Limitations of sub-specialized anesthesiologists...

[deleted9493]

Before this week, nothing had come close to grabbing my interest as did the fields of anesthesiology/critical care. I began one of my IM rotations this past week and really found it to be a lot more fun than I thought it would be--I'm finding a decent level of satisfaction in following people through their hospital stays.

I bring this up because it has made me wonder what type of practices I would be closed off to as an anesthesiologist sub-specialized in CC. Would I be limited to working in surgical intensive care or can these specialists, when experienced, also find work in medical and cardiac intensive care units? Finally, would it be unheard of or even possible for an anesth./cc doc to take up like a primary care/hospitalist type of role later on in their career?

I still definitely think that gas is for me, I'm just trying to determine how malleable a sub-specialty like this is. I know that it's kind of an odd question but I would appreciate the input from experienced docs here. Thanks!

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[bubalus]

Mil is probably on of the better ones to answer this, but what I've generally seen is that CCM anesthesiologists tend to work in surgical based ICUs--SICU, CVICU for post cardiac/thoracic patients. However, depending on your expertise, location, hospital size, etc, you may end up doing a variety of critical care.

 

[Planktonmd]

Before this week, nothing had come close to grabbing my interest as did the fields of anesthesiology/critical care. I began one of my IM rotations this past week and really found it to be a lot more fun than I thought it would be--I'm finding a decent level of satisfaction in following people through their hospital stays.

I bring this up because it has made me wonder what type of practices I would be closed off to as an anesthesiologist sub-specialized in CC. Would I be limited to working in surgical intensive care or can these specialists, when experienced, also find work in medical and cardiac intensive care units? Finally, would it be unheard of or even possible for an anesth./cc doc to take up like a primary care/hospitalist type of role later on in their career?

I still definitely think that gas is for me, I'm just trying to determine how malleable a sub-specialty like this is. I know that it's kind of an odd question but I would appreciate the input from experienced docs here. Thanks!

You could be a hospitalist if you are ok making about 50 % less money.

 

[militarymd]

One of the problems of medical training and academic centers is that what the trainees see is a very limited spectrum of what exists out in the "real world".

With just a MD and a license to practice "medicine and surgery" ...you can do just about ANYTHING you want.

With a certificate of special qualification in critical care medicine from the ABA, you will be able to find what you want to do.....albeit it may not be in a specific city or hospital.

There are many places out there that ALL they have are FP's....

Because anesthesia critical care is not the USUAL doctor in the ICU may require that you spend some time building your reputation, but once that is done, there should be no problem with practicing in any type of unit.

 

[urgewrx]

With just a MD and a license to practice "medicine and surgery" ...you can do just about ANYTHING you want.

There are many places out there that ALL they have are FP's....

True. That was very common 30 yrs ago. Some of the big wigs in certain societies only finished an internship. Thats changing. Nowadays if there are specialists available, the hospital will probably not credential you.