Fifty-nine percent of healthcare executives said physician specialists are the most difficult clinical job to fill, according to a Covista report.
“Covista Care Capacity Monitor” polled 167 healthcare executives and 1,347 healthcare clinicians across disciplines and geographies between Nov. 4 and Nov. 21, 2025. Questions focused on the state of staff shortages and staffing issues across healthcare. All respondents were currently working in a healthcare organization that provides patient care. Clinicians were only included in the study sample if they reported spending 50% or more of their time each week on direct patient care.
Here are the clinician roles that respondents said have been significantly challenging to fill:
Editor’s note: Respondents could select more than one answer.
Physician specialist: 59%
Primary care physician: 49%
Certified registered nurse anesthetist: 47%
Behavioral or mental health clinicians or therapist: 44%
Allied health provider: 38%
Behavioral or mental health staff: 31%
Licensed practical nurse: 14%
Nurse practitioner or physician assistant: 13%
Here are the clinicians “very” or “somewhat likely” to leave in the next 12 months:
Primary care physicians: 17%
Physician specialists: 15%
Registered nurse: 14%
Behavioral or mental health clinician: 10%
Nurse practitioner or physicians assistant: 7%
Allied health provider: 4%
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