ONLY the anesthesiologist

[Modanq]

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There is a fine balance here between formal title and building a therapeutic relationship with pts. People assume that anesthesiologists dont spend meaningful time with patients but I've actually found it not true. We have short intense exposures. I cant count on my hand the number of people who have died and/or were never extubated after their operations. Me as a Doctor might in fact be the last person they truly speak with on this earth ever again. Cardaic, transplant, cancer, trauma, operations anything really.

I take that responsibility seriously and also in a gentle and kind manner. Sometimes we forget how scared normal people are preop because we do this day in and out.

I think this is why people want physicians at their side and why we should introduce ourselves as doctor. Heart of a doctor mind of a doctor. Lol
All these admins, CEOs, and nurses themselves when push comes to shove want the highest trained physicians when it comes to their own care.

 

[Noyac]

I've run into that. Also, just yesterday, I was checking on a patient post-op and after leaving was typing up a quick note on the computer right outside their room and I heard them tell their visitor "I think the anesthesiologist is the most important person in the room. Without them the surgery wouldn't be possible."

Everything's on a bell curve.

Actually, I am starting to get more of these comments than ever before. Maybe the crna rhetoric is backfiring.

 

[deleted171991]

Actually, I am starting to get more of these comments than ever before. Maybe the crna rhetoric is backfiring.

I hear both this and references to the surgeon as "the doctor". Occasionally, a confused patient will ask about the difference between me and the CRNA.

I don't think most people know that bad anesthesia of any kind could kill them; we've made anesthesia way too safe for our own good. Unfortunately, bad outcomes and high malpractice caps are physicians' best allies against midlevels.

 

[deleted162650]

I don't think most people know that bad anesthesia of any kind could kill them; we've made anesthesia way too safe for our own good. Unfortunately, bad outcomes and high malpractice caps are physicians' best allies against midlevels.

Disagree. Except for major procedures (cardiac/vascular/cranis) I think people are more worried about anesthesia. Being ”put under” freaks them out more than say, having their ACL put back together. People are frequently concerned about either recall or not waking up. I tell those people “you know, you can’t have it both ways.”