The Lazy, Lackadaisical MDAs

[TheNextCRNA]

In what clinical setting, do you see MDAs administering the anesthesia, sitting alongside the patient monitoring him or her during the case?

I've shadowed in 6 hospitals and 1 surgery center and not once have I seen an MDA doing the case in the OR, always the CRNA. Is Florida just wacky like that? Where must I go to see the MDA doing the case?

Thanks

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

You're arguing that a narrow, limited function education (CRNA) is equivalent to a broad, in-depth medical education as an MDA.

What is the difference in anesthesia outcomes between a CRNA and MDA?

There is limit to how much theoretical knowledge has in clinical significance, if it was simply more education equals better outcomes then the MD/PhD would obviously be the peak of medical education.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

What is the difference in anesthesia outcomes between a CRNA and MDA?

There is limit to how much theoretical knowledge has in clinical significance, if it was simply more education equals better outcomes then the MD/PhD would obviously be the peak of medical education.

Two things: One, this sounds like an analog to the ADN/BSN debate. Two, where is that limit you speak of? If there truly is a limit, it likely would have been found, been well-published, and there would be little need for further research in any area of Medicine as any further knowledge gained would not make a difference in outcomes.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

The idea that more medical education (i.e. Physician training versus APN especially) produces better patient outcomes has been well studied, and I have actually posted some of those studies in my recent posts.

There are also several studies about ADN/BSN outcomes, but those are a whole other thread that has little to do with provider level education.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

this sounds like an analog to the ADN/BSN debate.

It is in many ways. In both cases the data is the most important. And the data supports BSNs like it supports CRNAs and NPs.

Sent from my iPhone.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

OP, I know the responses here were probably not what you hoped for. I hope you can still take them in the spirit with which they were intended- there is NO place for an Us vs. Them mentality in health care.

I'm an RN with a master's degree, as well as a CPM and a student CNM (5 months left, and counting!!!!). I've been in L&D for almost 14 years now. I believe strongly that APRNs should be paid the same amount as physicians, when we are doing the same work. I should be paid the same rate for doing a birth as an OB. This is not the same as saying that I have the same breadth of knowledge as an OBGYN, nor am I arguing that my overall income should be commensurate to that of a physician. No way, no how. The attending on my unit might "supervise" 30+ deliveries on his/her shift and not perform a single one themselves, or even lay eyes on more than a handful of the most acute patients. They are not loafing around eating bonbons, trust me. They don't get paid enough for what they do.

Your post sounds very dismissive of MDAs. Maybe you can take these responses to heart, sit on them for 5-10 years, and revisit ithe discussion if/when you actually have some practical CRNA experience to draw from.