physical requirements for gas

[sunset823]

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Hi, I'm just a curious to be med student who has not much else to do, and is exploring options in terms of specialties (I really am completely open right now). I had a basic question regarding anesthesiology. I have vasovagal syncope, which generally has never gotten in the way of my life or academics, but it certainly cuts out certain specialties (that, among many other reasons, means I will never do surgery).

However, I am interested in work in the OR, and I've been told that anesthesiology requires a lot of standing for long periods, which is one of my issues (especially in hot and/or confined spaces - I get claustrophobic easily). Is this really the case? What are the 'physical requirements' for anesthesiologists?

 

[Jeff05]

if you can't deal with sometimes hot/confined spaces - anesthesia may not be the best specialty for you. we are often standing (some programs do not allow residents to sit during cardiac cases - cornell, for example) for long periods of time. sometimes you are just on your feet for hours during long complex cases when you're hanging unit after unit.

at times you are wedged in the corner like in cath/special procedures/small procedure rooms. sometimes you are wearing lead and it's really hot.

i would do an anesthesia rotation and shadow in several different environments. see how it feels.

 

[Fastrach]

I thought you were gonna say you were missing both arms or something! Just getting vasovagal once in a while is certainly NOT a reason to rule out Anesthesia. And I would hazard to guess that 99% of programs wouldn't have any problem with you sitting down if need be, and that 1% of programs that do can screw off. 😉

 

[RussianJoo]

I heard they make you bench press your step1 score and if you can get 5 or more reps then you're in.

 

[Bertelman]

I heard they make you bench press your step1 score and if you can get 5 or more reps then you're in.

That's Ortho.

 

[sunset823]

thanks for the advice. I just wanted to make sure that it isn't something, like surgery, that's literally impossible for me. I'll explore it during clerkships.

 

[RussianJoo]

That's Ortho.

ohh my mistake..

 

[2win]

if you can't deal with sometimes hot/confined spaces - anesthesia may not be the best specialty for you. we are often standing (some programs do not allow residents to sit during cardiac cases - cornell, for example) for long periods of time. sometimes you are just on your feet for hours during long complex cases when you're hanging unit after unit.

at times you are wedged in the corner like in cath/special procedures/small procedure rooms. sometimes you are wearing lead and it's really hot.

i would do an anesthesia rotation and shadow in several different environments. see how it feels.

"(some programs do not allow residents to sit during cardiac cases - cornell, for example) for long periods of time" - what do you mean, Jeff?
Why they are not allowed to sit????

 

[Pooh & Annie]

"(some programs do not allow residents to sit during cardiac cases - cornell, for example) for long periods of time" - what do you mean, Jeff?
Why they are not allowed to sit????

Totally! Even on pump?! What benefit does staring at the operative field give you? If you don't know the surgical maneuvers, you should watch and learn them. Otherwise, that's unnecessary.

 

[radslooking]

That's Ortho.

I don't mean to brag or nothin but I don't think I could bench press my step 1 score. Or maybe i'm not bragging because im a wuss

 

[deleted59964]

I don't mean to brag or nothin but I don't think I could bench press my step 1 score. Or maybe i'm not bragging because im a wuss

if you're a rads guy wouldnt you just need to bench press the square root of your step 1 score?

 

[huktonfonix]

Totally! Even on pump?! What benefit does staring at the operative field give you? If you don't know the surgical maneuvers, you should watch and learn them. Otherwise, that's unnecessary.

If you dont know that, you need to do more cardiac cases.

 

[Pooh & Annie]

If you dont know that, you need to do more cardiac cases.

What did you see happen that changed your management on pump? Are your pump tech and surgeons silent?