The survey, conducted in 2007, found that 40 percent of CRNAs and anesthesiologists worked as part of single group, whereas another 40 percent were employed by a single facility or hospital. The remaining 20 percent worked for multiple groups or on a locum tenens basis.
The study also found that anesthesiologists worked more hours, but made twice as much as CRNAs. Anesthesiologists also worked more with general anesthesia while CRNAs spent more time on monitored anesthesia care.
Rural markets were more likely to employ CRNAs than anesthesiologists, and anesthesia providers in rural areas were more likely to work for a single, smaller facility than in urban areas. Rural anesthesia providers also made more money and worked longer hours than those in urban areas, according to the study.
Regional differences included employment by anesthesiologists and CRNAs in the West; anesthesiologists were more likely employed by groups, where as CRNAs were not. Interactions between the two were also less frequent in the West. In the Northeast, however, CRNAs and anesthesiologists often were employed by larger facilities than in the West and worked on similar procedures.
The study also found that 54 percent of states are experiencing anesthesiologist shortages, whereas 60 percent are experiencing CRNA shortages.
Read the executive study of RAND’s “An Analysis of the Labor Markets for Anesthesiology.” (pdf).
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