Questions for CT Anesthesiologist?

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What is the job market like for anesthesia in big cities on the coasts?
 
1) What is your practice environment (employed/academic/pp/etc)? What are your responsibilities?

2) What do you like to do for fun?
 
how do you like your steak
favorite glass of alcohol?
 
How did you end up deciding on Anesthesia, and then specifically CT?

Also, how does your day at work usually break down/how is your lifestyle and what can be considered typical for the field?
 
How are some of the basics in today's age for fellowship trained. PP compensation vs academic, call schedule, average hours per week, job satisfaction, etc.
 
How is your job compared to someone who's in general anesthesia or pain fellowship?
 
should mid-level encroachment be reason enough to pick another field of medicine?

There's mid level encroachment everywhere. The number of ****ty consults from mid-levels on the hospitalist service and obs is killing me
 
Can you speak to why a CT fellowship is valuable in terms of work-balance (hours), pay, more/less enjoyable cases?

Also what are your thoughts on other fellowships?
 
I'm a board certified Cardiothoracici Anesthesiologist happy to answer any questions medical students may have about my speciality.

Just two questions:

1. Why did you title the thread "questions for a ct anesthesiologist" making it sound like you are a med student trying to find a CT anesthesiologist to answer your questions, and leading me to not even bother clicking it for several days?

and

2. Why did you start an AMA thread that you bailed on after less than 8 minutes before answering a single question?
 
What is the job market like for anesthesia in big cities on the coasts?

Sorry I don't have a sense of the market in coastal cities. I'm mid-sized, midwest.

1) What is your practice environment (employed/academic/pp/etc)? What are your responsibilities?

Private practice - production model (eat what you kill with blended unit value). As you know pp is going away quickly, but the model is still sustainable if your group is strategic. My responsibilities include the evaluation of patients undergoing CT surgery or related procedures, managing complex physiology intraoperatively, performing TEE, and caring for them post-operatively. Interacting with the surgeons is constant and dynamic, more so than non-cardiac anesthesia.

2) What do you like to do for fun?

Currently, I enjoy paying off student debt, being outside, and striving to improve all areas of my life.

how do you like your steak
favorite glass of alcohol?

Medium. Any low IBU craft beer.

How did you end up deciding on Anesthesia, and then specifically CT?

Also, how does your day at work usually break down/how is your lifestyle and what can be considered typical for the field?

I enjoy leaving my work at work. I enjoy being a "shift worker." Meaning I am easily replaceable on a day to day basis. No big deal for me to modify my work-life balance. I enjoy being in the dynamic environment called the OR. Much more dynamic than any outpatient clinic I have been in. I enjoy doing procedures when necessary and pairing that with the necessary physiology. CT anesthesia is everything that non-CT anesthesia is ON STEROIDS. Understanding the physiology and pharmacology is much more essential. The patients are sicker, the procedures are more complex, and communication with the surgeon, perfusionist, and RNs is essential. TEE certification is one more aspect that I thoroughly enjoyed.

should mid-level encroachment be reason enough to pick another field of medicine?

NO. You must understand and accept the issue of mid-levels, but it would be tragic for someone to avoid such a great field if they truly love it just based on this issue. This is coming from someone who is acutely aware of the political landscape.

How are some of the basics in today's age for fellowship trained. PP compensation vs academic, call schedule, average hours per week, job satisfaction, etc.

PP comp: $450k, Academic: $330k, 1-2 weeknight calls per week and 1 weekend per month. Job satisfaction is 9/10 but is group dependent. I'm in pp so that is my bias.

How is your job compared to someone who's in general anesthesia or pain fellowship?

Pain fellowship grads usually work strictly in outpatient settings which I have no interest. Most CT people could not see themselves doing pain shots and prescribing oxycontin. CT is all about intense situations and leaving your work at work.

What is your realistic dream car?

GMC Canyon 4x4 SLT, $45k

Can you speak to why a CT fellowship is valuable in terms of work-balance (hours), pay, more/less enjoyable cases?

CT does nothing to improve work-life balance. In fact, in some ways it handcuffs you. Sometimes it pays more, but my group doesn't reward for more complex cases. Way more enjoyable cases, workdays, and team members.

Also what are your thoughts on other fellowships?

Peds in a lot of ways is similar to CT except you are doing kids. Same lifestyle issues, work-life balance, etc... maybe in more demand? Also CT gives you TEE cert. Pain is way different. OB/Neuro...?, and ICU is a different type of animal but still intense work dynamics - lots of call, family issues, chronically sick patients, smelly work environment, rounding, writing notes, and rounding again. Yuck.
 
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