ince 2003, the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) has been coordinating annual retreats that bring together the expertise of ASA leadership, various subspecialties and outside experts to brainstorm and discuss issues critical to the future of anesthesiology.

Retreat I focused on scholarship requirements with an emphasis on fellowship programs. Forming the Academy of Mentors for Anesthesiology was one outcome resulting from this discussion. Retreat II focused on engaging medical students and residents in careers in research and education in anesthesiology. Subsequently in 2005, the FAER Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship Program was introduced. Retreat III explored mechanisms by which the specialty could expand the number of anesthesia-related National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. For the past two years, under the direction of Jeanine P. Wiener-Kronish, M.D., FAER has sponsored luncheons with the purpose of increasing the number of NIH research training grants in anesthesiology. Finally, Retreat IV discussed challenges facing the specialty with a focus on how to strengthen and benefit all programs. At that point, one solution to the multifaceted issues facing the diverse programs was thought to be the development of a Centers for Excellence in Anesthesiology.

Retreat V was held on April 14, 2007, in Washington, D.C. The purpose for the retreat was to discuss in greater detail the concept of the Centers for Excellence in Anesthesiology. After lengthy debate, participants agreed that identifying and prioritizing issues with high research and public health impact in the specialty would be more equitable and productive for all constituencies than focusing on “Centers of Excellence.” These issues would have the potential to generate public and specialty enthusiasm as well as spark the interest of medical students and residents to consider research opportunities within the specialty.

Participants rank-ordered a number of areas. Those thought to be most important were:

• The broad field of genomics, ranging from perioperative genomic diagnostic testing to pharmacogenomics and its application to patient-targeted therapeutics.

• Pain mechanisms and treatment, with special emphasis on neuropathic pain subsequent to injuries sustained by our military forces.

• Neuroscience, with specific attention given to the potential impact of anesthetics, other perioperative medications and patient management on neurodevelopment in infants and children and neurodegeneration in the elderly.

• The broad field of geriatric perioperative care.

Other issues considered included:

• Biologic outcomes of perioperative care, with emphasis on issues such as immune modulation and inflammatory responses.

• Clinical outcomes of perioperative care, with emphasis on issues such as patient safety and error reduction.

• Several specific topics such as postoperative cognitive dysfunction and topics related to infection/sepsis (e.g., catheter-related infection).

FAER will enter into strategic planning to develop ways to increase the ability of our Foundation to fund more research so critical to the lifeblood of the specialty. Both bench and translational/clinical research are needed to answer the critical issues of anesthesiology and its subspecialty partners. Genomics, molecular biology, patient care outcomes and affordable high-quality care will likely occupy much of the research agenda in the coming years.

These areas of critical research needs will require more investment. FAER is committed to exploring what is required to increase the funding available for more anesthesiology research. With NIH monies providing little for research in our specialty, it is critical that all of us recognize the need for increased funding and do more to ensure that the growing demand for research dollars is met.

D. David Glass, M.D., chair of the FAER Board, Mark A. Warner, M.D., member of the FAER Board, and Mary Schrandt of the FAER staff contributed to this report.

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