Five-year follow-up on the work force and finances of United States anesthesiology training programs: 2000 to 2005.
BACKGROUND
In the middle 1990s, there was a decrease in anesthesiology residency class sizes, which contributed to a nationwide shortage of anesthesiologists, resulting in a competitive market with increased salary demands. In 1999, a nationwide survey of the financial status of United States anesthesiology training programs was conducted. Follow-up surveys have been conducted each year thereafter. We present the results of the sixth survey in this series.


METHODS
Surveys were distributed by e-mail to the anesthesiology department chairs of the United States Training Programs. Responses were also received by e-mail.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-one departments were surveyed with a response rate of 60%. The 87% of departments seeking at least one additional faculty had an average of 2.8 faculty open positions (5.5% open positions overall which is down from 9.7% in 2000). Of the 96% of departments that employ certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) 89% were seeking additional CRNAs, averaging 3.6 open positions. The average department received $4.9 million (or $116,000/faculty) in institutional support. When the portion of this support allocated for CRNA salaries was removed, the average department received $4.1 million (or $95,000/faculty) in institutional support. This is a 16% increase over the previous year. Faculty academic time averaged 17% (where 20% is 1 d/wk). Departments billed an average of 11,320 anesthesia units/faculty/yr. Although the average anesthesia unit value collected was $31, departments required approximately $40/U to meet expenses. Medicaid payments averaged $15, ranging from $5 to $30/U.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the continuing need for institutional support to keep anesthesiology training departments financially stable.
Tremper
Kevin K
KK
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0048, USA. ktremper@umich.edu
Shanks
Amy
A
Morris
Michelle
M
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000761:Anesthesia Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000191:economics* / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005378:Financial Support; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000191:economics; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010560:Personnel Selection; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce