An anesthesiologist is technically a medical specialist who takes care of a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and breathing while the surgeon is doing his job. Hence they are categorized under perioperative physicians who provide medical care before, during and after the surgical term and this also includes administering drugs to the patients to ease their pain before, during or after an operation. An anesthesiologist can also be called an anesthetist in UK. This is a very important and specialised field of medical sciences as a patient’s life depends upon the dosage of drugs administered. Too high a dose might just kill a person or make him comatose while an under-dose can cause immense suffering to the patient. It is important for you to remember that grades and academic abilities determine your career in this case. Read more for an insight into the skills and courses required to become an anesthesiologist.
Becoming An Anesthesiologist
Requirements
Eligibility
Candidates who are applying for this course must be atleast 21 years at the time of applying. They must also have an MBBS degree before opting for specialization in anesthesia. There are many examinations held for the admission of students into the anesthesiology course. They are given below:
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All India Institute of Medical Sciences Postgraduate entrance exams
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State wise Common Entrance test
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All India Common Entrance test
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Maharashtra Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam
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Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam
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All India Post Graduate Medical Entrance exams
Some of the postgraduate courses in anesthesiology are listed below:
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PG Diploma in Conscious Sedation for Dentistry
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PG Diploma in Physician Assistant (Anaesthesia)
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PG Diploma in Anaesthesiology
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PG Diploma in Pain Management
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PG Certificate in Non-Invasive Aesthetic Techniques
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PG Certificate in Pain Management
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M Sc. in Pain Management
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M Sc. in Anaesthesiology
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M.D in Anesthesia
Skills Required
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Ability to work long hours – Working for an extended period of time and being available during emergencies is the one of the requirements. So, as an anesthesiologist, you must be flexible and patient because some surgical cases last longer than others.
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Pressure handling capacity – The job profile requires the doctor to work well under pressure situations. Different people are operated for different reasons and you must keep in mind the condition of the patient. Being a quick thinker is also important. Ability to make decisions is also one of the preferred skills.
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Precision and focus – Before getting involved, you must know that an anesthesiologist slows down the patient’s system to nearly death. It requires immense precision and focus as a slight error could be fatal.
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Professionalism – As an anesthesiologist, you are not supposed to have much interaction with the patient. But, a good interpersonal connection with them before and after the surgery is a must for a professional person.
Roles And Responsibilities
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The role of an anesthesiologist is to make the patient feel comfortable before, during and post operation.
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Also, before the person is set onto the operating table, the anesthesiologist must be there to put the person to ‘sleep’. Making the individual lose consciousness by carefully maintaining their body functions such monitoring the heart, oxygen saturation and blood pressure checks is a daring task and also the main responsibility.
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Anesthesia, either local or general, is given so that no pain is felt during the procedure. After the surgery, it is the duty of the anesthesiologist to bring the patient back to life – literally.
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Sedation might look easy, but it needs to be done in accordance to the doctor’s advice and patient’s illness.
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Another responsibility of the anesthesiologist is pain management – either acute or chronic. Running the equipment and observing vital signs of the patient also play a huge part in assisting the surgeon with his operation. The well being of the sufferer is basically in the hands of the anesthesiologist!
Career Prospects
There are abundant opportunities for these professionals in public and private sectors. Before any surgery it is a must that an anesthesiologist be consulted and the reports of the patients properly studied. With experience in the concerned field, they can expect good emoluments. The job profile of anesthesiologist includes Medical Scientist, Acupuncturist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, etc.
