Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue from services		$ 222,523	$ 214,988	$ 199,443	$ 196,583	$ 193,148	$ 195,692	$ 192,617	$ 185,964	$ 833,537	$ 767,421	$ 617,825
Gross profit		57,633	58,210	54,846	51,046	50,479	51,486	48,363	47,037
Consolidated net income (loss)		(7,649)	14,289	(17,095)	19,186	(5,927)	5,151	2,680	3,050	8,731	4,954	(31,534)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$ (7,884)	$ 14,066	$ (17,237)	$ 19,022	$ (6,098)	$ 5,009	$ 2,573	$ 2,934	$ 7,967	$ 4,418	$ (31,783)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - Basic (usd per share)		$ (0.24)	$ 0.44	$ (0.54)	$ 0.60	$ (0.19)	$ 0.16	$ 0.08	$ 0.09	$ 0.25	$ 0.14	$ (1.02)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders - Diluted (usd per share)		$ (0.24)	$ 0.22	$ (0.54)	$ 0.09	$ (0.19)	$ 0.16	$ 0.08	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.14	$ (1.02)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Changes in the fair value of convertible notes derivative liability		$ (14,200)	$ 7,100	$ (3,600)	$ 16,400	$ (9,500)	$ (2,900)	$ 400	$ 2,100
Impairment charges				24,300		2,100				$ 24,311	$ 2,100	$ 10,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt										1,568	0	0
Pre-tax loss on sale of the business										0	2,184	0
Acquisition-related contingent consideration										814	0	0
Restructuring costs										$ 753	1,274	$ 840
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Cross Country Education, LLC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax loss on sale of the business	$ 2,200										2,200
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax											$ 1,300
Second Lien Term Loan, net
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				1,600
Second Lien Term Loan, net | Subordinated Debt
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				1,600
Mediscan
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		100	200	$ 200	$ 300	0	0	0	$ 0
Centralization of Corporate Functions
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		$ 200	$ 600
Cost Optimization Project
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Restructuring costs						$ 100	$ 200	$ 1,000