What is an anesthesiologist?

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who have achieved a medical degree and have completed four or more years of post graduate training (residency) in the medical specialty of Anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists are best known for being the "guardian angels" of the sleeping patient. They are responsible for breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature (all the critical life functions) during anesthesia and surgery.

Before surgery, the anesthesiologist determines whether or not a patient is in the best possible medical condition to undergo the anesthetic and surgical procedure. This is accomplished by the taking of a directed patient history and appropriate physical examination as well as the ordering and interpretation of indicated preoperative laboratory and diagnostic tests. In addition, the anesthesiologist will make recommendations and medical decisions to facilitate the most efficient and safe conduct of the anesthetic plan and surgical procedure.

During surgery, the anesthesiologist continuously monitors and controls the patient's vital functions such as blood pressure, breathing, temperature and fluid balance. Continuous evaluation of the patient and continuous control of the depth of anesthesia are all under the auspices of the anesthesiologist.

Anesthesiologists are uniquely qualified to recommend choices for the management of pain after an operation. The anesthesiologist may be involved in various aspects of postoperative pain management particularly in the inpatient setting. Anesthesiologists in most circumstances are significantly involved in the management of patients in the PACU (recovery room), where in conjunction with the highly trained nursing personnel, the recovery of patients from the anesthetic is closely monitored. Anesthesiologists also provide consultation in the critical care unit and the emergency room. In these areas, anesthesiologists provide airway management skills, cardiovascular support skills and other medical consultations particularly those dealing with emergency situations such as endotracheal intubation.

Anesthesiologists are involved in caring for patients undergoing various diagnostic procedures as well as patients having office surgical procedures. Anesthesiologists also consult and manage chronic pain problems in a Pain Clinic setting which may be multidisciplinary in nature. Anesthesiologists function to provide pain relief during child birth. In this situation the anesthesiologist actually manages the care of both the mother and the baby.