Characteristics of nurse anesthetists working with and without anesthesiologists

All professionally active certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in four geographically representative states were surveyed by mail and telephone in 1981, and response rate of greater than or equal to 70% was obtained for each state. CRNAs who worked with anesthesiologists (Group I) were compared with those who worked in hospitals with no anesthesiologists (Group II). More than 75% of both groups were employed by hospitals, but Group II CRNAs (15.5% of respondents) were nearly five times as likely to practice on an independent, fee-for-service basis. Members of Group II worked predominantly in hospitals in small or rural communities and, compared with those in Group I, were more likely to be male and older, less likely to hold a baccalaureate degree, and less likely to use invasive monitoring techniques. Nearly 50% of Group II had no standing consulting relationship with an anesthesiologist. A consultation network supported by telecommunications deserves consideration as a means of providing CRNAs who work independently in small rural hospitals with a cost-effective team approach to anesthesia care.