Posted by dd on November 22, 2008, 12:32 pm, in reply to "CRNAs going to doctorate, what does that mean for AAs"
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"Will they be seen as inferior to CRNAs"? The doctors assistants (AAs) seem to enjoy describing themselves with the comical "mid level" provider term. Unlike CRNAs, with the doctors assistant's A$A mandated total dependence on an anesthesiologist, a more accurate term would be "lowest level" provider. This is the case now, and will be the case no matter what advanced degree CRNAs posses.
With the coming health care reform, get ready for the A$A billing practices for "direction" and "supervision" to take a big hit. The effect on CRNAs will be minimal. The effect on the doctors assistant will be huge. As ratios for supervision and or direction inevitably rise (read past A$A President Lema on this subject) good luck coming up with enough PAC money to buy changes in A$A mandated state laws regarding AA supervisory ratios.
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