2005 Volume 25 Issue 5 Pages 507-517
In 2002, the estimated number of anesthesia performed in Japan was more than 3,120,000 of which more than 1,880,000 were performed under general anesthesia. However, there were only 6,087 anesthesiologists engaged in anesthesia in the operating room. It was difficult for anesthesiologists to perform anesthesia in private practice with their main work being anesthesia in the operating room under the medical insurance system. In recent years, the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has recognized that visiting anesthesia by anesthesiologists in private practice is treatment covered by the medical insurance. However, in some self-governing bodies, the door to the establishment of anesthesiological clinics with visiting anesthesia as the main work is shut, and there are only a few visiting anesthesiologists in private practice. There are various working forms of anesthesiologists at present. Among these forms, only private practice of anesthesia as an insurance medical facility allows anesthesiologists to work on equal terms with hospitals, not on terms of employment. Private practice of anesthesia with visiting anesthesia as the main work does not immediately solve the manpower shortage problem. However, from a long-term standpoint, private practice will be a choice when anesthesiologists make plans for their future and there is an increase in people who aspire to be anesthesiologists, slowing the withdrawal from anesthesia work in the operating room.
