HWL Insights

2026 marks a major milestone for HWL.

When you're responsible for serving over three million patients annually across 700 care locations, operational efficiency isn't just a goal - it's essential for patient care. RWJBarnabas Health (RWJ), New Jersey's largest integrated healthcare system, discovered this firsthand when their locum tenens program became a source of administrative burden rather than strategic support. 

Bottom Line Up Front: Healthcare organizations face unprecedented challenges in managing contingent labor costs, vendor relationships, and workforce optimization. Strategic vendor management systems deliver measurable cost savings, enhanced transparency, and oversight of contingent staffing programs—positioning procurement professionals to drive meaningful ROI while maintaining operational excellence.

Healthcare organizations face unprecedented challenges in managing contingent labor costs, vendor relationships, and workforce optimization. Strategic vendor management systems deliver measurable cost savings, enhanced transparency, and oversight of contingent staffing programs—positioning procurement professionals to drive meaningful ROI while maintaining operational excellence.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has emerged as a critical area of concern within the healthcare sector. As healthcare organizations grapple with the economic impact of mental health costs and workforce shortages, the need for reliable staffing solutions has never been more pressing. According to recent data, the annual economic burden of mental and medical healthcare costs combined with lost productivity exceeds a staggering $220 billion in the United States alone. This figure underscores the urgency to address staffing challenges effectively to mitigate further financial strain and ensure quality patient care.

In the dynamic realm of healthcare workforce solutions, the tug-of-war between a mission-driven approach and a metric-oriented mindset often takes center stage. Balancing the human-centric ethos of healthcare with the demands of efficiency and performance metrics presents a challenge for managers and administrators, both internally at health systems and externally with agency or other partners. Understanding the nuances between these two mindsets is crucial for creating an effective workforce strategy that prioritizes both the mission of care and operational excellence.

In the complex world of healthcare staffing, staying ahead requires a deep understanding of the industry. The Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) 2024 Workforce Solutions Buyer Survey, focusing on the United States, sheds light on how organizations manage their flexible workforce, their supplier strategies, and what they prioritize for the future.

The healthcare industry stands at a pivotal moment in its evolution, particularly in how it approaches staffing. Traditional models, while stable, often lack the flexibility to meet the dynamic demands of modern healthcare environments. Enter the concept of internal gig pools—a revolutionary staffing model that combines the adaptability of gig work with the structure of traditional employment. This model is transforming healthcare staffing, presenting a future where adaptability, efficiency, and employee satisfaction converge. 

The gig economy, characterized by its flexible freelance work arrangements, has seen a meteoric rise across various sectors, fundamentally altering traditional employment models. In healthcare, this shift offers a novel lens through which staffing strategies can be reevaluated and optimized. The adaptation to gig economy principles within healthcare staffing is not just timely; it’s proving to be a synergistic match that brings with it a host of benefits aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, employee satisfaction, and patient care.