Anesthesia Student Survival Guide.pdf - Index of

472 ● AnesthesiA student survivAl Guide
A career in anesthesiology is not limited to the operating room, and anesthesiologists
have the opportunity to choose diverse careers in areas such as
pain management, critical care medicine, or other sub-specialties. Alternately,
they may choose to focus on patient safety, medical simulation, or administration.
Given the vast array of opportunities awaiting the anesthesiologist, it
is not surprising that training must include an emphasis on professionalism,
communication, and mutual respect for multiple specialties.
Professionalism
Professionalism is hard to define, but ultimately it reflects the “wholeness” of
the individual anesthesiologist or the specialty. It embodies the knowledge,
technical ability, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills of the provider, and
each aspect may alternately enhance or diminish how anesthesiologists are perceived
by their patients and the public.
The professional challenges associated with becoming an anesthesiologist
mirror many of those encountered in other fields. For instance, the anesthesiologist-in-training
must develop a strong understanding of the concepts and theories
within anesthesiology, and gain expertise in a vast array of technical procedures.
However, there are also unique challenges within anesthesiology that also must
be conquered – these are frequently underappreciated by those outside of the
field. For example, the importance of communication for anesthesiologists is often
downplayed, yet excellence within anesthesiology requires strong leadership and
communication skills as well as technical prowess and sound medical judgment.
Defining professionalism is challenging and the concepts and examples shown
below in Table 29.1 represent a synthesis of several definitions of Professionalism.
For anesthesiology professionalism, at a minimum, implies competence
in the knowledge of anesthesia. The basic curricular elements considered
Table 29.1 Professionalism: essential attributes for anesthesiologists.
(1) Competence in the fundamental elements necessary for the safe delivery of anesthesia, including both
technical and non technical aspects.
(2) Assumes responsibility for the care of individual patients and as such contributes to the well being of
society in general.
(3) As a profession anesthesiologists have the right to train, admit, discipline and dismiss its members for
failure to sustain competence or observe the duties and responsibilities.
(4) exhibits the following humanistic qualities including: altruism, accountability, excellence, duty, honor and
integrity, and respect for others.