What can an anesthesiologist do that a CRNA can’t?

[glassesvar]

An anesthesiologists training is far superior to a CRNAs. Anyone that has a brain and has a decent understanding of how the two paths work can deduce this. However, I’m only a premed, and I don’t know all the details and intricacies of what exactly a anesthesiologist can do that a CRNA can’t. Of course I understand that they are better able to handle more complex cases, but could anyone describe in greater (and more concrete) detail exactly what the differences are? And also how exactly the training is more rigorous?

I ask because my cousin (who is a CRNA) has been constantly teasing my brother about how my brother is stupid for wasting so much money and going to medical school to become an anesthesiologist when he could’ve become a CRNA and saved time and money. He claims that CRNAs can do everything an anesthesiologist can, sometimes even better because they actually do more cases than anesthesiologists. This has seriously been pissing me off, especially seeing how hard my brother works.

I want to lay everything down properly for my cousin to shut him up once and for all. I already asked my brother to but he doesn’t want to start drama. Anything any of you have got that I could dish, I would seriously be greatful.

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[vector2]

Stay at work past 3pm without filling out an overtime slip

 

[Planktonmd]

An anesthesiologist is a physician while a CRNA is a nurse! that's the main difference.
So one of them practices medicine while the other executes memorized protocols.

 

[T-burglar]

modern anesthesia is so safe and most anesthetics in the community are simple enough that it's hard to see a difference if you're just looking at major complication rates between the two

The real difference is hard to appreciate unless you're a nurse or doctor yourself and you watch the two of them try to handle crises or better yet: plan for and avoid crises in the first place.

The other ugly truth is there are CRNAs who probably are better providers than some anesthesiologists. Not all doctors are doctors, if you know what i mean.

 

[anbuitachi]

An anesthesiologists training is far superior to a CRNAs. Anyone that has a brain and has a decent understanding of how the two paths work can deduce this. However, I’m only a premed, and I don’t know all the details and intricacies of what exactly a anesthesiologist can do that a CRNA can’t. Of course I understand that they are better able to handle more complex cases, but could anyone describe in greater (and more concrete) detail exactly what the differences are? And also how exactly the training is more rigorous?

I ask because my cousin (who is a CRNA) has been constantly teasing my brother about how my brother is stupid for wasting so much money and going to medical school to become an anesthesiologist when he could’ve become a CRNA and saved time and money. He claims that CRNAs can do everything an anesthesiologist can, sometimes even better because they actually do more cases than anesthesiologists. This has seriously been pissing me off, especially seeing how hard my brother works.

I want to lay everything down properly for my cousin to shut him up once and for all. I already asked my brother to but he doesn’t want to start drama. Anything any of you have got that I could dish, I would seriously be greatful.

Lol at the CRNA doing more cases. Many places do 1:4 coverage, 1 anesthesiologist in charge of 4 CRNAs. The anesthesiologist is accumulating 4 times as many cases as each CRNA. In what universe is the CRNA doing more cases.

The problem with your situation is its hard to overcome the ignorant, they dont know what they dont know.

Like what someone above said, one practices medicine whil the other just executes memorized protocols.
And it's more than what you can or cannot do, cause you can try to learn anything you want, doesn't mean you'll be as good. A medicine NP can take care of all patients doesn't mean he'll be as good with diagnosis/treatment as a medicine doctor. A medicine doctor can take care of complex heart or rheumatologic problems if they really but doesn't mean he'll be as good as a cardiologist or rheumatologist. Length and type of training does matter.

 

[Guillemot]

The difference between anesthesiologists and CRNA are in two main areas: cognitive abilities and education. Anesthesiologists receive more education and the bar for entry into the training path is higher allowing for selection of more talented individuals. It would be technically correct though to say that there is nothing that an anesthesiologist can do that anyone else cant do. I've worked with a good amount of physicians that are *****s though so having a profession with a lower bar to entry running the show does not sound appealing to me.

 

[HomeSkool]

I have the utmost respect for the CRNAs I work with, who I consider colleagues and friends. At my institution, they're a highly-trained, professional, hard-working bunch. But our roles are different, and by recognizing and respecting our differences we're able to collaborate rather than compete with one another.

Anesthesiologists have breadth and depth of training that CRNAs don't. Our value is not, as many believe, the ability to intubate, place invasive lines, or even perform routine regional techniques. Our true value lies in our ability to analyze multiple data inputs, plan and direct complex anesthetics, function as advanced perioperative care consultants, lead crisis management teams, and interact with surgeons as equals in delivering patient care and running the operating suite. Those complex management functions are what our training prepares us to do, and patients benefit when all caregivers -- MD, CRNA, RN, and others -- recognize that. ZDoggMD discussed how some midlevel providers try to work beyond the scope of their training but also noted that some physicians feel threatened because they're insecure about their own abilities; in essence, he said some midlevels are trying to work above their license while some docs are working at the bottom of theirs, and eff both kinds of people. I agree. Intubating, putting in arterial lines, running straightforward anesthetics...these things are important, but my true value as an anesthesiologist lies at the top of my license, not the bottom.

 

[deleted59964]

I'm pretty sure I know where this thread is going

 

[dannyboy1]

Anesthesiologists have breadth and depth of training that CRNAs don't. Our value is not, as many believe, the ability to intubate, place invasive lines, or even perform routine regional techniques. Our true value lies in our ability to analyze multiple data inputs, plan and direct complex anesthetics, function as advanced perioperative care consultants, lead crisis management teams, and interact with surgeons as equals in delivering patient care and running the operating suite. Those complex management functions are what our training prepares us to do, and patients benefit when all caregivers -- MD, CRNA, RN, and others -- recognize that.

That may be true. However surgeons and hospital administrators don’t really want us doing these things. They want us doing as many cases as possible with as few delays as possible. “Advanced perioperative consultants”. Please. It’s more like “can we go back to the room already, I have cardiac clearance “. Most days I find myself either signing charts for straightforward anesthetics on relatively healthy patients or doing the cases myself. Either way, it would be hard for me to point to the value I bring over that of an experienced CRNA. Don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy to be paid well to do straightforward cases I’m just wondering how long can it last.....

 

[Adrenaline Junky]

Slightly off topic, but I spoke to an attending Anesthesiologist yesterday and we were discussing the whold CRNA encroachment issue. He told me that if he had believed what everyone told him 12 years ago while he was a medical student regarding the CRNA take over the field, he would've missed out on an amazing specialty. He said there's always talk about the end of the field but CRNAs always prove to deliver care that is nowhere near matched the skills of an attending in terms of critical thinking and planning to avoid complications. Disclaimer: I am only a high school student, not a medical student.

 

[anbuitachi]

Slightly off topic, but I spoke to an attending Anesthesiologist yesterday and we were discussing the whold CRNA encroachment issue. He told me that if he had believed what everyone told him 12 years ago while he was a medical student regarding the CRNA take over the field, he would've missed out on an amazing specialty. He said there's always talk about the end of the field but CRNAs always prove to deliver care that is nowhere near matched the skills of an attending in terms of critical thinking and planning to avoid complications. Disclaimer: I am only a high school student, not a medical student.

It's a decent field, but we are all able people. It can be so much better to keep it short

 

[Ronin786]

What can Tom Brady do that Christian Hackenberg can't?

Former NFL 2nd-round pick Christian Hackenberg benched by AAF coach Mike Singletary

 

[MoMoGesiologist]

Why does anyone respond to these threads? It's been talked about so many times on here, so not sure if OP doesn't know how to use the search function or if a troll. I swear the next thread on this topic is gonna come up next month and start off with "I'm currently in elementary school but I know I want to be a cardiac anesthesiologist but mommy says nurses can do the job as good as doctors what should I do?"

Can we please stop defending our existence?

 

[Modanq]

There is a difference between a profession and a job. One makes money by putting you to sleep, the other makes money by waking you up. You can choose who you will take.

 

[GlowInTheDark]

Seems appropriate to repost this chart.

For a CRNA to think they can do everything an anesthesiologist does just shows how little of the practice they understand. We’re trained to be physicians that specialize in anesthesiology. They’re trained to be nurses that deliver anesthesia.

 

[anbuitachi]

Why does anyone respond to these threads? It's been talked about so many times on here, so not sure if OP doesn't know how to use the search function or if a troll. I swear the next thread on this topic is gonna come up next month and start off with "I'm currently in elementary school but I know I want to be a cardiac anesthesiologist but mommy says nurses can do the job as good as doctors what should I do?"

Can we please stop defending our existence?

i dont think anyone wants to but unfortunately, not just here, but many places, we are forced to 'defend' our existence. it seems like all we do is defend these days. we should attack people for once

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Closing.

 

[CopaceticOne]

Closing.

Or leaving it open for more fun discussion?😉

 

[Twiggidy]

Would you rather be Lewis Hamilton or one of the pit crew? Both can technically drive the car