Anesthesia has changed drastically over the last several years, as reimbursement policies, a staffing crisis and technology development have created shifts in the anesthesia workforce.
Jerry Campbell, a retired CRNA of 53 years in Emporia, Kan,. joined Becker’s to share his insights for aspiring anesthesiologists.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length:
Question: If you were advising a medical student considering anesthesia, what would you tell them about the future of the specialty?
JC: If I were advising a medical school or nursing school student about a career in anesthesia, I’d tell them it better be a calling and your passion. High incomes without adequate third-party reimbursement cannot continue indefinitely. Finances in healthcare are going to be a continuing challenge and I believe it will get worse before it gets better. Being able to “supervise” or “direct” four CRNAs or anesthesia assistants is too expensive a model and will be phased out as it already has been in some locations. I had a prospective AA student shadow me and I explained this to them, too. The practice of anesthesia will eventually be left to those who can practice independently as CRNAs have proven we can do.
