The evolution and formalization of anesthesia assistant roles across Canada

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• The anesthesia assistant (AA) profession in Canada has evolved over five decades, with formalization occurring 15 years ago in most provinces.
• Understanding the current landscape of AA practice is crucial for optimizing their role in Canadian healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the historical evolution of the AA profession in Canada.
• To summarize the current practice of AAs across Canadian institutions.

Main Methods:

• A purposeful sampling of chairs or delegates from the Association of Canadian University Departments of Anesthesia (ACUDA) was conducted.
• Data collected included AA history, recruitment, training, credentialing, funding, pay, retention, and metrics.

Main Results:

• Data from 19 institutions across 8 provinces revealed diverse AA roles, varying in technical, clinical, and educational responsibilities.
• AAs are established in supporting anesthesia care, equipment maintenance, airway management, resuscitation, and providing intraoperative relief.
• Current AA duties are increasingly institution-specific and less dependent on direct anesthesiologist supervision.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the value of AAs within the anesthesia care team (ACT), emphasizing their contribution to patient safety and healthcare system efficiency.
• Recommendations include developing national metrics, enhancing data-sharing, implementing funding strategies for training, ensuring competitive salaries, and establishing long-term recruitment and retention plans.
• Recognizing AAs' contributions beyond direct patient care is essential for acknowledging their significant impact on patient safety and clinical efficiency.