What is Anesthesiology? For those of you in medical school who have not yet made a final career choice and have been "surfing the net" for information, it is important to understand what an anesthesiologist is and does before making a choice between our specialty and another area. The role of the anesthesiologist has changed enormously since the first ether anesthetic was demonstrated 150 years ago in Boston. The anesthesiologist has evolved over the years to become expert in critical care and perioperative medicine in general. No other physician will be as qualified to determine the perioperative risk for a patient with a certain constellation of problems as will the anesthesiologist. Although anesthesiologists may spend the majority of their time in the operative theater, the skills learned during a residency are by no means restricted to the OR. The anesthesiologist today is called upon to manage intensive care units, respiratory therapy, and provide pain management in freestanding pain clinics, along with the more traditional role of perioperative physician.
As medical care continues to evolve, it is important to understand the role of our specialty in medicine now and in the future. Anesthesiologists today may function in several different practice settings. They may choose physician delivered anesthesia, supervision of an anesthesia care team or an academic practice supervising and teaching trainees. In any of these practice modes the anesthesiologist is an invaluable consultant as director of the patient's perioperative care. No one can replace the knowledge and expertise that the anesthesiologist brings to the team when considering risk vs. outcome and the safest and most economical way to care for critically ill patients. These issues are at the forefront of concern for medical care today.
The specialty of anesthesiology has grown and developed over the years and will continue to do so. Now is an exciting time for those anticipating entering the field.