Doctors who have completed specialist training and examinations in anaesthetics are called anaesthetists. In America they are called anaesthesiologists.
Anaesthetists in Australia complete many years or training (6 years at medical school, at least 2 years as a resident doctor, and at least 5 years as an anaesthetic registrar). These training years include paediatric anaesthesia, cardiac anaesthesia, obstetric anaesthesia, thoracic anaesthesia, and other anaesthetic sub-specialties. They also include acute pain management, intensive care, resuscitation and critical care, and much more.
Anaesthesia is often regarded as "just going off to sleep". However this is actually incorrect because anaesthetics cause unconsciousness or coma, rather than sleep. The medications used to induce the coma have a big impact on the body and organ systems. The surgery itself also causes great stress on the body. In fact, without an anaesthetic most operations would not be possible because the body would not be able to cope. It is only because of the work of anaesthetists that modern surgery is possible.
Anaesthetists are responsible for your safety and care during surgery and the recovery from the operation. The anaesthetist will always stay with you for the duration of the operation, making sure that your are properly anaesthetised, and supporting all your body's essential functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Another important role is to give pain relief so that when you regain consciousness, you will be comfortable.
Anaesthetists in Australia complete many years or training (6 years at medical school, at least 2 years as a resident doctor, and at least 5 years as an anaesthetic registrar). These training years include paediatric anaesthesia, cardiac anaesthesia, obstetric anaesthesia, thoracic anaesthesia, and other anaesthetic sub-specialties. They also include acute pain management, intensive care, resuscitation and critical care, and much more.
Anaesthesia is often regarded as "just going off to sleep". However this is actually incorrect because anaesthetics cause unconsciousness or coma, rather than sleep. The medications used to induce the coma have a big impact on the body and organ systems. The surgery itself also causes great stress on the body. In fact, without an anaesthetic most operations would not be possible because the body would not be able to cope. It is only because of the work of anaesthetists that modern surgery is possible.
Anaesthetists are responsible for your safety and care during surgery and the recovery from the operation. The anaesthetist will always stay with you for the duration of the operation, making sure that your are properly anaesthetised, and supporting all your body's essential functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Another important role is to give pain relief so that when you regain consciousness, you will be comfortable.