<p>
In 1995, an ASA commissioned study concluded that there was and would be a substantial surplus of anesthesiologists. Practices delayed hiring and individual physicians postponed retirement in preparation for the anticipated slowdown. Residents finishing training in 1995 were greeted by a March 17 Wall Street Journal article entitled "Once hot specialty, anesthesiology cools as insurers scale back." Many residents put off entry into the job market by taking a fellowship, some accepted marginal positions, and a few took salaried CRNA-type positions.
[quote]
The dilemma posed by declining opportunities for anesthesiologists and the implications for current graduating residents have generated both concern and discussion. This discussion has effectively operated to discourage recruitment at the resident level and probably explains the trends reported here. Reduction was regarded as desirable in the light of the reduced need for our services anticipated in the Abt Associates Inc. report, "Estimation of Work Force Requirements in Anesthesiology." The magnitude of this reduction, however, and its implications demand careful evaluation.
[/quote]
<a href="http://www.asahq.org/Newsletters/1996/05_96/article1.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.asahq.org/Newsletters/1996/05_96/article1.htm</a></p>
<p>Most strikingly, more than 50% of available anesthesia training positions went unfilled via the 1996 match process as US students chose other specialties. (Positions went unfilled or were filled by FMG's). See the dramatic graph at
<a href="http://www.asahq.org/Newsletters/2005/05-05/grogono05_05.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.asahq.org/Newsletters/2005/05-05/grogono05_05.html</a></p>
<p>The anticipated surplus never materialized and AMG residents finishing training in 1998 to 2004 found themselves in great demand. Current demand for AMG board certified anesthesiologists remains high.</p>