Anesthesia as a profession and

Discourse
Korene Dunn
Prof. Ogbara English 1A
Discourse Community
February 21st,2015

INTRODUCTION

A discourse community is a group of individuals who partake in similar interests such as sharing
particular lexis , knowledge foundation,critical assumptions,thinking methods and share the same
goals and hobbies,most importantly they rely on communication to achieve their goals. We all
belong to some part of a discourse community or sub-discourse community(unc.edu) in other
words;secondary discourse and one might not have found their passion for it yet.A primary
discourse community is The discourse in which we first use to make sense in the world and
interact with others, and secondary discourse,those discourse we acquire in various non-homebased social institution; such as school,churches, and other social communitys(james paul gee).

Discourse communities are a part of everyday life and found globally ,ranging from
school,fashion,sports,families etc.The medical field discourse community,take for
example,members with expertise and long-term experience in the field will have common
reflections on subjects or topics ,language structure, and thinking habits that are shared within
the discourse rather than with people of no knowledge or relative experience in the field.As
stated earlier, sub-discourse communities are jobs within the broader
topic(medicine:nurse,surgeon,doctors assistant so on..)They all deal with similar things due to
being apart of the medical discourse community;however,the sub-discourses share their own
creative abilities,experiences and specific lexis than people who arent in that specific subdiscourse.

As Suggested by John Swales, a well-known professor of linguistics and psychologist, there are
six characteristics that have to be formed to be viewed as an authentic discourse:they have a
broadly agreed set of common public goals,mechanisms of intercommunication among its
members, it uses participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information or feedback, it

utilizes and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance or its aims,
has acquired some specific lexis, and has a threshold level of members with suitable degree of
relevant content and discoursal expertise(Swales, 1990). The establishment of these six
characteristics makes up a discourse community also the responsibility of the members within
the discourse.

Every year,seven to nine million people undergo surgery,ranging from plastic

surgery,transplant,broken bone or simply wisdom teeth but nearly a hundred thousand die each
year from surgery, according to Marshall Allan (Prorepublica september 20th,2013). This states
the significance of the anesthetist discourse community as well as that of surgeons.Due to the
population always increasing, the importance of medical treatment and health will remain a
mandatory need in life.Anesthesiologists are physicians whose responsibilities revolve around
the focus on surgical patients and pain relief. Also known as administer anesthetics(which are
medicines to prevent patients from feeling pain and sensations) closely monitor patients' vital
signs during surgery and adjust anesthetics productively :monitor patients through the first
recovery stages after an operation; and administer appropriate medications during recovery. The
anesthesia community has a major influence of interacting with new people everyday and
maintaining the idea of meeting their objective:taking care of patients in a safe and timely
manner,compassionate patient care and keep the patient pain-free yet unaware of what is
happening during surgery.

Methods
I was inspired to take on this career path based on my fascination with the human body,my
passion for actually helping others and receiving joy from it but also illness in my family which

made me curious.Becoming curious at a young age,In High school I took courses which gave me
the abilities for the discourse, background and history on the medical field and study(AP
Biology,Ap psych,Ap english) .A major influence being my Aunt,whom I interviewed as my
professional, introduced me to this career path and she shared similar interests at my age later
pursuing her passion of mental health:as a mental health therapist and behaviorist psychologist.
Entering college anesthesia remained my passion,receiving advice from professionals in the
field,continuing research from books to documentaries and interviewing a professional when i
received surgery on my ear,just to further my knowledge and receive a visual first hand for
myself.courses in college keeping me on track for my discourse community as well, have kept
me self-initiated and focused on my goal such as intro to psychology by providing another year
of psych and keeping my memory and knowledge refreshed to background and history of the
field.English 1A by incorporating in-depth research for my discourse community and gaining a
first hand experience,knowing the challenges also responsibilities and what really happens;from
professional interviews,articles enlightening students on discourses and terminology.lastly,
college one and counseling courses by preparing students for college and their major but also
guidance to what well go through and should be expecting on the journey to our discourse.

I chose to analyze the discourse community, involving interviews of professionals and a student
getting into the field,as the journey theyve encountered along the way.Interviewing the
professional gives me the personal experiences and information obtained through the
discourse,questions asked are pertained to particular answers youre hoping to gain fit for your
research.With a student,another aspect provides to be beneficial such as their struggles,helpful
advice along the journey,how,courses and so on.Qualitative research is key,achieving this with
successful interviews,in other words you obtained the first hand experiences and fact based

observations. Catherine Dunn is a mental health behaviorist and behavioral therapist,whom I

interviewed over the phone.She has over seventeen years of experience in the field of
psychology,mental health and clinical care,my answers being recorded from my ipad;later being
written down into notes and was on her break.The questions being asked were focused on the
responsibilities of the job,challenges,the journey and lastly her inspiration through the process of
being where she is now.An important question I saw as vital to me was when I asked The
challenges you face in the field?also describe one might face in the workplace ,This having the
most importance to me because her answer was; there isnt enough freedom and fun for a
mentally disabled person,the plan they put together(called halo plan) for the disabled is very
limited in sculpt and they dont get the respect of actually being viewed as a person.This showing
importance because everyday in the workplace is different than the last and the type of character
you must have to be fit into this field especially mind-set being around these people who are just
as normal as the next person.

Results
Discourses vary significantly whether it be professional,casual,personal or other but all
discourses share the similarity of communication,values and
concepts(johns,1997).Communication is essential to be apart of the discourse community as
previously stated,by gaining more knowledge for the discourse and outlook of the
members.There are various ways of communication:first being specific lexis of the discourse
community;referring to the terms they may use while operating or performing their job such as
the tools or machines being used(catheter-rubber/plastic tube inserted into the veins/arteries for
meds,halothane-inhaled anesthetic,induction-leaving the state of consciousness to unconscious)
if one isnt aware of this terminology in a dyer situation then that could be the difference

between life and death or just simply knowing in general.secondly ,would be basic
communication,in other words;meetings which they have normally weekly,a website may be
relevant,email,facebook(other social media with groups of their community) and phones (if you
work in a hospital usually youll be on call never knowing the situation of a patient).lastly being,
communication by organization,several organizations provide another mindset,in addition to the
discourse community theyre already in.continuing to practice standards and guidelines (patient
safety),work together,continue gaining knowledge and give them nostalgia of why they become
apart of their discourse community in the first place but also the importance of the job
itself.organizations such as ASA,AANA,APRNA etc.By having communication within an
oragnization is a discourse community within itself. The most important characteristic of the six
according to Swales is communication because without it, there wouldnt be a discourse
community and wouldnt work in the medical field mainly with emergency situations,80% of
communication being in person.

Continuing to work as hard as you did to get where you are, is ideal for expertise as well as
success.there are a variety of ways of keeping this mind-set in practice:feedback.Due to
technology advancing tremendously, (As mentioned earlier) many members of the medical field
are apart of facebook or other social networks which have groups for their discourse community
that could keep them posted to ideas,events,tools or procedures coming up.subscribing to a
website you could receive emails that keep you up to date,Television as well:
news,shows,specific channels or documentaries could even give you relevant discussion amongst
the community and lastly the newspaper,although not too many in this generation take the time
to read the newspaper,its still a useful asset.

Genre and a common knowledge base are important within the discourse community. genres
are types of texts that are recognizable to the reader and writers, and that meet the needs of
rhetorical situation in which they function(Swales) For example:anesthesia,operating
rooms,weighing scales, X-rays,medical clipboards/charts etc. the situation may be the
receptionist at the front desk using computers that store a patients information within the whole
database of that specific hospital,another example being anesthesiologist/surgeons on
call.technology being beneficial to many discourse communities.these genres and lexis are
portrayed as the daily operations and life in this field,they always compliment one another
because they are meshed together.

Conclusion
The path to become a anesthesiologist is a very challenging road to put your life and time
into,however;a promising career and worth the preparation.To successfully engage into this
discourse community,one must have the requirements to do so,not only education but emotional
and physical as well.The mindset to prepare for a medical profession:if you plan on taking on the
medical field, especially a career in anesthesiology, you need to start off by planning before
hand. You need to pursue your academic courses with the requisites of medical school, or
anesthesiology in mind.Easiest part would be choosing what field you want begin with , but
pursuing it till the end is a challenge and there are many who leave it better opportunities they
see fit midway through the journey.you must be prepared to do it till you emerge successful.
Ability to Work hard to a tremendous work load,Develop a connection with patients,given that
you have to work closely with patients, you must have an amicable attitude. Being polite and
understanding your patients needs come first, since their well being during the surgery or
treatment depends on your care to a significant degree.Only if you have all of these emotional

requirements you can actually be a successful anesthesiologist.The educational requirements are

meeting your undergraduate courses,pass the MCAT(medical College Assessment Test),complete
medical school,anesthesiologist residency which comes after and is two years,get your license to
practice anesthesia legally and find your job then you're official.

In conclusion ,I've crossed all points made my Swales for the six requirements to be an actual
discourse community.The anesthesia field is a great example of a discourse
community,communication being the most important in this field;most discourses for that
matter.The anesthesia discourse community being very important in society based on health
being a necessity in and lastly If the discourse meets all the requirement and one has all the
attributes:emotional and education one will be successful.