Nurse anesthetist-anesthesiologist relationships: past, present, and implications for the future.

It has been said that unless one has lived the black experience, one cannot fully understand or appreciate the inner rage or frustrations accompanying it. That feeling is analogous to the sociocultural aspects of nurse anesthetists. anesthesiologists relationships; as indeed, it is reflective to a large extent in the relationships between medicine and nursing. While much can be written about it, few can really relate to the history and accompanying socio-cultural developments of that relationship if they have not been a part of or are unable to transfer experiences of a similar nature to this situation. And, while inte. gration can be forced through governmental decree or pressure, the full benefits from cooperation can result only when mutual respect and recognition of the full contributions and potentialities of each group replace the attitudes of forced toleration and the indomitable will of the physician to control. This article traces the historical roots of the nurse anesthetist-anesthesiologist relationship, the current status of the relationship, and cites the implications it has for the future regarding the delivery of anesthesia services to this nation. I have made an honest attempt to present the facts in an unbiased manner, while recognizing that any such attempt by one intimately involved in this relationship is subject to influences, conscious or unconscious, which are subject to suspicion.