A growing shortage of Anesthesiologists is reshaping the surgical landscape—impacting patient access, facility operations, and physician well-being.

Whether you’re a healthcare leader looking to staff a new outpatient site or a provider navigating work-life balance, understanding the root causes of this trend—and what to do about it—is critical.

Here’s what’s behind the shortage, how it affects care delivery, and how locum tenens can help bridge the gap for both sides of the OR table.

What’s Driving the Anesthesiologist Shortage?

A complex mix of systemic and workforce issues is converging to shrink anesthesia coverage at a time when demand is rising. Major contributors include:

1. An Aging Workforce

A significant share of today’s Anesthesiologists are nearing retirement—and many accelerated their exit during the COVID-19 pandemic. These departures aren’t being replaced quickly enough due to a bottleneck in training and residency slots.

2. Not Enough Training Slots

There’s a growing number of medical students who want to pursue anesthesiology, but not enough residency positions to accommodate them. This pinch point is limiting the flow of new providers into the specialty.

"Even if we doubled the residency positions today, we wouldn’t feel the impact for four years.”

— Amr Abouleish, MD, FASA, University of Texas Medical Branch

3. Burnout and Attrition

The high-pressure nature of anesthesiology, long hours, and mounting administrative burdens are pushing some physicians out of the workforce early. Flexible work options and supportive environments are no longer perks—they’re essential for retention.

4. Increased Demand for Anesthesia Services

Between an aging U.S. population, a rise in elective surgeries, and the expansion of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) settings, demand for anesthesia coverage is growing faster than the workforce can supply.

How the Shortage Impacts Healthcare Delivery

The ripple effects are being felt across facilities, specialties, and patient populations.

Delayed or Canceled Surgeries

Staffing shortages lead to OR slowdowns, rescheduled procedures, and delayed care—especially in hospitals or ASCs with lean teams.

Higher Costs

Facilities are increasingly turning to locum tenens Anesthesiologists or out-of-network groups to fill urgent gaps—often at higher rates than salaried staff. While necessary, this can strain operating margins, especially for high-volume centers.

Burnout Among Remaining Staff

The shortage creates a cycle: fewer Anesthesiologists cover more ground, leading to overwork and eventual burnout, which then contributes to further attrition.

Access Gaps in Rural and Underserved Areas

Remote facilities often have the hardest time attracting and retaining full-time anesthesia providers. When access is limited, patient outcomes suffer.

ASCs and Pain Clinics: Both Pressure Point and Opportunity

The boom in ambulatory surgery centers and interventional pain management clinics is reshaping how—and where—anesthesia is delivered. These settings often offer higher efficiency and lower overhead than hospitals, but they also demand consistent coverage.

Anesthesiologists increasingly prefer these environments for their predictability and pace, making them attractive sites for part-time or locum tenens work. The key for ASC operators? Flexible scheduling, positive team culture, and contracts that reflect the current labor market.

Addressing the Shortage: A Multi-Layered Response

Fixing the Anesthesiologist shortage requires both long-term investment and short-term agility.

Expand Training Programs

Policymakers and academic institutions must increase residency and fellowship positions. Private practice groups can also get involved in clinical training to help expand capacity.

Support Provider Well-Being

Flexible scheduling, part-time opportunities, and wellness initiatives are not just about morale—they’re retention strategies. Minimizing burnout means longer careers and better care.

Rethink Restrictive Contracts

Non-compete clauses can be a deterrent for Anesthesiologists considering new roles. Facilities that offer more mobility—and more choice—may gain a hiring edge.

Embrace Locum Tenens Staffing

Locum tenens offers healthcare systems a flexible way to maintain coverage without overextending core teams. It also gives Anesthesiologists the autonomy to work on their own terms—whether full-time, part-time, or seasonally.

How Caliber Supports Smarter Staffing

At Caliber, we connect hospitals, health systems, and ASCs with high-quality Anesthesiologists who are ready to step in—wherever and whenever care is needed. Our providers help:

• Fill gaps caused by retirements, leave, or burnout
• Cover seasonal or procedure-heavy periods
• Staff new sites or expand surgical programs
• Maintain continuity without overburdening your core team

And for Anesthesiologists looking for flexibility, reduced burnout, or a change of pace, locums can offer financial rewards and professional control without sacrificing clinical impact. The Anesthesiologist shortage isn’t going away—but it can be managed with proactive planning, innovative staffing models, and a deep respect for the providers who make surgery possible. Whether you’re navigating burnout or building your next coverage plan, Caliber is here to help you move forward.