Regional and Gender Differences and Trends in the Anesthesiologist Workforce.
BACKGROUND
Concerns have long existed about potential shortages in the anesthesiologist workforce. In addition, many changes have occurred in the economy, demographics, and the healthcare sector in the last few years, which may impact the workforce. The authors documented workforce trends by region of the United States and gender, trends that may have implications for the supply and demand of anesthesiologists.


METHODS
The authors conducted a national survey of American Society of Anesthesiologists members (accounting for >80% of all practicing anesthesiologists in the United States) in 2007 and repeated it in 2013. The authors used logistic regression analysis and Seemingly Unrelated Regression to test across several indicators under an overarching hypothesis.


RESULTS
Anesthesiologists in Western states had markedly different patterns of practice relative to anesthesiologists in other regions in 2007 and 2013, including differences in employer type, the composition of anesthesia teams, and the time spent on monitored anesthesia care. The number and proportion of female anesthesiologists in the workforce increased between 2007 and 2013, and females differed from males in employment arrangements, compensation, and work hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Regional differences remained stable during this time period although the reasons for these differences are speculative. Similarly, how and whether the gender difference in work hours and shift to younger anesthesiologists during this period will impact workforce needs is uncertain.
From the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.B.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California (L.D., K.B.K., A.A.).
Matthew
M
Baird
Lindsay
L
Daugherty
Krishna B
KB
Kumar
Aziza
A
Arifkhanova
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000639:trends*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology