An anaesthetist is a specialist medical practitioner who provides general anaesthesia, sedation, regional anaesthesia and pre-operative care and acute pain management for patients for surgical and other procedures including pain relief for women in labour.
In the 2010 calendar year there were 1,079 anaesthetists who primarily worked within NSW. This workforce had the following characteristics:Average age: 49.2 yearsFemales: 25.8% of the workforceAverage hours: anaesthetists worked an average 36 hours per week (of a standard 40 hour week)Over 50s: approximately 45% were aged 50 years and over and 20% of the workforce were older than 60 years
Source: AIHW (2012) 2010 Medical Workforce Profi le extracts for NSW (unpublished data)
Basic trainees (BT): 197 in 2012 with an average of 175 BTs in NSW between 2009 and 2012Advanced trainees (AT)*: 177 in 2012 with an average of 173 ATs in NSW between 2009 and 2012Females: female AT numbers in Australia have increased from 51 in 2006 to 88 in 2012 (50% of total)New fellows: an average of 53 per year in NSW from 2008-2011 (26% female)Medical Specialty College: Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists – ANZCA (www.anzca.edu.au)HETI Supported Training: Not part of Health Education and Training Institute Training Networks (www.heti.nsw.gov.au)
Source: Medical Training Review Panel (MTRP) *Basic Training must be completed before entering advanced training
1-2 Years: 3.9% of Anaesthetists intend to retire within 1-2 years3-5 Years: 10.3% of Anaesthetists intend to retire within the next 3-5 years6-9 Years: 4.8% of Anaesthetists intend to retire within the next 6-9 yearsAverage advanced trainees in NSW: 173Average new fellows in NSW: 53Intend to retire within next 10 years: 19%
Source: AIHW (2012) 2010 Medical Workforce Profi le extracts
