Posted by Dave J on January 19, 2008, 9:21 pm, in reply to "AAs vs. CRNAs"
1. There has been no study comparing AAs to CRNAs. A retrospective chart review done in Ohio showed no differences in the MDA/AA team vs the MDA/CRNA team as far as care given. The biggest argument by the CRNAs that they are "better" is that they can work independently but that is more an issue of licensure, they are ALLOWED to work independently by nursing practice acts whereas the AAs are not. (Keep in mind the AA practice laws are only in place in a few states and the maximum scope of practice of the AAs has yet to be determined.)
2. I do believe the discussion is based upon emotions. Tell someone their job is threatened (even if it is not) and they do tend to get very emotional. And that is what I think the majority of my fellow CRNAs are coming from.
3. Some do. See #2.
4. Since AAs are suppose to be anesthesiology assistants, there are some things they are not trained to do. (IF I am wrong about this, the AAs will correct me. ) For example, AAs are not allowed to go to OB and put in epidurals by themselves. They are however, allowed to help the MDA put them in. Therefore they do not function at the same "standard" as a CRNA because the standards are different. Along a similar line, an MD and DO go to different schools, learn the same thing from different points of view yet they can do much the same thing when it comes to patient care, but the MDs think they are superior to the DOs.
((Review the issue of the CRNAs in years past. Most of the arguments that CRNAs are using against AAs today were used years ago by the MDAs against the CRNAs. A true case of what goes around, comes around. )
(I look at anesthesia as a destination, not a road. It does not matter which road a person takes to get to the destination of safe anesthesia practice. Many CRNAs want only the road they took to be the only road open.)
