Anesthesiology Doctor

Nature of the work

An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance or restoration of a stable condition during and immediately following an operation or an obstetric or diagnostic procedure. The anesthesiologist assesses the risk of the patient undergoing surgery and optimizes the patient's condition prior to, during, and after surgery. In addition to these management responsibilities, the anesthesiologist provides medical management and consultation in pain management and critical care medicine. Anesthesiologists diagnose and treat acute, long-standing, and cancer pain problems; critical illnesses; and severe injuries. They also direct resuscitation in the care of patients with cardiac or respiratory emergencies, including the need for artificial ventilation, as well as supervise post anesthesia recovery.¹

Anesthesiologists can receive training in the following subspecialties:

critical care medicine, which involves diagnosing, treating, and supporting critically ill and injured patients, particularly trauma victims and patients with multiple organ dysfunction.

hospice and palliative medicine, which involves preventing and relieving the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses.

pain medicine, which involves diagnosing and treating of the entire range of painful disorders. These anesthesiologists care for patients experiencing problems with acute, chronic, and cancer pain.

Training/residency information

The residency training program for anesthesiology is four years. Fellowships in an anesthesia subspecialty and in education or research require an additional year of training.

References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 2010 Physician Compensation Survey [special feature]. Modern Healthcare . July 19, 2010: 20–26.