Here are five recent statistics and data points that illustrate the mounting pressures facing anesthesiologists:
1. Anesthesiologists have the highest intent to leave their roles out of all physician specialists, with 40.6% expressing interest in leaving their current jobs within the next two years, according to a June 24 report from the American Medical Association.
2. Anesthesiology ranks fifth among specialties projected to face the most severe physician shortage, according to the Clinician Workforce Insights Report from Axuall.
3. By 2036, the U.S. is expected to be facing a shortage of 6,300 anesthesiologists nationwide, according to a white paper from Medicus Healthcare Solutions published May 21.
4. While there are 178 anesthesiology residency programs and 1,695 anesthesiology residency positions available in the U.S., around 44% of medical students seeking residencies in anesthesiology did not match in 2024, according to the Medicus white paper.
5. Around 50% of anesthesiologists report feeling burned out and depressed, according to the Medicus white paper, while 61% would take less pay for a better work-life balance and 51% attribute burnout to too many hours at work.
