Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Earnings
Revenues	$ 786,870	$ 703,439	$ 650,330
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	243,094	211,809	195,960
Supply cost	104,007	91,730	79,029
Other operating expenses	171,759	148,187	134,272
Depreciation and amortization	26,175	24,928	22,353
Total operating expenses	545,035	476,654	431,614
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	613	0	0
Operating income	242,448	226,785	218,716
Interest expense	15,347	13,486	7,773
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	227,101	213,299	210,943
Income tax expense	35,841	33,791	34,347
Net earnings from continuing operations	191,260	179,508	176,596
Discontinued operations:
(Loss) earnings from operations of discontinued interests in surgery centers, net of income tax	397	3,720	5,456
Loss on disposal of discontinued interests in surgery centers, net of income tax	(1,543)	(2,732)	(702)
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations	(1,146)	988	4,754
Net earnings	190,114	180,496	181,350
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net earnings from continuing operations	140,061	128,364	125,855
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations	56	2,307	3,347
Total net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	140,117	130,671	129,202
Net (loss) earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	49,997	49,825	52,148
Amounts attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax	51,199	51,144	50,741
Discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to AmSurg Corp.	(1,202)	(1,319)	1,407
Net (loss) earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 49,997	$ 49,825	$ 52,148
Earnings per share-basic:
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 1.68	$ 1.69	$ 1.66
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ (0.04)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.05
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 1.64	$ 1.65	$ 1.71
Earnings per share-diluted:
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 1.64	$ 1.67	$ 1.64
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ (0.04)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.05
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 1.60	$ 1.62	$ 1.69
Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding:
Basic	30,452	30,255	30,576
Diluted	31,211	30,689	30,862