By Exec Edge Editorial Staff
In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, choosing a specialty is a pivotal decision for medical students and aspiring healthcare professionals. Anesthesiology stands out as a compelling option for several reasons. It offers a rewarding career with many specialties in a branch of medicine that faces a nationwide shortfall of practitioners.
The U.S. is grappling with a significant shortage of anesthesia clinicians, a situation that is projected to worsen. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has reported that the percentage of facilities experiencing anesthesia staffing shortages has surged from 35 percent in early 2020 to 78 percent in late 2022. This is caused by an aging workforce, increased demand for surgical procedures and a limited number of existing practitioners. By 2036, the U.S. could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians, with anesthesiologists comprising a substantial portion of that deficit.
This means that for medical school and nursing graduates, as well as others considering healthcare as a field, anesthesiology offers an attractive career path and one that provides stability and growth opportunities.
Anesthesia clinicians include anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAA). They can tailor their careers to their interests and expertise. The specialty of anesthesia has a wide range of sub-specialties—specific areas of anesthesia requiring added expertise. These include cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, pain management, obstetrics and more. This range provides anesthesiologists with intellectually stimulating and professionally fulfilling work. It means that for medical students and healthcare professionals seeking a challenging and rewarding career, anesthesiology is an ideal choice.
Anesthesia clinicians are in high demand across the United States. Whether in urban centers or rural communities, anesthesiologists, CRNAs and CAAs can find employment opportunities that align with their lifestyle preferences. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for those who wish to balance their professional and personal lives.
Anesthesiologists and other anesthesia clinicians can work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery facilities, academic medical centers and the military. This versatility allows professionals to select environments that best suit their career goals and lifestyle preferences.
For those considering a career in anesthesiology, U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP) offers a compelling model of clinician-led practices with local governance and a positive culture. USAP is a physician-owned and physician-led organization, ensuring that clinical decisions are made by those who understand the intricacies of patient care. Each practice within USAP operates with its own local governance, allowing for autonomy and tailored approaches to healthcare delivery.
For clinicians just entering the field of anesthesiology, USAP offers an array of practice models and facilities, ensuring a wide variety of geographic locations and scheduling choices that align with your lifestyle needs.
USAP helps develop its clinicians throughout their careers and is committed to creating a positive work culture that prioritizes the well-being of its clinicians. Initiatives such as culture committees, Clinical Operations Committee and a National Care Team Advisory Council ensure decisions are clinician-centric and enable the best in patient care. An annual USAP Leadership conference and robust clinical and business curriculum foster an environment of continuous learning and allow clinicians to develop and further their skillsets and careers at their own pace.
The result of clinician autonomy and career-long professional development is increased patient satisfaction, a fact validated by company surveys. Patients have strong positive experiences with USAP’s clinicians (over 96 percent rating their anesthesia experience as “good” or “great,” well above national benchmarks).
Anesthesiology offers a unique and rewarding career path for medical students, nurses and other aspiring healthcare professionals. With diverse specializations, geographic flexibility, and varied work settings, the field presents numerous advantages. Organizations such as U.S. Anesthesia Partners exemplify the benefits of clinician-led practices with local governance and a positive work culture. For those seeking a challenging and impactful career in healthcare, anesthesiology is an attractive choice that promises both professional fulfillment and personal growth.
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