what is an anesthesiologist

An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in administering anesthesia, pain management, and critical care before, during, and after surgeries and invasive procedures. They are responsible for patient care throughout the surgical experience, including before, during, and after the surgery itself. Anesthesiologists are highly trained and have 12 to 14 years of education, including medical school, and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training. They are responsible for ensuring patient safety and well-being throughout the surgery, including providing continual medical assessment of the patient, monitoring and controlling the patients vital life functions, controlling the patients pain and level of consciousness, and making conditions ideal for a safe and successful surgery. Anesthesiologists also have an important role in taking care of people who are having minor surgery or who may not need to be unconscious with a general anesthesia, such as people in labor ready to deliver a baby, and they care for people after major surgery in the intensive care unit. They also help people who have serious pain from an injury or chronic pain, such as ongoing back pain, within a pain management team in the hospital or in an office setting. Anesthesiologists are highly skilled and play a critical role in ensuring the safety and comfort of patients undergoing surgery.