A growing misconception has been circulating online suggesting that anesthesiologists are going to be obsolete due to technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) and other healthcare professionals like certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) encroaching on their spaces. In reality, this idea couldn't be further from the truth.
Despite these challenges, anesthesiologists remain indispensable for procedures that require a high level of precision, like the administration of epidural blood patches for treating spinal leaks. Additionally, as shortcomings in interventional radiology (IR) have demonstrated with IR taking the lead in recent years for spinal leak care, anesthesiology’s foundational knowledge of physics, specifically flow dynamics, is a critical element of correct care planning.
Many patients have been disabled by blood patch punctures by IR as well as received risky blood patches such as three needles inserted simultaneously from different angles to inject 2-5 mL of blood each as IR does not tend to understand that blood naturally flows around the spinal cord evenly if blood is injected carefully and slowly with a single needle using an interlaminar approach.
The data shows that anesthesiologists will not be replaced anytime soon. The demand for their skills continues to skyrocket as the Baby Boomer generation reaches old age. Surgical procedures performed in the U.S. are expected to rise exponentially in the coming decades due to its aging population.
Anesthesiologists are also ideally suited to help manage the ongoing crisis in spinal leak care, which is caused by many physicians relying on outdated diagnostic and treatment methods. The spinal leak care market is estimated to be around a trillion dollars, highlighting a lucrative opportunity for anesthesiologists looking to start private pain management clinics.
Anesthesiologists enjoy great career fulfillment performing procedures like epidural blood patches, but they also experience a lot of stress when working in the fast-paced environment of hospitals. This leads to some anesthesiologists feeling trapped in their professions, working in anxiety-inducing, chaotic environments dictated by systems that don't always prioritize patient care and leave physicians feeling underappreciated.
The spinal leak care market offers an environment for anesthesiologists to increase their job satisfaction, take control of their income, and establish themselves as experts in the field.
Are anesthesiologists being replaced?
While automation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make significant strides in healthcare, it cannot replace the hands-on expertise anesthesiologists have. Despite AI's increasing use in surgical settings, it's not a suitable substitute for the nuanced decision-making placed on the shoulders of anesthesiologists in these environments.
One example of the irreplaceable skills that anesthesiologists have involves performing epidural blood patches to treat debilitating headaches and multi-system disability caused by spinal leaks. Such procedures require a deep understanding of anatomy and a careful approach that AI can't replicate.
While the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare continues to grow for more straightforward medical procedures, anesthesiologists provide a level of care that can't be replaced with AI.
The value of anesthesiologists in niche markets
Despite their limited availability, there's a high demand for anesthesiologists in the spinal leak care field. Many anesthesiologists in hospital settings become frustrated with the low insurance reimbursement rates for epidural blood patches, which can be as low as $75 per procedure. Being poorly compensated for their expertise often discourages anesthesiologists from performing such procedures, leading to underserved patients.
Transitioning to a private practice allows anesthesiologists to set fairer prices for their expertise. Data shows patients are willing to pay as much as $750 per epidural blood patch at private pain management practices that provide competent long-term care.
The demand for spinal leak care is expected to skyrocket as a growing number of patients suffer from dural punctures caused by labor epidurals and other medical procedures. Additionally, awareness is growing as patients diagnosed with conditions ranging from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) to schizophrenia realize that a spontaneous spinal leak was at the root of their suffering.
Patients often being misdiagnosed or routed through radiology is another one of the reasons why the market for spinal leak care is growing, as physicians use outdated diagnostic methods like lumbar punctures, which can also lead to spinal leaks and thus often further disable patients.
Are anesthesiologists respected?
Despite anesthesiology’s critical role in patient care in hospital environments, many anesthesiologists report feeling undervalued. These settings have clear hierarchies, and other physicians typically diagnose patients before referring them to specialists like anesthesiologists for procedural interventions, such as epidural blood patches for PDPH via the emergency department.
Starting a private practice allows anesthesiologists to fully own the treatment process. A concierge care model allows anesthesiologists to provide treatments like epidural blood patches to patients with spinal leaks and follow up on their long-term care, building long-term relationships and earning their respect.
Running a private pain management clinic leads to anesthesiologists enjoying more career fulfillment without having to deal with the anxiety, lack of respect, and stress they often experience when working in hospitals.
Is anesthesiology going away?
Anesthesiology remains a significant medical field, and it's expected to weather the increasing use of automation better than most. The spinal leak care market is expected to keep growing drastically as research shows that post-dural puncture headaches are more common than once thought. Over 2 million women in the U.S. suffer from dural punctures from labor epidurals alone each year.
Are anesthesiologists needed in the future of medicine?
Anesthesiologists are uniquely positioned to transition into fields like pain management as the medical landscape shifts. Their specialized skills and ability to provide long-term care for spinal leaks put them in high demand, making them an indispensable part of the future of medicine.
With patients willing to pay out of pocket for effective, comprehensive care, a private pain management clinic serving 100 patients can generate around $400,000 annually.
Anesthesiologists are needed more now than ever today
Anesthesiologists are not going to be obsolete anytime soon. Their roles are simply evolving as the demand for spinal leak care rises. Anesthesiologists are uniquely placed to leave the anxiety-inducing stressful environments of hospital settings and move to profitable private practices that specialize in treating spinal leaks.
You get increased job satisfaction, control over your financial future, and grateful patients who will no longer be bedridden due to spinal leaks.
