Here's what I think.
The encroachment battle is not unique to anesthesia. Look at family practice, peds, radiology (films to India for cheaper price), emergency medicine, burn surgeons, etc.
As a physician, if you are not practicing to the full level of your license, there could some day be an issue, regardless of your field. In anesthesiology, if you want to work at a GI center Monday to Friday from 8 to 5 with no nights, weekends, or holidays... You may have an issue. Same goes for private practice docs that don't have the sickest patients or don't do big/cutting edge procedures.
At the end of the day, I don't feel like the sky is falling like some of my colleagues. Then again, I work in academic medicine where I do research, clinical practice, and education of residents. I'll always be at the tip of the spear. And, for the record, I am a realist with pessimistic leanings. Not trying to spit-shine this topic.
I could go into more detail, but for the sake of brevity, I won't. I think the field is fine as long as you are using your whole skill set. I do think, however, that some subspecialties and practice models are better protectef than others.
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