WHO IS THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST?
An anesthesiologist is a doctor who has specialized knowledge and training in anesthesiology and pain relief. This requires a four-year medical degree as well as four years of specialty training in anesthesiology (one year of internship and three years of residency). Some anesthesiologists continue subspecialty training in areas such as critical care, pediatric anesthesiology, pain management, obstetric anesthesiology, neuroanesthesiology, and cardiothoracic anesthesiology. Advanced, subspecialty training of this type is called fellowship training. WHAT DOES THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST DO? For a patient having surgery, the anesthesiologist medically evaluates the patient prior to surgery, determines any anesthetic concerns (for instance, diabetes or heart trouble), and determines the patient’s individualized plan for anesthetic management. The patient will meet the anesthesiologist before undergoing any type of anesthesia and can ask any questions at that time. In the operating room, the anes
