Anesthesiologist Shortages Globally

A looming shortage of anesthesiologists globally may affect the accessibility of healthcare in the next ten years. The American Association of Medical Colleges predicts that there will be a workforce gap of as many as 12,500 anesthesiologists in the United States by 2033 (3). Similarly, a study from the UK suggests that there will be a shortage of 11,000 anesthetic staff members by 2040, preventing 8.25 million operations from taking place (3). Growing shortages of anesthesiologists globally could significantly impact the availability of surgeries and other medical procedures, especially in rural and low-income areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many healthcare workers to exit the workforce in the past few years by creating a more stressful working environment in hospitals and clinics (3). A changing world population and limited training opportunities in anesthesiology are other factors to consider. In order to recruit and retain skilled anesthesiologists, healthcare systems worldwide need to evolve to support the well-being and work-life balance of both the profession’s older and newer members.

Various factors have contributed to the growing workforce gap for anesthesiologists. An aging population has correlated with an increasing demand for surgical and anesthesia services that has outpaced the number of anesthesiologists entering the profession (5). Furthermore, the uneven distribution of anesthesiologists across regions means that rural and lower-income areas face more significant challenges in ensuring that anesthesiologists are available to provide perioperative care (5).

Additionally, the limited number of residency slots and lack of funding for medical education in the United States have restricted the number of anesthesiologists entering the field yearly (2). In 2022, 43% of medical students who applied for an anesthesiology residency did not match with a residency program (2). Although the US Congress has started working toward creating more residency positions, accredited institutions that can provide residencies may not receive federal funding for these spots, disincentivizing them from making more residencies available (2). Education and clinical training is crucial globally to address anesthesiologist shortages.

In the United Kingdom, a study published by the Association of Anaesthetists found that more anesthesiologists were retiring early in the last few years (3). The top factors contributing to the decision to retire included health and well-being, workload, and burnout, suggesting that anesthesiologists’ working environments fail to prioritize clinicians’ health and well-being (3). In particular, the study argues that anesthesiology departments must provide more significant support for older clinicians experiencing health issues, fatigue, or hearing and vision loss (3).

Creating systems and structures that allow anesthesiologists to “pace their careers” may help retain experienced anesthesiologists, who can help mentor younger members of the field (3). For example, anesthesiology departments can create policies that support older doctors experiencing menopause and ensure that equipment is easily accessible for older anesthesiologists experiencing hearing or vision loss (3). Furthermore, increasing residency positions in anesthesiology is critical for maintaining the anesthesiology workforce in the coming years (2). A study on anesthesiology residency programs found that expanding residency programs resulted in significant cost savings for healthcare organizations, considering that the cost per hour of clinical coverage for residents is far lower than that of paying nurse anesthetists overtime (2). Accordingly, the study suggests that institutions might consider expanding their residency programs even if they do not receive additional federal funding (2).

Improving recruitment and retention strategies for anesthesiologists and offering more robust support to clinicians is imperative to ensure that there will be enough anesthesiologists for necessary medical procedures in the upcoming years. It is also important to distribute existing anesthesiologists, as low resource areas tend to experience exacerbated shortages of skilled healthcare providers. Drawing providers to such areas can increase equitable access and improve anesthesiologist shortages globally.

References

1. “Action needed to avert anesthetist shortage of 11,000 by 2040, which could affect over 8 million operations.” Medical Xpress, Sept 28 2022,
2. “Additional anesthesiology residency positions may help hospitals save costs, address projected workforce shortages of anesthesia care professionals.” ASA Monitor, Jan 27, 2023, https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2023/01/additional-anesthesiology-residency-positions-may-help-hospitals-save-costs
3. Davies, et al. “Age and the anaesthetist: considerations for the individual anaesthetist and workforce planning.” Anaesthesia, 29 Sept 2022, vol. 77, no. 11, pp. 1259-1267.
4. “How Physician Shortages Could Change the Future of Anesthesiology.” Anesthesiology News, Sept 19 2020, https://www.anesthesiologynews.com/Policy-and-Management/Article/01-20/How-Physician-Shortages-Could-Change-The-Future-of-Anesthesiology/59531
5. Simoneaux, Richard. “Are We Facing an Anesthesiologist Shortage?” ASA Monitor, January 2022, https://pubs.asahq.org/monitor/article-abstract/86/1/1/118103/Are-We-Facing-an-Anesthesiologist-Shortage?redirectedFrom=fulltext
6. “The Anesthesia Provider Shortage.” Medicus, June 7, 2023, https://medicushcs.com/resources/the-anesthesia-provider-shortage