Not what I thought it would be...

[PhillDOc]

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So this summer I have been shadowing various doctors in a few different fields (I'm between ms1-2). I have always thought I wanted to do anesthesiology, but my experiences have drastically changed my perception of what anesthesiologists actually do. Because I'm not sure if it was just the hospital I was in and not indicative of the field at large, I thought I would write a quick post and get some input.

First hospital I shadowed in is a large, nationally renown Ivy League institution. For the most part they do not use CRNAs...I saw a procedure that lasted 5 hours and affects only 1 in 100,000 people (yet not uncommon at this hospital) and the anesthesiologist was vigilant and present the entire time. He seemed to truly love his job and explained everything he could to me during the procedure. He even knew tons about the surgical techniques and pathology. Overall, awesome experience.

Theeeen I shadowed at a smaller satellite hospital of a smaller university hospital. I spent 8 hours standing in one spot in pre-op watching anesthesiologists asking patients about allergies and when they last ate...they spent the majority of the day filling out paper work. THEN they would get paged just before induction, pop in the OR for 30 seconds, and the CRNA did the rest of the case. Between pre-ops they ran into the endoscopy suite to run through questions with patients there....never actually administering anesthesia or taking part in any surgical procedure. One attending actually told me he felt like a cross between a glorified secretary and nurse....which was EXACTLY what I was thinking for hours before. Lastly, patients would ask what seemed like simple questions regarding the actual procedure and in many cases the anesthesiologist would have to look in the chart to see why they were even there. Drastically different feel from my previous experience.

The only remotely interesting thing I saw all day was tons of nerve blocks. Only the anesthesiologists performed these and you could tell they LOVED doing it. For me, however, if my days consisted of supervising CRNA's and nerve blocks only I don't think I would fit into this field.

Is this a typical day in the life? I have nothing against CRNAs, but it seems like this structure is where the field is headed and I'm reluctantly disappointed that it's just not for me. Thoughts are very welcome....

 

[Ronin2258]

I believe you saw all the aspects outside of critical care (i.e. ICU,) that the anesthesiologist handles. Albeit in two extremes; one is extreme or activity, and one is extreme paperwork. Most of my experience is a mix of both happens.

There is always paperwork and pre-ops. It is unavoidable, but it is part of the job. Making sure the patient is optimized for surgery and the anesthesia they will be subjected to is key to making life during the anesthesia and the surgery relatively pleasant for you, and, more importantly, minimal risk for the patient.

When dealing with midlevels, supervision has to be there, because in the end, those midlevels are on your license. If/when I get into the field, I would love to give my own anesthesia. Reality (by my observation,) is that there simply aren't enough anesthesiologists to go around.

"Growing up," medically in the operating room (scrub/anesthesia tech, then MD, prelim surgery PGY1&2, now looking for an anesthesiology spot,) I note several traits in the people who are attracted to the OR have in common. The key one I found is everyone loves to be in the operating room. I allude to the fact in several posts that you have to be in love with working in the operating room to effectively work in the operating room. No one really loves paperwork who works in the operating room, but it is a necessary evil, both for documentation and patient safety.

So you got the chance in your two experiences described to see two pure aspects of anesthesiology. One where you are keeping patients alive through surgery and the medications used to render them insensate and control pain, and the other is the work that goes behind getting the patient into the operating room to begin with. Both extremes you have to know, and IMO, the ideal career is something between the two.

 

[Bertelman]

Both experiences were pretty typical of what we do in a given day. At this point, you can generally choose which one of those docs you wish to become. You can join a practice that allows you to always do your own cases, or you can join a practice where you only manage nurses. You may also find a practice that allows you to do both. Whether health care reform will influence the prevalence of solo-doc care is not yet determined.

At this point, I would tell you the same advice most med students get- don't choose a field based on an isolated experience. Don't pick a field because you loved the doc you worked with, and don't eliminate a field because the doc you shadowed was a dick. More than most fields, anesthesiology has a fairly wide range of practice styles. If you saw something you liked, chances are you can do that in 7 years.

 

[PhillDOc]

Two extremely helpful and encouraging replies. I really do appreciate it. You answered an important question that I meant to ask...whether or not you can mold your career to focus more on the aspects that you enjoy.

I am very early in the game so I will continue to keep an open mind and not let any isolated experience(s) lead to drastic decisions/opinions. Thank you again.

Of course, other thoughts welcome!

 

[hoyden]

It is not clear from your post what actually made you think you want to do anesthesia before, as it is absolutely clear by your description afterward that you have absolutely no clue what anesthesiology job is.

I highly suspect you also have no idea about other specialties as well( otherwise you would know that anesthesiology has the least amount of paperwork and clinic 😉, therefore you may benefit from doing some shadowing in other fields and doing actual subspecialty rotations.

Before you do that you can't make any decisions or think you want to be this or that, since your perception and the real life could be at the opposite ends most of the time.

BTW, are you sure you want to do medicine? 😉

 

[PL32]

why is it that invariably, when someone posts a question like this out of genuine curiosity, someone else challenges them in every way. Not only has he been reprimanded on his lack of understanding what anesthesiology is (which he admitted and in fact was his entire reason for posting this question), but he's been challenged on whether he should even be involved in medicine at all! I am not sure it is too beneficial for the OP or other readers to respond this way.

As mentioned, you've seen both extremes in terms of the spectrum of practice. I think a combined approach is best for me and I'd like to pursue one. But I have no assurance that I will always be able to choose. Which is fine. You will soon realize that if someone feels like a nurse, it's probably because they think like one too. I've seen anesthesiologists that look like nurses and anesthesiologists that look like physicians, both doing the same exact activities.

 

[PhillDOc]

It is not clear from your post what actually made you think you want to do anesthesia before, as it is absolutely clear by your description afterward that you have absolutely no clue what anesthesiology job is.

I highly suspect you also have no idea about other specialties as well( otherwise you would know that anesthesiology has the least amount of paperwork and clinic 😉, therefore you may benefit from doing some shadowing in other fields and doing actual subspecialty rotations.

Before you do that you can't make any decisions or think you want to be this or that, since your perception and the real life could be at the opposite ends most of the time.

BTW, are you sure you want to do medicine? 😉

I guess, for the sake of clarity, I'll explain this quickly again...

As I posted earlier, I shadowed an anesthesiologist at a particular hospital and had an extremely positive experience. What I didn't mention in the previous post (although I thought it could be clearly inferred by me saying I just finished first year) was that I was only interested in anesthesiology from what i've read on paper. Since I'll assume you wouldn't have responded in the manner you did if you weren't aware of how books and such describe anesthesiology, I won't pointlessly list the characteristics, likes, and dislikes of most people who enter the field...

Soooo, after thinking I would be a good fit for it on paper, I contacted an attending at a particular hospital to help see what it's really like. I'm not sure where you train(ed), but in most US schools you don't really see clinical Anesthesiology (or any specialized field for that matter) for quite some time (3rd and or 4th year). I thought I would be proactive and inquisitive and try to get some personal questions answered.

So, despite your unnecessary, excessively critical, and demeaning response to my post, you are absolutely right. I, like every other first year student in the entire world minus the ones that might have physicians in the family, have no clear idea what day to day life in certain specialties is like. Hence the shadowing. Hence the post.

 

[tucker27705]

why is it that invariably, when someone posts a question like this out of genuine curiosity, someone else challenges them in every way. . . . I am not sure it is too beneficial for the OP or other readers to respond this way.

I agree. If you don't want to take the time to formulate a helpful response, don't respond.

Tuck

 

[hoyden]

I guess, for the sake of clarity, I'll explain this quickly again...

As I posted earlier, I shadowed an anesthesiologist at a particular hospital and had an extremely positive experience. What I didn't mention in the previous post (although I thought it could be clearly inferred by me saying I just finished first year) was that I was only interested in anesthesiology from what i've read on paper. Since I'll assume you wouldn't have responded in the manner you did if you weren't aware of how books and such describe anesthesiology, I won't pointlessly list the characteristics, likes, and dislikes of most people who enter the field...

That is exactly what I thought - books and movies and shows, most likely 🙂

Soooo, after thinking I would be a good fit for it on paper, I contacted an attending at a particular hospital to help see what it's really like. I'm not sure where you train(ed), but in most US schools you don't really see clinical Anesthesiology (or any specialized field for that matter) for quite some time (3rd and or 4th year). I thought I would be proactive and inquisitive and try to get some personal questions answered.

Nothing wrong with that.

So, despite your unnecessary, excessively critical, and demeaning response to my post, you are absolutely right. I, like every other first year student in the entire world minus the ones that might have physicians in the family, have no clear idea what day to day life in certain specialties is like. Hence the shadowing. Hence the post.

Maybe you can show WHERE is that "excessively critical, and demeaning response" in a slightly ironic post of mine?
And, BTW if you are so thin-skinned, you may find it very difficult to practice anesthesiology 😀
Why - find yourself - even on this forum.

2Tuck

Sir, that holier-than-thou approach of yours is a bit boring 🙂

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

Maybe you can show WHERE is that "excessively critical, and demeaning response" in a slightly ironic post of mine?
And, BTW if you are so thin-skinned, you may find it very difficult to practice anesthesiology 😀
Why - find yourself - even on this forum.

FWIW, I thought you jumped down their throat a little, also. I understand that tensions might be a bit high given the number of "oh noes, will my 275 Step 1 be competitive???" threads recently. But personally, I thought it was nice to see a med student admit their shortcomings and try to correct it, and seemingly do a pretty good job of understanding what anesthesiology entails.

 

[Ignatius J]

That is exactly what I thought - books and movies and shows, most likely 🙂






Nothing wrong with that.





Maybe you can show WHERE is that "excessively critical, and demeaning response" in a slightly ironic post of mine?
And, BTW if you are so thin-skinned, you may find it very difficult to practice anesthesiology 😀
Why - find yourself - even on this forum.

2Tuck

Sir, that holier-than-thou approach of yours is a bit boring 🙂

Hoyden, I agree with him. You are being passive/aggressive with your replies. No need to be anything but friendly on here. 🙂

 

[GasEmDee]

Maybe you can show WHERE is that "excessively critical, and demeaning response" in a slightly ironic post of mine?
And, BTW if you are so thin-skinned, you may find it very difficult to practice anesthesiology 😀
Why - find yourself - even on this forum.

Well, you might be the one person in all of creation who knew all about anesthesia while in the womb, but most people at the medical student level -- and even in the internship level -- don't have a full understanding of what anesthesiologists do. In fact, different practices differ enough such that even attending anesthesiologists cannot claim to have a full understanding of each other's practices.

It makes me wonder how much you actually understand about the field.

 

[cfdavid]

I really think some perspective is in order here.

First, very little in medicine is actually glamorous. Also, and in response to another post where the CA1 is having some second thoughts, we should keep in mind what our colleagues in other specialties are doing.....

At my hospital PGY1 categorical surgical residents are rarely scrubing in. Then, when they do, ofcourse they're never fast enough. And you think YOU put up with BS??? How about the 5th year gen surg. resident getting lashed about his laparoscopy technique?

Many have mentioned having more respect as a PGY1 in medicine than CA3. Great people, but what about doing general medicine in an OP clinic. Do you really think your day will be filled with bliss??

And it's not just primary care. How about the neurosurgeon whom often is given fruitless cases in which outcomes can be very poor, and then dealing with horrible complications/infections afterwards? Is doing total hips the "bees knees" (pun intended)?? Well, if it's a redo of some fat f.ck, it may lose it's luster.....

I'm just saying that NO career is perfect. ******Regarding anesthesiology, sure it's procedural, but you're really NOT being paid that kind of cash for procedures, which can be taught to anybody.

You are being paid to worry (like a cardiology attending recently stated to me about HIS job). You are being paid to troubleshoot, when the situation arises. You are being paid to THINK, more-so than what many feel the job entails. You are being paid to, like others have stated, ensure a safe anesthetic with minimal complications and a smooth recovery.

Do you think the endocrinologist working up his/her 100,000 case of hyperthryroidism feels he's taking the world by storm? How about the internest who must check all the right boxes in order to get a reasonable fee from an insurance company. How about doing physicals, at least 1-2 per day??

If you really feel that anesthesiology is not for you, then so be it. But, keep things in perspective.

Another thing about this "not a real doctor" BS; Isn't that really a frame of mind?? Sure, I get it. I really do. Often anes docs take a lot of ****. Let it roll (and go back to JPP's pearl on that one).

*********How you PROJECT yourself will have a great deal to do with how you are treated. I will PROMISE you that if you develop a reputation as a deft, and integral part of the surgical TEAM, then you will be treated accordingly. I've seen this, even in the most surgical-centric organizations (which aren't). Respect is earned.

The plastics guy whom misses margins on a friggin melanoma resection goes from being a stud to a friggin loser (my brother's father-in-law recently had a melanoma resection, which required follow up, and NOT by the same guy, because HE was now a dick) in zero point two seconds if he doesn't get good margins. He doesn't get a second chance with that patient.

Again, perspective people.

I could go on and on, and so could ANY of you. I've seen 4th year OB/GYN's take an enormous amount of grief from SCRUB TECHS regarding their pace, even while they're clearly teaching a PGY1, and thus their pace is diminished.

So, to some extent we need to stop the f.cking whining at least a bit, and FIRST put things in perspective.

cf

 

[Frank Rizzo]

.

 

[PL32]

I really think some perspective is in order here.

First, very little in medicine is actually glamorous. Also, and in response to another post where the CA1 is having some second thoughts, we should keep in mind what our colleagues in other specialties are doing.....


*********How you PROJECT yourself will have a great deal to do with how you are treated. I will PROMISE you that if you develop a reputation as a deft, and integral part of the surgical TEAM, then you will be treated accordingly. I've seen this, even in the most surgical-centric organizations (which aren't). Respect is earned.

cf

Great post, great examples.

 

[bronx43]

I really think some perspective is in order here.

First, very little in medicine is actually glamorous. Also, and in response to another post where the CA1 is having some second thoughts, we should keep in mind what our colleagues in other specialties are doing.....

At my hospital PGY1 categorical surgical residents are rarely scrubing in. Then, when they do, ofcourse they're never fast enough. And you think YOU put up with BS??? How about the 5th year gen surg. resident getting lashed about his laparoscopy technique?

Many have mentioned having more respect as a PGY1 in medicine than CA3. Great people, but what about doing general medicine in an OP clinic. Do you really think your day will be filled with bliss??

And it's not just primary care. How about the neurosurgeon whom often is given fruitless cases in which outcomes can be very poor, and then dealing with horrible complications/infections afterwards? Is doing total hips the "bees knees" (pun intended)?? Well, if it's a redo of some fat f.ck, it may lose it's luster.....

I'm just saying that NO career is perfect. ******Regarding anesthesiology, sure it's procedural, but you're really NOT being paid that kind of cash for procedures, which can be taught to anybody.

You are being paid to worry (like a cardiology attending recently stated to me about HIS job). You are being paid to troubleshoot, when the situation arises. You are being paid to THINK, more-so than what many feel the job entails. You are being paid to, like others have stated, ensure a safe anesthetic with minimal complications and a smooth recovery.

Do you think the endocrinologist working up his/her 100,000 case of hyperthryroidism feels he's taking the world by storm? How about the internest who must check all the right boxes in order to get a reasonable fee from an insurance company. How about doing physicals, at least 1-2 per day??

If you really feel that anesthesiology is not for you, then so be it. But, keep things in perspective.

Another thing about this "not a real doctor" BS; Isn't that really a frame of mind?? Sure, I get it. I really do. Often anes docs take a lot of ****. Let it roll (and go back to JPP's pearl on that one).

*********How you PROJECT yourself will have a great deal to do with how you are treated. I will PROMISE you that if you develop a reputation as a deft, and integral part of the surgical TEAM, then you will be treated accordingly. I've seen this, even in the most surgical-centric organizations (which aren't). Respect is earned.

The plastics guy whom misses margins on a friggin melanoma resection goes from being a stud to a friggin loser (my brother's father-in-law recently had a melanoma resection, which required follow up, and NOT by the same guy, because HE was now a dick) in zero point two seconds if he doesn't get good margins. He doesn't get a second chance with that patient.

Again, perspective people.

I could go on and on, and so could ANY of you. I've seen 4th year OB/GYN's take an enormous amount of grief from SCRUB TECHS regarding their pace, even while they're clearly teaching a PGY1, and thus their pace is diminished.

So, to some extent we need to stop the f.cking whining at least a bit, and FIRST put things in perspective.

cf

Great post CF. Gems like this keep me coming back to the SDN Forums.

 

[hoyden]

Well, you might be the one person in all of creation who knew all about anesthesia while in the womb, but most people at the medical student level -- and even in the internship level -- don't have a full understanding of what anesthesiologists do. In fact, different practices differ enough such that even attending anesthesiologists cannot claim to have a full understanding of each other's practices.

It makes me wonder how much you actually understand about the field.

I highly suspect most of the medical students have no idea about any specialty, especially the topic starter. Therefore they should look around first and compare and maybe do some search at least on the forum of the supposed interest. The question has been talked over and over and over again probably the same amount of times as WAMC 😀

P.S. And yes, I have known what anesthesia is in the womb - my father is an anesthesiologist 🙂

 

[hoyden]

Hoyden, I agree with him. You are being passive/aggressive with your replies. No need to be anything but friendly on here. 🙂

You might be right, but I still do not see WHERE 🙂

And I do think that the topic starter should have searched the issue before posting.
However, his/her questions are better than WAMC 🙂

 

[PhillDOc]

Thanks for all the replies. I posted because I thought more opinions and perspectives were better than few. I'm going to keep shadowing until 3rd year in every specialty feasible and keep an open mind. I have been reading this forum and many forums for quite some time and have searched many issues of interest. I really didn't think anyone who uses this forum would become frustrated or irritated by my questions based on innocent observations. That was (I hope obviously) not my intention. Thanks again to everyone who was helpful.

 

[pgg]

Good post ...

I've seen 4th year OB/GYN's take an enormous amount of grief from SCRUB TECHS regarding their pace, even while they're clearly teaching a PGY1, and thus their pace is diminished.

... and that scrub tech needed a beatdown. No resident, intern, or med student should ever EVER have to put up with lip from a tech.

 

[chocomorsel]

I guess, for the sake of clarity, I'll explain this quickly again...

As I posted earlier, I shadowed an anesthesiologist at a particular hospital and had an extremely positive experience. What I didn't mention in the previous post (although I thought it could be clearly inferred by me saying I just finished first year) was that I was only interested in anesthesiology from what i've read on paper. Since I'll assume you wouldn't have responded in the manner you did if you weren't aware of how books and such describe anesthesiology, I won't pointlessly list the characteristics, likes, and dislikes of most people who enter the field...

Soooo, after thinking I would be a good fit for it on paper, I contacted an attending at a particular hospital to help see what it's really like. I'm not sure where you train(ed), but in most US schools you don't really see clinical Anesthesiology (or any specialized field for that matter) for quite some time (3rd and or 4th year). I thought I would be proactive and inquisitive and try to get some personal questions answered.

So, despite your unnecessary, excessively critical, and demeaning response to my post, you are absolutely right. I, like every other first year student in the entire world minus the ones that might have physicians in the family, have no clear idea what day to day life in certain specialties is like. Hence the shadowing. Hence the post.

Way to go OP!!! 😀 Some people around here don't know how to respond without sounding like jerks. Why the heck is he/she questioning whether or not you want to do medicine. Hello, I would presume so since you've gone to all the trouble of applying and finishing one year already. Good luck in whatever you choose.

I for one plan on doing a CCM fellowship because that's what got me into the field in the first place it's got the added benefit of not having to deal with midlevels as much. Not exactly stoked at the idea of just supervising midlevels. So I will likely stay in academia unless I find a good private practice gig that will let me split my time.

 

[Sparkymd]

I really think some perspective is in order here.

First, very little in medicine is actually glamorous. Also, and in response to another post where the CA1 is having some second thoughts, we should keep in mind what our colleagues in other specialties are doing.....

At my hospital PGY1 categorical surgical residents are rarely scrubing in. Then, when they do, ofcourse they're never fast enough. And you think YOU put up with BS??? How about the 5th year gen surg. resident getting lashed about his laparoscopy technique?

Many have mentioned having more respect as a PGY1 in medicine than CA3. Great people, but what about doing general medicine in an OP clinic. Do you really think your day will be filled with bliss??

And it's not just primary care. How about the neurosurgeon whom often is given fruitless cases in which outcomes can be very poor, and then dealing with horrible complications/infections afterwards? Is doing total hips the "bees knees" (pun intended)?? Well, if it's a redo of some fat f.ck, it may lose it's luster.....

I'm just saying that NO career is perfect. ******Regarding anesthesiology, sure it's procedural, but you're really NOT being paid that kind of cash for procedures, which can be taught to anybody.

You are being paid to worry (like a cardiology attending recently stated to me about HIS job). You are being paid to troubleshoot, when the situation arises. You are being paid to THINK, more-so than what many feel the job entails. You are being paid to, like others have stated, ensure a safe anesthetic with minimal complications and a smooth recovery.

Do you think the endocrinologist working up his/her 100,000 case of hyperthryroidism feels he's taking the world by storm? How about the internest who must check all the right boxes in order to get a reasonable fee from an insurance company. How about doing physicals, at least 1-2 per day??

If you really feel that anesthesiology is not for you, then so be it. But, keep things in perspective.

Another thing about this "not a real doctor" BS; Isn't that really a frame of mind?? Sure, I get it. I really do. Often anes docs take a lot of ****. Let it roll (and go back to JPP's pearl on that one).

*********How you PROJECT yourself will have a great deal to do with how you are treated. I will PROMISE you that if you develop a reputation as a deft, and integral part of the surgical TEAM, then you will be treated accordingly. I've seen this, even in the most surgical-centric organizations (which aren't). Respect is earned.

The plastics guy whom misses margins on a friggin melanoma resection goes from being a stud to a friggin loser (my brother's father-in-law recently had a melanoma resection, which required follow up, and NOT by the same guy, because HE was now a dick) in zero point two seconds if he doesn't get good margins. He doesn't get a second chance with that patient.

Again, perspective people.

I could go on and on, and so could ANY of you. I've seen 4th year OB/GYN's take an enormous amount of grief from SCRUB TECHS regarding their pace, even while they're clearly teaching a PGY1, and thus their pace is diminished.

So, to some extent we need to stop the f.cking whining at least a bit, and FIRST put things in perspective.

cf

This is one of the best posts I have read on these forums. Keep it up.

 

[Intensivist]

I really think some perspective is in order here.

First, very little in medicine is actually glamorous. Also, and in response to another post where the CA1 is having some second thoughts, we should keep in mind what our colleagues in other specialties are doing.....

At my hospital PGY1 categorical surgical residents are rarely scrubing in. Then, when they do, ofcourse they're never fast enough. And you think YOU put up with BS??? How about the 5th year gen surg. resident getting lashed about his laparoscopy technique?

Many have mentioned having more respect as a PGY1 in medicine than CA3. Great people, but what about doing general medicine in an OP clinic. Do you really think your day will be filled with bliss??

And it's not just primary care. How about the neurosurgeon whom often is given fruitless cases in which outcomes can be very poor, and then dealing with horrible complications/infections afterwards? Is doing total hips the "bees knees" (pun intended)?? Well, if it's a redo of some fat f.ck, it may lose it's luster.....

I'm just saying that NO career is perfect. ******Regarding anesthesiology, sure it's procedural, but you're really NOT being paid that kind of cash for procedures, which can be taught to anybody.

You are being paid to worry (like a cardiology attending recently stated to me about HIS job). You are being paid to troubleshoot, when the situation arises. You are being paid to THINK, more-so than what many feel the job entails. You are being paid to, like others have stated, ensure a safe anesthetic with minimal complications and a smooth recovery.

Do you think the endocrinologist working up his/her 100,000 case of hyperthryroidism feels he's taking the world by storm? How about the internest who must check all the right boxes in order to get a reasonable fee from an insurance company. How about doing physicals, at least 1-2 per day??

If you really feel that anesthesiology is not for you, then so be it. But, keep things in perspective.

Another thing about this "not a real doctor" BS; Isn't that really a frame of mind?? Sure, I get it. I really do. Often anes docs take a lot of ****. Let it roll (and go back to JPP's pearl on that one).

*********How you PROJECT yourself will have a great deal to do with how you are treated. I will PROMISE you that if you develop a reputation as a deft, and integral part of the surgical TEAM, then you will be treated accordingly. I've seen this, even in the most surgical-centric organizations (which aren't). Respect is earned.

The plastics guy whom misses margins on a friggin melanoma resection goes from being a stud to a friggin loser (my brother's father-in-law recently had a melanoma resection, which required follow up, and NOT by the same guy, because HE was now a dick) in zero point two seconds if he doesn't get good margins. He doesn't get a second chance with that patient.

Again, perspective people.

I could go on and on, and so could ANY of you. I've seen 4th year OB/GYN's take an enormous amount of grief from SCRUB TECHS regarding their pace, even while they're clearly teaching a PGY1, and thus their pace is diminished.

So, to some extent we need to stop the f.cking whining at least a bit, and FIRST put things in perspective.

cf

awesome 👍

 

[InductionAgent]

For me, however, if my days consisted of supervising CRNA's and nerve blocks only I don't think I would fit into this field.

Me neither!

I work in a group of 6 full-time anesthesiologists, 1 part-time anesthesiologist and 3 CRNAs. So I do my own cases most of the time, which is what I prefer. Generally speaking, anesthesiologists earn more supervising CRNAs than doing their own cases, so many anesthesiologists and groups prefer the anesthesiology-care-team approach for that reason.

On the other hand, there are also a lot of anesthesiologists who prefer doing their own cases and not working with CRNAs, and prefer it enough that they are willing to earn less in order to avoid the hassles of supervising. There are also situations in which MD-only groups are able to successfully sell themselves as a superior brand of anesthesia to an anesthesia-care-team model, and garner exclusive contracts in areas with good payor mixes. Please note, I am not saying one model is better than another, simply that MD-only groups will tend to promote this viewpoint.

I think your post shows a lot of insight and reflects how I have felt about the specialty since I started doing rotations as a medical student. While there will always be things about the profession that are not enjoyable, if you make a point of prioritizing job satisfaction over income, you should be reasonably happy in whatever specialty you choose. I take my patients' well-being and my responsibilities seriously, but when all is said and done, the things I enjoy most about being an anesthesiologist are doing procedures and pushing really powerful drugs.