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’m the best anesthesiologist there is

Stephen Freiberg, MD
Physician
February 14, 2021
Share
Tweet
Share

A moment in medical school that left a huge impression on me was when we had chairman’s rounds with the department of medicine’s chair.  He was a renowned breast oncologist and researcher and described a bit of his process when interacting with a patient. The process he had developed over his years of experience was so fine-tuned that there was not a single movement, action, word, or breath that was wasted.  Not to say that it was rushed or disingenuous-actually quite the opposite.  He was just so in-tune to the patient’s experience that if he told a joke, it had a purpose.  If he touched the patient’s arm, it was a specific decision. There was a reason if he chose to stand versus if he chose to sit.

So what could have me thinking about this, almost 10 years later, working in a specialty that couldn’t be more different than academic breast oncology?

Anesthesiology is a weird specialty. It is often joked about being a specialty with very little human interaction. After all, the bulk of the care we deliver is when the patient is asleep. We have minimal long term follow up and no clinic of our own. It is exceedingly rare that a patient puts thorough research into, or requests a specific anesthesiologist (though it does happen, and I believe it speaks volumes about that anesthesiologist as a clinician).  Typically, the patient has found and developed a relationship with his or her surgeon, and the anesthesiologist, is frankly, whoever is assigned to that OR that day.

A key (and mandated by CMS) component of anesthesia care delivery is the pre-anesthesia assessment, or “preop.”  At this point, the anesthesiologist will review all the patient’s pertinent labs and studies, speak with the patient about his or her medical history, and prescribe the anesthetic plan.  In our heavily flawed medical system, production pressures to do more with less time, also applies to anesthesia. This unfortunate trend, especially pertains to the preoperative evaluation, where we are expected to see more and more patients, in faster and faster intervals. Still, this is a critical opportunity in this compressed period of time, and one that is cited on residency applications all over the country, to develop a rapport and relationship with the patient, in what is likely one of the most terrifying moments of his or her life.

You’ll see a variety of styles in the way an anesthesiologist approaches this challenge.  One of my colleagues has the most soothing, calming, relaxing tone of voice I’ve ever heard. Another has such an undeniable sweetness that it immediately puts a patient at ease.  Some anesthesiologists use humor.  Some have good looks going for them (just saying, it’s been written on patient satisfaction surveys. Not mine, obviously). Some lean into an “aw shucks” Southern drawl. Some sit. Some stand.  Frankly, COVID has introduced new challenges to this process, given masking and socially distancing, that many are adapting to.

Personally, I’m still perfecting my style.  I’m not at the same unique level of intuition as that professor of medicine, who knows exactly what every patient needs.  Nevertheless, I can often discern it pretty quickly:

Some patients are hungry for information and want to know every detail. Others want to know as little as possible.  Some enjoy their sarcasm being matched. Others are far less likely to appreciate it.

But a strategy, that I’ve begun to incorporate, that I never in my life would have predicted, is arrogance.

To be clear, it’s a very specific type of arrogance.  It’s a very carefully deployed type of arrogance.  Perhaps a better terminology for it is extreme self-confidence.  It usually takes shape in this way:

I have a patient who is exceedingly nervous and/or is about to undergo a high risk or complicated procedure. I’ve given the patient and family as much or as little information as they desire. I’ve made my best joke (I know you’re shocked to learn that they don’t always land). I’ve made my best attempts to empathize and comfort, but they still seem ill at ease. So I say:  “I want you to know you’re in great hands. Because I’m basically the best anesthesiologist there is.”

And it is universally met with a sigh of relief, laugh, and smile.  Granted, there is usually a comment to the tone of “oh and so humble too!” But I think it’s well-received.

And while I definitely don’t think I am the best anesthesiologist there is, I do think I’m a pretty damn good one.  And I’m passionate about becoming better every day, doing right by my patients, and making them feel appropriately well taken care of.

Wouldn’t you want the same?

ADVERTISEMENT

Stephen Freiberg is an anesthesiologist who blogs at The DADesthesiologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

The times we need to be reminded why we went into this profession

February 14, 2021 Kevin 0
…
Next

Infertility and the physician journey [PODCAST]

February 14, 2021 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The times we need to be reminded why we went into this profession
Next Post >
Infertility and the physician journey [PODCAST]

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Stephen Freiberg, MD

  • The time when our health care dollars are worth every penny

    Stephen Freiberg, MD
  • Why this anesthesiologist rarely cancels surgeries

    Stephen Freiberg, MD
  • I don’t care what your cardiologist says

    Stephen Freiberg, MD

Related Posts

  • I can’t breathe: an anesthesiologist’s perspective

    Audrey Shafer, MD
  • Building a bond of trust between patient and physician

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • More physician responsibility for patient care

    Michael R. McGuire
  • A physician’s addiction to social media

    Amanda Xi, MD
  • Prescribing medication from a patient’s and physician’s perspective

    Michael Kirsch, MD
  • Why this anesthesiologist says “no” to fentanyl

    Karen S. Sibert, MD

More in Physician

  • Why Canada is losing its skilled immigrant doctors

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

    Maureen Gibbons, MD
  • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

    Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO
  • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

    Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD
  • International doctors blocked by visa delays as U.S. faces physician shortage

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • How I redesigned my life as a physician without abandoning medicine

    Ben Reinking, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

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

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Why Canada is losing its skilled immigrant doctors

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

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

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Why Canada is losing its skilled immigrant doctors

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

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

Leave a Comment

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

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

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Why Canada is losing its skilled immigrant doctors

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

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

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Why Canada is losing its skilled immigrant doctors

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why doctors are reclaiming control from burnout culture

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

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

Leave a Comment

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

Loading Comments...