It is an unchallenged ethical principle that every patient must have full knowledge and understanding of the education, training, skills, and experience of the health care professionals providing their care. Currently, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and its state societies are conducting a campaign to misappropriate physician descriptors and medical titles, which confuses and misleads the public and patients.
AANA changed its name in August 2021 to the American Association of Nurse “Anesthesiology” and is pushing members to adopt the title “nurse anesthesiologist.”
An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor. A nurse anesthetist is not. This is not a new distinction. Since its first use in 1922, “anesthesiologist” has always referred to physicians trained in the medical science of anesthesiology.
The American Medical Association, the American Board of Anesthesiology, and the American Board of Medical Specialties affirm that anesthesiology is a medical specialty and professionals who refer to themselves as “anesthesiologists” must hold a license to practice medicine.
Unfortunately, this is not a new issue. For years, patients have been perplexed by the lack of information about the wide variety of individuals who work in health care. They are confused by the increasing ambiguity of health care provider advertising and titles. In fact, a survey found that 44 percent of patients find it difficult to identify who is a licensed physician (MD or DO) by reading the services they offer, their title and other licensing materials.
ASA respects and values our nurse anesthetist colleagues as important members of the Anesthesia Care Team; however, we believe AANA’s actions to undermine that team and mislead patients are unfortunate and misguided.
ASA is fighting back:
Learn more about our efforts and how members can take action on title misappropriation here.
ASA continues to work with federal lawmakers and regulatory bodies to ensure patients are not confused by medical title manipulation.
In 2020, Representative Larry Bucshon (R-IN-08) and Representative David Scott (D-GA-13) introduced H.R. 3928, the Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act, which would significantly advance patient empowerment and prudent expenditure of health care dollars by enhancing information flow to patients and addressing the lack of clarity in health care provider advertisements, marketing and self-identification. This bill has not yet been reintroduced in the 118th Congress.
Federal - H.R. 3928: Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2013
View FAQs on the Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act [PDF]
Federal - HR 2817: Protect Patient Access to Quality Health Professionals Act of 2013
To avoid unnecessary confusion by the public and especially patients and their families, ASA encourages nurse anesthetists to use only the titles that align with their nursing license, education and training, and national board certification such as “nurse anesthetist” or “certified registered nurse anesthetist”. ASA is supportive of the anesthesia and sedation services provided by nurse anesthetists working within the Anesthesia Care Team that are commensurate with their nursing education and training. Throughout ASA’s efforts to promote patient safety, ASA has always adhered to and strongly supported its policy within the ASA Statement on the Anesthesia Care Team as well as the American Medical Association’s policy that anesthesiology is the practice of medicine.
In March 2021, the New Hampshire Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the New Hampshire Board of Medicine to limit the use of the term “anesthesiologist” to individuals licensed to practice medicine. The Board of Medicine’s review included studies, surveys and licensure requirements highlighting similarities and differences between nurse anesthetists and physician anesthesiologists and the public’s understanding of that distinction – information that was likely the basis for their decision. This decision has been widely applauded throughout health care.
ASA strongly encourages state component societies to consider implementing effective truth in advertising laws to address potential similar issues in other states
Date of last update: March 13, 2023