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GENERAL OVERVIEW
To start with, you should know that an anesthesiologist is a
physician--a medical specialist who makes all the medical decisions
about anesthetizing a patient for surgery and who is responsible
for the safety and well-being of the patient. This includes maintaining
the patient in a state of controlled unconsciousness (while under
general anesthesia), providing pain relief and monitoring the
patient's critical life functions (breathing, heart rate and heart
rhythm, blood pressure, body temperature) as they are affected
throughout surgical, obstetrical or other medical procedures.
Remember, though, that the anesthesiologist's role also extends
beyond the operating room. First, the anesthesiologist is responsible
for the preoperative ("before surgery") assessment of
the patient, making medical judgments about what the best anesthesia
plan is for that individual based on his or her current health,
what medications they are taking, the type of surgery, etc. The
anesthesiologist also is responsible for the well-being of the
patient postoperatively ("after surgery") while the
person emerges from the effects of the anesthesia. In addition,
anesthesiologists use their expertise in intensive care units
to help stabilize critically ill or critically injured patients.
And they are often involved in the management of acute postoperative
pain, chronic pain and cancer pain; in cardiac and respiratory
resuscitation; in blood transfusion therapies; and in respiratory
therapy.
The medical
specialty of anesthesiology
involves many aspects of patient care and includes
many challenges,
diversity, flexibility and rewards. We asked one
anesthesiologist mid-career, "What has been most rewarding
about your job as an anesthesiologist? He said, "Through
the work I do in helping people survive trauma like a car accident
or get well from an illness like cancer or a heart attack, I know
that I have personally saved 700 people who otherwise would have
died. That is incredibly rewarding!"
In answer to the question, "How does someone become an anesthesiologist?"--
here's a summary: In high school, students can prepare for a medical
career by concentrating on the advanced science classes such as
biology and chemistry. Get involved in many activities and stretch
yourself educationally. Consider extra training on computers and
in learning a second language, possibly Spanish. Consider volunteering
at a hospital where you will be able to see firsthand what it's
like to work around health care professionals, helping many people
who need their help.
We are also asked from time to time whether there is currently
a demand for anesthesiologists and how much an anesthesiologist
earns. First, as long as there is a demand for surgery and relief
from pain, there will continue to be a need for qualified anesthesiologists
because of their unique qualifications and medical expertise.
The number of surgeries has been on the rise in recent years,
totaling more than 40 million a year, and is almost evenly split
between surgeries in hospitals and in outpatient facilities.
Regarding how much anesthesiologists earn, our organization does
not have that information. We ask our members many things--about
how they practice, where they practice, what kind of practice
they have--but we don't ask them how much they make.
Some people also want to know what are the fears, stress factors
and emotional involvement connected with being an anesthesiologist.
Anesthesiologists need to rise early in the morning. During internship
and residency, trainees work 12-hour, 12-hour and 24-hour days
in cycles. Real-world anesthesiologists probably average 10-12
hour days with night call every four to five days. To be a fine
anesthesiologist, one has to be able to remain vigilant for many
hours. Yes, it can be stressful, but many jobs have the stress
without the rewards. Being a doctor has many rewards. Anesthesiologists
have a short-term but intense relationship with their patients:
calming them before surgery, getting them through surgery safely
and without pain, and making sure they have recovered enough to
go home or be admitted to a regular hospital floor. Their "thank-yous"
and smiles make it all worthwhile.
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