anesthesiology competitiveness and its future

[chemist157]

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So, all things considered would you veterans (milmed, jetpropilot, etc) still choose anesthesiology if graduating med school in the next year or so? What are the predictions? Difficulty finding jobs, lower compensation (~200K)...? I could see where the compensation is no longer 300-400K but will it be equal to a CRNA (or primary care doc for that matter) and where you can't find a job because the CRNA's are more "cost effective"? Any thoughts on specific predictions?

 

[chemist157]

So, all things considered would you veterans (milmed, jetpropilot, etc) still choose anesthesiology if graduating med school in the next year or so? What are the predictions? Difficulty finding jobs, lower compensation (~200K)...? I could see where the compensation is no longer 300-400K but will it be equal to a CRNA (or primary care doc for that matter) and where you can't find a job because the CRNA's are more "cost effective"? Any thoughts on specific predictions?

Anybody? There has to be enough "veterans" on this site with an opinion.

 

[2ndyear]

I'm no veteran, but I am almost done with residency. Would I do it over again? Well, yes. Even if I make what a PCP does, I'd rather spend my days doing anesthesia than seeing patients in an office. The one big disadvantage we have is the non-ability to go to a cash-only practice like, say derm or plastics, or even concierege primary care. But I don't think that that's really an easy no risk road for people who decide to go that route either.

 

[Monty Python]

I'm no veteran, but I am almost done with residency. Would I do it over again? Well, yes. Even if I make what a PCP does, I'd rather spend my days doing anesthesia than seeing patients in an office. The one big disadvantage we have is the non-ability to go to a cash-only practice like, say derm or plastics, or even concierege primary care. But I don't think that that's really an easy no risk road for people who decide to go that route either.

Not necessarily ... after you've established your reputation and have taken the time to network and play the political game, you might be able to land a spot in a plastic surgeon's in-office OR, doing anesthesia for cosmetic work which is $$ up front.

Or you could go to work for Uncle Sam (VA, military, NIH). While the pay scale up front looks lower, it also comes with a guaranteed monthly pay check (irregardless of how busy/slow you were), no billing hassles, no business-side worries, etc. Malpractice is provided, and you can't beat the retirement and other benefits. Assuming there's a vacancy you also have the ability to move around the country and see different parts of it, all the while remaining with the same employer as your seniority and tenure continue.

 

[Bart Clarridge]

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For many of us, it is too late to fully pull out based on the financial burden accrued. I suspect many more would leave the profession( medicine, not anesthesia per se ) if they could reasonably do so: they are just afraid to openly, and in all seriousness , say so. Just my .02

Yeah, this is the kind of insight the pre-meds need to see (though they will likely ignore it as I did ).

When I was in college a guy (doctor in the community) came in and said college will be the best time of your life. I thought, "this is one bitter old man." I was working and studing hard in college, but it looks like the old man was right.

BTW, when I was in college a friend asked me if I would still go to med. school if I had a million dollars. Assuming he really meant to say, "If you were rich," I said, "Of course. What else would I do?" But after seeing the system for what it is and how residents are treated, yeah it becomes more of a job. And you become a bit more cynical--at least most of us do.

 

[deleted126335]

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