anesthetist vs anesthesiologist

[caffine]

Hi, i was reading an earlier post about possible interview questions and one of them was:

"Do you know the difference between a nurse anesthetist and an anesthesiologist ?"

It kind of hit me that im not really sure of the answer, i know this sounds kind of dumb but i was hoping someone could clarify what the actual difference is, thanks for your help.

[jdpete]

I probably deserved some of the grief I got, and I accept. There is one good doc where I work, that is real hands on and helps out some, but the majority are definitely on the lazy side, that is my point. The one good young doc we have is slowly getting sucked into the practice of his colleagues though, and is getting less "hands on" than he was. It does however surprise me that a doc would scout a "nursing board" and actually get mad enough to go off like that. I forgot to mention radiologist as probably being easier too, if that makes a difference. Burn out? I can give you that if you do hearts all day, or even run a room of your own. But burnout at my rural hospital? These guys have been around forever, there is no burnout around here, I can tell you that. They have it made, anybody in this OR will agree with that. I am not saying I am smarter, work harder, or deserve more money. (OK, I do work harder) But it would just be nice to see these guys drop their newspapers, eat breakfast at home instead of the anesthesia office at 8:45, check their stocks after the market closes instead of keeping tabs ALL DAY LONG, actually give a break or a lunch now and then, maybe help you turn a room over, move a patient, etc etc etc, instead of "pushing and pushing for room turnover to go home for the day. We take 24 hour in house call and sometimes stay over the next day for up to 6 hrs. So I am a little biased. I respect "most" of their intelligence, and like all of them for the most part personally. I have never seen one start a case and get it going so you can take 20 minutes. They act as if the place could implode if they go in the room for more than 5 minutes with you out of it.

I feel as if the patient benefits from the team of both providers, no question. I think you guys are really intelligent, and I go to them when I have to without a doubt. But as you told me, walk in our shoes just for a while. It gets pretty damn aggravating as well.

As for user 69,,,I know about all your chemistry, thanks for the input. But I stand behind my statement. I personally know of an anesthesiologist who has a bachelor of some kind of foreign art. Yes, I know they take chemistry, physics, etc etc etc to get in med school, I am not a complete idiot. Only point being, the years of school is always thrown in our face---as if to say that they had 13 yrs of anesthesia and we had 6. I also know that 4 years of SICU is not BETTER than Med school. If you read between the lines, I am just saying that it is not always as big of difference as they would like to make it.

[TraumaNurse]

I have to agree with Dave that this whole argument of who is better is very tiresome and silly really. I also agree there is a place for both providers and that just as there are good CRNAs and MDs, there are also many CRNAs and MDAs alike that are useless. I have worked with brilliant MDAs in the ICU who have great knowledge and technical skills. I have had great respect for these people. However, I have also worked with MDAs and residents that I can't figure out how they made it out of medical school at all and the only thing I can think of, is that they are 'book-smart' but clinically pathetic. Same will be true of CRNAs.

I think it is appropriate for CRNAs to lobby and educate the public about their significant and important roles and that they do provide high quality, safe anesthesia, but to get into "I'm better than you", "I am more educated than you", statements get so ridiculous that it takes away from the ligitamacy of the argument.

Keep in mind, I have not started school yet, but I have enough experience with both providers to know that many times it is about the individual, not the initials after their name that make for a great provider. CRNAs are well educated and do provide excellent and safe care, but I don't see why some people need to make comparisons between the education of a CRNA and an MDA. MDAs DO have much more education and experience in their schooling/residency, no argument from me. Does this mean that ALL anesthesiologists are excellent at taking care of people and providing high quality anesthesia, I don't think so.

Each type of provider should be given the respect they deserve. I may be dreaming, but that is my opinion.

[athomas91]

i really, truly , honestly wasn't going to comment...but i feel driven to say a few small things.

1. i respect ALL medically trained individuals esp. CRNA's and MDA's because it is surely not an easy road to traverse - and not only takes intelligence but also time and a huge amount of determination....

however....i think that when placing new CRNA's against new MDA's it is very much individual dependent. Some CNRA's have had extensive training in Central line placement and regional techniques...and i work w/ some CRNA's who are heads above some of the MDA's - BUT AGAIN - it is individual dependent....some of the posters have stated that medical school is hard...etc...etc... well yes it is....and yet they still have to learn how to do an IV - which some nurses can do in the dark, with their eyes closed and one hand tied behind their back.... so how about instead of having this petty who is better than who...and who had a harder o-chem class - we just agree that the pt is our priority and when we work together as a team we are surely unbeatable!

for the origional poster....the difference is a CRNA is a nurse an MDA is a doctor - however CRNA's can work independently and do not require supervision - this is of course state and facility dependent...

[Ava's mom]

Wow, what an incredible dialogue. I am impressed with the passion and fortitude that all of you have shown. I have really learned a lot about the different perspectives and thank the original poster for starting this thread!!

[Tenesma]

bottomline

i think the original poster had an excellent question - which is bound to come up during interviews for CRNA school... My posts (in my defense) were primarily directed at those who have minimal experience in the field and are way too cocky for their pants.

i think they are interested in a few answers

1) difference in training and exposure

2) difference in philosophy

3) difference in legal and billing issues

by addressing those three points you will have an excellent answer to that question.... all they want is for you to show logical deductive reasoning, they don't expect you to know anything beyond that...