In this continuing series of articles on the importance of large group practices and their members on ASA activities and advocacy, this issue will emphasize some of the synergies between academic departments and other large group practices.
Academic anesthesiology departments are large anesthesia group practices. Describe current issues that are important to academic anesthesiology departments.
Zachary B. Deutch, M.D., University of Florida Health-Jacksonville
Most academic anesthesiology practices are employed models in which practitioners work directly for a medical center, school of medicine or university. Academic departments not only train the next generation of anesthesia providers but also have many of the same business challenges facing other large group practices – contracting, billing and collections, and staffing challenges over and above the other educational, research and community service obligations. In addition, as the need for faculty increases with growing clinical programs, academic departments often compete with the private sector for recruitment...