Anesthesiology Career Requirements

1) In most countries, anesthesiology is a medical specialty.     Training as a physician is required before training in anesthesia.     In Canada and the United States, it takes four years after     graduation to become an anesthesiologist (intern year, and three     years of residency - both osteopathic and allopathic). If     interested, anesthesiologists can further their training in a     post- residency fellowship (cardiothoracic anesthesia, vascular     anesthesia, trauma anesthesiology, pediatric anesthesia, pain     management, and even critical care medicine). These     fellowships typically last anywhere from one to two years     depending on the program, and the opportunity to do research     usually exists as well.” .

2) Anesthesiology requires suitable physical and mental attributes.

3) It is important to be skilled with one's hands, to be able to insert     lines and tubes into various sites in the body quickly, accurately,     and with the minimum of tissue damage.

4) It is necessary to be able to cope with repetition and boredom,     without taking shortcuts or becoming distracted. Many operating     lists consist of performing similar procedures many times on     basically healthy patients, while being alert to circumstances,     which require a change of plan. Some operations last for many     hours. While modern anesthesia machines feature many     alarms if patients' vital signs depart from normal, it is still     essential for the anesthesiologist to be aware of what is     happening in the operating room.

5) Anesthesiology has been aptly described as "driving on ice at a     high rate of speed". The profession certainly demands a high     level of skill and competence, but also the ability to remain calm,     cool, and collected in a constantly stressful environment.

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