Ok, I'll bite again. 🙂 Keep in mind that I'm an MS4 applying to anesthesia this year.
What do I find interesting about anesthesia?
I like that you have to establish a rapport with the patient within the first few minutes that you meet them, gaining their trust and making them comfortable in one of their most vulnerable moments. I enjoy that you have to think, not just about the best kind of anesthesia for the patient and procedure and how to keep the patient stable throughout the case, but also about other illnesses the patient has that may affect how the patient does throughout the case. I also enjoy the procedural aspect, doing various lines and different types of anesthesia, particularly because you see the results of what you do immediately instead of sending them home with a return appointment in a month, hping that they follow your instructions. I like the rush that I get being in the OR and I'll admit that I like wearing scrubs. 🙂 Also, the anesthesia residents and attendings I've interacted tend to be more friendly and relaxed. Not that there aren't outliers, but I haven't met too many yet. I'll also admit that both the lifestyle and the monetary compensation are appealing.
What drawbacks do I see?
My anesthesia rotation was the only one that I've done in med school where I can honestly say that I woke up every morning looking forward to going to work. I don't find that there are that many major drawbacks at the moment. Malpractice rates are higher for anesthesiologists, up near general surgeons, I believe, but salaries are usually at least comparable to a general surgeon as well. The early morning starts aren't my favorite in the world, but I'm at the hospital by 6:30 am for my medicine rotations anyways, and coffee is my best friend in the mornings. Also, my dad has this not-so-flattering view of anesthesiologists and is constantly trying to convince me that cardiology is a better field with more respect. There are also all the other people who think that I'm going into anesthesia only for the lifestyle/pay combo; while it certainly doesn't detract from the specialty, I actually do enjoy the work aspect of it. Radiology seems like it'd be a cushier job than anesthesia but I haven't really considered it because sitting in a dark room all day doesn't sound fun to me. Plus, I tend to fall asleep in the dark. 😛
Keep the questions coming, Bridaddy. 😎
