The anesthesia shortages plaguing providers and practices nationwide promises to be an ongoing challenge headed into 2024.
Here are five key numbers for physician leaders to know:
1. More than 2,872 anesthesiologists left the workforce from 2021 to 2022.
2. In the 2022 match, 44% of applicants seeking an anesthesiology residency did not match.
3. In 2021, the Association of American Medical Colleges predicted a shortage of 12,500 anesthesiologists by 2033.
4. Of all active anesthesiologists in 2021, 56.9% were 55 or older.
5. ASCs are struggling to afford to pay anesthesiologists as costs soar. "Anesthesia used to be a seemingly unlimited commodity," Jeff Dottl, principal at Ventura, Calif.-based Physicians Surgery Centers, told Becker's. "They were lucky to be invited to work at your surgery center. The tables have turned, and now if centers have anyone to cover anesthesia, it usually comes at a hefty price."