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Well guys, I promised to share my shadowing experience. I'll start with a little background. This hospital is a pretty large teaching hospital in the Detroit area. However, it does not have an anesthesiology residency program.
The anesthesiologists are in a partnership of around 12 guys. 2 females work part time. There are 40 or so CRNAs. So, mostly, they are the stool sitter in this OR.
My day started at 7, and basically went around with the MD, who was a very cool guy. We went through approximately 5-6 patients (pre-op evals and determining how much versed pre-op etc. Also, stuff like whether he'd order something for nausea etc. etc.), and then each of the anes docs run 4 rooms. So, they're there during induction mostly, and then go to the next room.
From what both the CRNAs and Anesthesiologists say, they have a good working relationship at this hospital ("unlike xyz hospital a few miles away"). I've seen the CRNAs ask "what do you think" type questions a few times to the MD/DO (and even last week when I was doing a weeklong surgical rotation). I noticed that this MD would come in, and discuss/dictate the "plan" with the CRNAs. They seemed to work together there, quite well.
These anesthesiologist work pretty hard. They're constantly checking up on patients in the pre/post op rooms (pretty much the same room). They do have some downtime while their cases are on autopilot, but it was not uncommon for them to get calls, either from CRNAs or in one case an emergency C-section.
I had a chance to see the different "curved" blades, versus a straight "Miller" blade, and was told of the significance of such. I didn't intubate, but I practiced on a dummy/model.
I was impressed, and somewhat suprised, at how many different ways there are to skin a cat in this business. That kind of flexibility was cool, but clearly takes skill and experience to know what you can and cannot do. There were several times where an anesthesia plan was being discussed and they shifted gears as to what method would be used. I was with an experienced anesthesiologist so, he was kind of a go to guy (I think).
When I went into the anesthesia office (not really a lounge etc.) I got to speak with 3 OTHER anesthesiologist at certain times. I asked them 2 questions; 1) How do you like your job? and 2) Would you do it over again today? So, out of the 4 total that I asked this of, all 4 stated yes to each question.
It's funny, cause one of the females said that she likes the "instant results of her actions" and that she can "work with her hands". I felt like I was reading one of the sticky's on this forum....lol She did also mention that she was a part timer and that it could work with her family.
Interestingly enough, I asked her if she contributes to the ASA. She said yes, but that the CRNAs contribute more to the AANA (I did not prompt her). I let it go from there, but she seemed aware of the necessity to have a strong voice in congress.
I also got to observe the placement of a Swan-Ganz. This was an elderly women with CKD, diabetes (hence the CKD), who was about to undergo a CABG. This did not go super smooth, cause her bv's were not in the best of shape, as you might imagine. So, they brought out the US. Then, my guy, came in to lend a hand. He got it on the first try, but perhaps he got lucky.
Overall, it was a good day. I'll try to get in some additional time in over the next few months. I was mostly encouraged by the amiability, professionalism, and good spirits of the group as a whole. When you have people telling you how much they enjoy their jobs (how rewarding it is, and not just financially) and that they'd do it all over again, that speaks volumes.
Because, prior to application, I asked the same question to a few IM docs and ER docs. I got at least a "hell no" from the IM dude, and some somewhat sarcastic responses from the ER docs, but they seemed mostly happy as well.
Well, this was mainly for the other med students. Just wanted to share my experiences, of which I hope there are more.
The anesthesiologists are in a partnership of around 12 guys. 2 females work part time. There are 40 or so CRNAs. So, mostly, they are the stool sitter in this OR.
My day started at 7, and basically went around with the MD, who was a very cool guy. We went through approximately 5-6 patients (pre-op evals and determining how much versed pre-op etc. Also, stuff like whether he'd order something for nausea etc. etc.), and then each of the anes docs run 4 rooms. So, they're there during induction mostly, and then go to the next room.
From what both the CRNAs and Anesthesiologists say, they have a good working relationship at this hospital ("unlike xyz hospital a few miles away"). I've seen the CRNAs ask "what do you think" type questions a few times to the MD/DO (and even last week when I was doing a weeklong surgical rotation). I noticed that this MD would come in, and discuss/dictate the "plan" with the CRNAs. They seemed to work together there, quite well.
These anesthesiologist work pretty hard. They're constantly checking up on patients in the pre/post op rooms (pretty much the same room). They do have some downtime while their cases are on autopilot, but it was not uncommon for them to get calls, either from CRNAs or in one case an emergency C-section.
I had a chance to see the different "curved" blades, versus a straight "Miller" blade, and was told of the significance of such. I didn't intubate, but I practiced on a dummy/model.
I was impressed, and somewhat suprised, at how many different ways there are to skin a cat in this business. That kind of flexibility was cool, but clearly takes skill and experience to know what you can and cannot do. There were several times where an anesthesia plan was being discussed and they shifted gears as to what method would be used. I was with an experienced anesthesiologist so, he was kind of a go to guy (I think).
When I went into the anesthesia office (not really a lounge etc.) I got to speak with 3 OTHER anesthesiologist at certain times. I asked them 2 questions; 1) How do you like your job? and 2) Would you do it over again today? So, out of the 4 total that I asked this of, all 4 stated yes to each question.
It's funny, cause one of the females said that she likes the "instant results of her actions" and that she can "work with her hands". I felt like I was reading one of the sticky's on this forum....lol She did also mention that she was a part timer and that it could work with her family.
Interestingly enough, I asked her if she contributes to the ASA. She said yes, but that the CRNAs contribute more to the AANA (I did not prompt her). I let it go from there, but she seemed aware of the necessity to have a strong voice in congress.
I also got to observe the placement of a Swan-Ganz. This was an elderly women with CKD, diabetes (hence the CKD), who was about to undergo a CABG. This did not go super smooth, cause her bv's were not in the best of shape, as you might imagine. So, they brought out the US. Then, my guy, came in to lend a hand. He got it on the first try, but perhaps he got lucky.
Overall, it was a good day. I'll try to get in some additional time in over the next few months. I was mostly encouraged by the amiability, professionalism, and good spirits of the group as a whole. When you have people telling you how much they enjoy their jobs (how rewarding it is, and not just financially) and that they'd do it all over again, that speaks volumes.
Because, prior to application, I asked the same question to a few IM docs and ER docs. I got at least a "hell no" from the IM dude, and some somewhat sarcastic responses from the ER docs, but they seemed mostly happy as well.
Well, this was mainly for the other med students. Just wanted to share my experiences, of which I hope there are more.
