Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

I am a doctor, but not like the kind on TV

Paul H. Ting, MD
Physician
March 17, 2013
Share
Tweet
Share

american society of anesthesiologistsA guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.com.

Hospital dramas are not very short on excitement, but for some reason, anesthesiologists never seem to get the glamour treatment. Maybe that’s because our job is so difficult to transition onto the silver screen. After all, it would be pretty boring to see only one person bridging communication gaps between physicians to provide comprehensive care, all while monitoring, advocating and caring for the patient.

We do not practice some ghoulish breed of medicine where we kill a patient, then bring them back to life, as some Hollywood storylines suggest, nor do we hang out around the procedure room without contributing to the actual procedure. It may be understandable that patients don’t necessarily comprehend all their anesthesiologist is responsible for and all that the specialty entails.  It’s to be expected— the patient is usually unconscious for the majority of the time they are around their anesthesiologist.  It might be easy to minimize what we do each and every surgery.

Anesthesiologists have a unique understanding of many medical specialties, making them a key component of a physician-led care team. We have led the way in perioperative testing and overall patient safety. We understand critical concepts of cardiology, surgery, internal medicine and many other specialties. With cross-specialty knowledge in addition to in-depth anesthesia training, we provide oversight and input as both a patient advocate and a component of a collaborative medical team.

Normally, entertainment also confines anesthesiologists to the operating room, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth. For instance, while my patient only sees me briefly before entering the operating room and maybe as he or she regains consciousness, my role in that patient’s care started well in advance of the procedure, lasted throughout its entire duration and also included planning for their care after the operating room.

I may call the other physicians the night before the surgery to receive a briefing on the specific case and ask any questions I have. I review the patient’s chart to verify test results and I will potentially order additional tests if I feel like there might be a gap in patient safety. In doing so, not only do I increase efficiency by preventing cancellations, but I also use my expertise to minimize the costs associated with unnecessary testing.

The morning of the surgery, I will assist with the patient’s preparations, including placing epidurals for post-operative pain relief and coordinating medications for optimal post-operative care and healing. Safety is my utmost priority, so I take part in key preventative checkpoints like reconfirming the correct surgery site, padding pressure points to avoid injury and conducting ongoing monitoring of the patient’s vital signs.

Throughout all this activity, I am working with each specialist present to help coordinate each discipline’s unique brand of care. My job doesn’t end there, but I think you understand my point. Anesthesiologists do not simply knock out the patient, then mill about the room. We’re there with you, working with you every step of the way.

Anesthesiologists have more than 10,000 hours of training and at least eight years of medical education. We’ve learned advanced technical skills like intubation and ultrasound interpretation, while also being fully prepared to participate in emergency situations and intensive care. We’re the first line of defense for patients, yet our job is misrepresented and misunderstood so frequently.

To learn more about anesthesiology and how patients can work together with their physician-led care team for the best surgical outcomes, visit Lifeline to Modern Medicine.

Paul H. Ting is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. 

Prev

After my daughter's death, I work to prevent future deaths

March 17, 2013 Kevin 13
…
Next

Violence and severe mental illness: 6 questions to ask

March 17, 2013 Kevin 13
…

Tagged as: Hospital-Based Medicine, Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
After my daughter's death, I work to prevent future deaths
Next Post >
Violence and severe mental illness: 6 questions to ask

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Paul H. Ting, MD

  • Find your social media voice. Patients are listening.

    Paul H. Ting, MD

More in Physician

  • How subjective likability practices undermine Canada’s health workforce recruitment and retention

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • Why judgment is hurting doctors—and how mindfulness can heal

    Jessie Mahoney, MD
  • Why evidence-based management may be an effective strategy for stronger health care leadership and equity

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • The gift we keep giving: How medicine demands everything—even our holidays

    Tomi Mitchell, MD
  • From burnout to balance: a neurosurgeon’s bold career redesign

    Jessie Mahoney, MD
  • Why working in Hawai’i health care isn’t all paradise

    Clayton Foster, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding your medical bill: What those charges really mean

      Cheryl Spang | Finance
    • The emotional first responders of aesthetic medicine

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why testosterone matters more than you think in women’s health

      Andrea Caamano, MD | Conditions
    • A mind to guide the machine: Why physicians must help shape artificial intelligence in medicine

      Shanice Spence-Miller, MD | Tech
    • How subjective likability practices undermine Canada’s health workforce recruitment and retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 3 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • How New Mexico became a malpractice lawsuit hotspot

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why health care leaders fail at execution—and how to fix it

      Dave Cummings, RN | Policy
    • How digital tools are reshaping the doctor-patient relationship

      Vineet Vishwanath | Tech
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • The hidden health risks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

      Trevor Lyford, MPH | Policy
    • Why Medicaid cuts should alarm every doctor

      Ilan Shapiro, MD | Policy
  • Recent Posts

    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Decoding your medical bill: What those charges really mean

      Cheryl Spang | Finance
    • The emotional first responders of aesthetic medicine

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why testosterone matters more than you think in women’s health

      Andrea Caamano, MD | Conditions
    • A mind to guide the machine: Why physicians must help shape artificial intelligence in medicine

      Shanice Spence-Miller, MD | Tech
    • How subjective likability practices undermine Canada’s health workforce recruitment and retention

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

I am a doctor, but not like the kind on TV
3 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...