Medical directorship of anesthesia services: are you a player… or are you just being played?

Hospital CEOs often propose that a particular anesthesiologist, often the chairperson of the anesthesia department, serve as the “medical director” of anesthesia services with the duty of coordinating, and assuring, anesthesia coverage in the absence of an exclusive contract. This article discusses the differences between a simple medical directorship and an exclusive contract and exposes the risks that must be considered by a prospective medical director before accepting the position.