What exactly are anesthesiologists?
Anesthesiologists are highly trained physicians with at least four years of training in the medical specialty of anesthesiology following four years of college and four years of medical school. And with new anesthetic drugs and techniques constantly being introduced, that training never really stops.
It may seem obvious that anesthesiologists work to assure the safe alleviation of pain during surgery, but that is only part of the story.
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While the surgeon focuses on the actual surgery itself, the anesthesiologist is the one who actually cares for you during surgery – keeping you alive, asleep, pain free and comfortable. To do this, the anesthesiologist employs a comprehensive understanding and application of the newest and best anesthetic drugs and medical techniques.
After surgery, anesthesiologists provide or oversee intensive post-operative care including state of the art management of pain. Only an anesthesiologist fully understands these complex drugs and exactly how they should be administered. For those reasons, anesthesiologists are a vital part of the patient care team, which also includes surgeons and nurses, making certain that things are done correctly and safely, not only in hospitals, but also in out-patient surgical clinics and offices.
The simple fact is, in today’s complicated and ever changing medical environment, no one should have surgery without a licensed anesthesiologist on their side.