Shareholder's Equity (Schedule Of Reconciliation Of Numerator And Denominators Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Shareholders' Equity
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (basic), Earnings (Numerator)	$ 51,199	$ 51,144	$ 50,741
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (basic), Shares (Denominator)	30,452	30,255	30,576
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (diluted), Shares (Denominator)	31,211	30,689	30,862
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (basic), Per Share Amount	$ 1.68	$ 1.69	$ 1.66
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (diluted), Per Share Amount	$ 1.64	$ 1.67	$ 1.64
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (Diluted), Per Share Amount	$ 1.60	$ 1.62	$ 1.69
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (basic), Earnings (Numerator)	$ 49,997	$ 49,825	$ 52,148
Effect Of Dilutive Securities Options And Non-Vested Shares Continuing Operations	759	434	286
Effect Of Dilutive Securities Options And Non-Vested Shares Parent	759	434	286
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. per common share (basic), Per Share Amount	$ 1.64	$ 1.65	$ 1.71