Posted by Dave J on May 4, 2007, 12:42 am, in reply to "SCOPE OF PRACTICE"
A follow up on my above post..
It does seem that there are a number of CRNAs out there who are concerned about their future. They see AAs as a threat because with more providers, the supply will be high and the pay will be lower. As a result, they want to use the time old tradition of putting in place a "practice law" to restrict what others can do and thus protect their income. As much as I hate to say it, from the posts of my fellow CRNAs, all of their comments seemed to be nothing but a continuation of the "MDAs want total control" view point.
MY view point is that we are running into an anesthesia shortage in the USA and neither the ASA or the AANA have come up with any reasonable solution to the problem. Neither has a plan to increase the members of their speciality to the level needed for the future. Since THEY BOTH are failing, we need a third group to solve the problem. And that is AAs. I really do not care HOW someone becomes a safe, competent anesthesia provider as long as they are safe and competent.
In my opinion, the AANA and CRNAs are both acting in a rather irrational manner. They say you do not have to be a MD/DO to give safe anesthesia. But then they turn around and say you have to be an RN to give safe anesthesia. Can they not see the illogic of their view?
But on the flip side, if the ASA says AAs are as safe as CRNAs, then why does the ASA say the AAs can not be independent practitioners? We have a bit of irrational thought from that side also.
Which is why I say, the AA practice laws and standards of practice must be generated by the AAs themselves, not by other groups.....
