The anesthesia workforce shortage has reached pressing levels. Anesthesia providers are in high demand, particularly in rural areas, where the shortage leads to increased wait times for patients and increased burnout for providers left to cover the gap. Locum tenens creates opportunities for anesthesia providers to provide essential care in underserved areas—while finding more autonomy and flexibility in their practice.

What is driving the anesthesia care shortage?

By 2033, the anesthesia workforce is projected to face a shortage of 12,500 providers, driven by rising demand for surgical care and a wave of retirements that’s shrinking the supply. These shortages are increasingly leaving patients without access to essential care, especially in rural communities. 

Demand for surgical services is predicted to rise by 2-3% per year over the next decade, as the population of people 65 and over—who need more surgical procedures, and thus require more anesthesia services—is projected to increase by up to 55% over the next decade. 

These factors are driving shortages that put additional pressure on an already overstressed workforce. The results of that pressure can ripple throughout entire hospitals.

How is the anesthesia workforce shortage affecting hospital providers?

The anesthesia workforce shortage is leading to larger workloads, which increases burnout for existing anesthesia providers. These unsustainable caseloads drive early retirements and exits, shrinking teams even more, and disrupting continuity of care. This is especially true when it comes to rural hospitals, where it can be harder to attract permanent providers.

Left unchecked, these pressures can add up month after month, making coverage gaps a pattern instead of a rarity. Burnout can lead to a domino effect: if a provider retires early due to burnout, the rest of the team is left to cover the gap, which can lead to more burnout and more early exits.

Locum tenens can give anesthesia providers more autonomy and flexibility in their practice, allowing them to continue to practice without sacrificing their well-being.

What are the benefits of locum tenens to anesthesia providers? 

Locum tenens lets anesthesia providers choose assignments based on their schedule preferences and professional goals. With locums, anesthesiologists can choose the assignments that work for them, offering more flexibility and control over their schedule. Because locum assignments tend to pay higher rates than traditional full-time roles, many anesthesiologists find a much better work-life balance through locums, without sacrificing their income.

Locums also offers more flexibility and autonomy for advanced practice providers. Demand for locums CRNAs is rising fast, growing 9.8% annually. As more states expand their scope of practice to allow CRNAs to practice independently, locum assignments in these states can offer more autonomy to CRNAs looking to grow their practice. 

Similarly, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are finding more work-life balance and practice opportunities with locums. As more states and jurisdictions recognize  the contributions CAAs bring to an Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model, locum tenens allows CAAs to find assignments that align with their professional and personal goals.

Locums also enables anesthesia providers to use their skills to benefit communities that desperately need them, which is why many providers report feeling more fulfilled in their locums work. Locums anesthesia providers help keep operating rooms open, shorten wait times, and deliver consistent care in places that need it most—all without sacrificing their flexibility and well-being.

As demand for anesthesia providers grows, locum tenens can help providers find more autonomy and flexibility in their practice, while making an enormous impact on communities that need them most.

If you’re ready to make a change, we’re ready to help. Our specialty-specific locums consultants have the skills and expertise to help you find the right fit for you!