicing gastroenterologist, while open positions take a median of 186 days to fill.

Demand for gastrointestinal care continues to rise as the U.S. population ages and screening programs expand. The report cites projections from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis showing that the shortage is expected to persist through the next decade.

The staffing gap has implications for hospitals and health systems already struggling to recruit specialists. Delays in hiring can affect access to colonoscopies, endoscopic procedures, inpatient consultations, and long-term management of digestive disorders. Medicus noted that counties without gastroenterologists are significantly more likely to be located in nonmetropolitan areas.

The report also points to growing use of interim staffing models, including locum tenens physicians, as healthcare organizations attempt to maintain service coverage while pursuing longer-term recruitment strategies. Approximately 19% of gastroenterologists have worked locum tenens assignments at some point in their careers, according to estimates cited in the report.

Healthcare workforce shortages remain a growing concern across multiple physician specialties, but gastroenterology has emerged as one of the most difficult areas for recruitment and retention.

Posted by MedCloudInsider Editors on 05/31/2026