FACTORS INFLUENCING NURSE ANESTHESIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: 1982-1987.
Contributors: University of Pittsburgh.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 155
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: The study identified factors that caused the closure of nurse anesthesia educational programs from 1982 to 1987 and showed the degree of influence each of the factors had on the continued operations of open programs. Data were collected through the use of a mailed questionnaire identifying variables pertinent to medical education vis-a-vis federal changes in health care reimbursement policies and issues of relevance to nurse anesthesia. The sample of the study was certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program directors of 81 open programs and 25 closed programs representing 84% of all open programs and 63% of the closed programs.

Closed programs identified financial, philosophical, and political issues as causing closure of programs. Ranked highest as factors influencing the decision to close were lack of support from hospital administration, lack of anesthesiologist support, reduced program funding, costs of the program to the institution, and the belief that there will be an ample supply of anesthesiologists in the future and less need for nurse anesthetists. Closed programs also indicated the presence of anesthesiology residency programs in their institutions as a major factor influencing the decision to close the program.

Open programs identified recruitment, political, and psychological problems in the operation of programs. Ranking highest as problems were recruitment of qualified students, the strained relationship between the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, career counselors discouraging nurses from entering nurse anesthesia, the excessive workload of the CRNA program director, and the public image of the CRNA.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-04, Section: B, page: 1089.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, 1987.

School code: 0178.