Research Assessment #2

Date: October 9, 2017

Subject: Anesthesiology
MLA Citations: What Is an Anesthesiologist? Sokanu,
www.sokanu.com/careers/anesthesiologist/\.
Analysis:
Anesthesiologists ensure that a person is medically fit for surgery and will put the person
to sleep. Most people are unfamiliar with the fact that anesthesiologists stay with the surgeons
during surgery. They check vitals such as blood pressure, level of consciousness, temperature,
heart rhythm, and levels of oxygen. For example, the anesthesiologist will monitor breath by
measuring the volume of breath exhaled and the amount of carbon dioxide in each breath.
Furthermore, during a surgery the anesthesiologist will also adjust the patient according to the
surgery being done. If the patient needs to be moved to get into a certain position during the
surgery, then the anesthesiologist will move them.
Anesthesiologists deal with a job of high stress and high attentiveness. Being an
anesthesiologist takes a lot of commitment, as it takes over 10 years in school to become a
certified anesthesiologist. However, the job comes with some perks such as high pay, job
security, and a variety of patients. It will take a hearty effort to become an anesthesiologist, but it
is possible by making oneself stand out. To do so, I should look to not only get good grades, but
to also involve myself in many events. Getting into medical school will be very difficult, so it is
important I maintain a high GPA in college and that I earn a high MCAT score. This will even be
useful for getting residency, as higher test scores show that I am capable of handling the amount
of work.
Overall, I felt like anesthesiology was something I was interested in because no one
really knows what they contribute to the medical field. Many people overlook them, but they do
a lot of hard work to prepare for surgery. I feel like it would be a difficult job to do, but I like
complexity. I love being under stress and working. Thus, I feel like anesthesiology would be a
great fit for me in the future. I loved how anesthesiologist do not just deal with putting people to
sleep before surgery, rather, they help in pain management and in checking vitals during surgery.
This is an important part of surgery that is overlooked because without proper vitals, the surgery
must come to a stop. Lastly, anesthesiology is of my interest because of the job security and the
projected growth of anesthesiologists.
 Article:
What is an Anesthesiologist?
An Anesthesiologist is a specialized type of Doctor. Also known as: Obstetrical Anesthesiologist, Attending Anesthesiologist.

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who keeps a patient comfortable, safe and pain-free during surgery by administering local or general anesthetic. Once the patient enters the
operating room, an anesthesiologist will be by their side throughout the surgery, making sure they are stable right through to the post-anesthesia care unit. Anesthesiology is a prestigious and
lucrative field of medicine, but requires a great deal of education and expertise.
How to Become an Anesthesiologist
What does an Anesthesiologist do?
An anesthesiologist will meet with the patient prior to surgery to make sure they are suitably prepared and medically fit to endure the proposed surgery as well as the related anesthetic. Once they
have done this, just before the surgery, the anesthesiologist will administer either a general or local anesthetic to the patient.
During the surgery, the anesthesiologist will monitor the patient's blood pressure, heart rhythm, temperature, level of consciousness, and amount of oxygen in the blood. For a general anesthetic,
the anesthesiologist will monitor each breath. This is done by measuring the volume of breath exhaled and the amount of carbon dioxide in each breath. They may also measure the amount of
blood the heart is pumping and blood pressure inside the lung vessels.
After putting the patient to sleep, the anesthesiologist will adjust the patient's position if necessary, depending on the surgery being performed. For example, a back operation will require a
different position than a stomach operation. Also checking to make sure a patient doesn't have his legs crossed is important, as the patient can potentially sustain nerve damage if the legs are
crossed for the duration of a long operation.
Some of the anesthesiologist's duties during surgery include:
Continuous monitoring of vital signs
Monitoring of the level and depth of anesthesia
Making adjustments if necessary
Recognition of any potentially life threatening emergencies and timely intervention
Ensuring the safety of the patient and taking appropriate steps to avoid any injuries to the patients body during the anesthetic period
Obstetrical anesthesiologists also help with pain management during childbirth. They discuss pain management options with the mother, and administer an epidural anesthetic if the mother
decides that she wants it. They watch over the mother and if the labor is long, or the epidural wears off, they provide another dose.
They may also work with patients who need pain management for other issues outside of the operating room and delivery room. They provide after care for patients who have had surgery and
still require some sort of pain management. They may also work in emergency rooms, and help with patients who need immediate pain relief or sedation
What is the workplace of an Anesthesiologist like?
Anesthesiologists often work in high stress situations, where a great deal of concentration and alertness is necessary, such as in the operating room. They also work in many outpatient facilities,
and they will often have to work with people who are recovering from an operation, or those who need pain management treatment.
What does it take to become an Anesthesiologist?
The requirements to enter the field of anesthesiology are very specific; only those with certain interests, aptitudes, and personality traits should consider this specialty. Anesthesiology draws
medical students who excel in the sciences and pharmacology and who are results-driven individuals. Anesthesiologists must be extremely observant and able to think and act very fast as their
patients' lives are hanging in the balance; they must be detail-orientated and be well-prepared should something go wrong.
Anesthesiologists assess patients when they enter the hospital and develop an anesthetic plan. They take care of patients in the operating room as well as during the postoperative period.
Individuals considering anesthesiology need to have an aptitude and a passion to care for patients with life-threatening conditions.
What is the difference between an Anesthesiologist and a Nurse Anesthetist?
An nurse anesthetist is a nurse with extra training (typically two years) in the field of anesthesiology, and has the ability to administer anesthesia. In most surgery centres and hospital settings,
they work under the supervision of a board certified anesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist is a physician who has gone through medical school, internship, and then an accredited residency
training program in a US hospital.

Also relevant for Nurse Anesthetist

What are the pros and cons of being an Anesthesiologist?
See if anesthesiology can be the right career fit for you. The following are some of the pros and cons in the field of anesthesiology:
Pros:
- high salary
- job security
- wide variety of patient types
- autonomy
- professional respect
- working with your hands
- instant gratification and feedback in the operating room
- good working schedule
Cons:
- over ten years of schooling
- getting residency positions can be very competitive
- lack of follow-up and continuity in patient care
- requires high level of responsibility and potential stress
What is some good advice for aspiring Anesthesiologists?
It is good to concentrate on science classes such as biology, chemistry or other advanced sciences in high school. After high school, the student who wants to practice anesthesiology should
continue to concentrate on advanced science courses in university such as: anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry, physics and advanced math classes such as calculus.
All medical students applying in anesthesiology must do well on the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination). If your scores are not competitive, you will have an uphill battle to
get a residency slot at a top program.
At the very least, individuals should do an anesthesiology rotation at their local institution. Medical students who stand out pay attention to what is going on, anticipate events, know how to be
helpful, and get involved with the entire patient care experience. It is not recommended to stand around and give off a bored presence.
Anesthesiology departments receive hundreds of applications each year. Some things that may set you apart from the pack: excellent grades and USMLE scores, a strong deans letter and other
recommendations, personal experiences, prior careers, other degrees, thought-provoking research, a list of activities, and a unique personal statement.
What are the subspecialties of Anesthesiology?
Anesthesiology, like all medical disciplines, is sufficiently complex that it is divided into several subspecialties. While initially trained in anesthesiology as a whole, as they move through
residency training, anesthesiologists choose to specialize in a particular area.
Cardiothoracic Anesthesia - These anesthesiologists employ their advanced training dedicated to cardiac and thoracic anesthesia to make the perioperative period both safe and comfortable for
patients
Critical Care Anesthesia - These anesthesiologists see a wide variety of trauma, general surgical, thoracic, neurosurgical, vascular and cardiac surgical patients
Neurosurgical Anesthesia - These anesthesiologists provide anesthesia in the operating room, neuroradiology, and in MRI and CT suites
Obstetric Anesthesia - Obstetric anesthesiologists serve in labor and delivery, ready to assist in the management of pain of labor and delivery, to administer anesthesia for cesarean section, and
to manage emergencies that may arise
Orthopedic Anesthesia - These anesthesiologists administer safe anesthesia for a broad array of routine and challenging cases, such as major spine surgery, joint replacement, reconstructive
orthopaedic surgery, extremity surgery and surgery for all orthopaedic subspecialty areas
Pain Medicine - Physicians from various specialties (neurology, anesthesiology, physical medicine, psychiatry, spine and neurosurgery, psychology, rheumatology) combine their expertise to
manage the treatment of patients unable to a have a normal life because of pain
Pediatric Anesthesia - Children are not small adults and no child is exactly the same. Pediatric anesthesiologists focus on providing an individualized experience for each child, based on his or
her needs. After surgery, pediatric anesthesiologists are involved in prescribing pain medication or recommending pain-relieving techniques for each child that is best for providing comfort and
rest for optimal recuperation. Pediatric anesthesiologists are also involved in caring for children during radiological imaging or scanning procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, and other non-
surgical treatments that require a cooperative and motionless patient.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine - These anesthesiologists specialize in providing care and preventing and relieving the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illnesses. They work
with an interdisciplinary hospice or palliative care team to maximize quality of life while addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patient and family.
How long does it take to become an Anesthesiologist?
It takes approximately 12 to 13 years to become an anesthesiologist. A bachelor's degree takes four years, medical school takes four years, and then another four years are spent as a resident.
Some doctors follow their residency with a fellowship (another year) to further train in anesthesiology specialties like pain management, pediatric anesthesiology, or obstetric anesthesiology.