An anesthesiologist is responsible for patient care before, during, and after surgery. Before surgery, the anesthesiologist will evaluate the patient and develop an anesthetic plan. During surgery, the anesthesiologist monitors the patient's vital signs and controls their pain and level of consciousness. After surgery, the anesthesiologist continues to monitor the patient's condition and manages any pain. Anesthesiologists also treat acute and chronic pain patients and conduct research to advance the field of anesthesiology.

1. ROLE OF THE
ANESTHESIOLOGIST
Presentation Healthy Care

2. Role of the
Anesthesiologist
A common misconception is that an anesthesiologist is the
doctor who “puts patients to sleep” before surgery. It’s true that
this is part of their job, but it’s only a small part! An
anesthesiologist is actually a perioperative physician, where
“peri” means all-around. So, an anesthesiologist is responsible
for patient care throughout the surgical experience: before,
during, and after the surgery itself. An anesthesiologist also has
many responsibilities outside of the surgical suite (operating
room).

3. The preoperative evaluation will be as thorough
as required to make this determination. Based on
this individual patient assessment and the type
of surgery to be performed, the anesthesiologist
will devise an anesthetic plan for the patient’s
surgery. This may include general anesthesia
(putting the patient to sleep), and/or a regional
nerve block (numbing the affected extremity for
surgery or for pain management after surgery).
Before
Surgery
The anesthesiologist will
complete a preoperative
evaluation before the patient
goes into surgery. Depending on
the type of surgery to be
performed and the nature of the
case, emergency vs elective
(non-emergent), they might ask
questions about patient history,
any previous experience with
anesthesia, conduct a physical
examination, and review
laboratory test results. In all
cases, the goal is to ensure that
the surgery is performed in the
safest manner possible.

4. During Surgery
In the operating room, the
anesthesiologist is responsible for
patient safety and well-being
throughout the surgery. Per the
American Society of
Anesthesiologists, the primary roles
of anesthesiologist during surgery
are to:

5. Provide continual medical
assessment of the patient
Monitor and control the patient’s
vital life functions, including heart
rate and rhythm, breathing, blood
pressure, body temperature and
body fluid balance
Control the patient’s pain and
level of consciousness to make
conditions ideal for a safe and
successful surgery
Anesthesiologists are trained extensively
to understand patient needs and to
make the best decisions for their overall
health and safety.

6. After Surgery
After surgery, the patients are taken
to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit or
Intensive Care Unit, where
specialized nurses, anesthesiologists
or other physicians will continue to
monitor the patient’s condition and
the effects of anesthesia. They will
also take steps to ensure that any
pain resulting from surgery is
minimized.

7. Outside of Surgery -
Pain Management
Anesthesiologist are trained to manage pain
during and after surgery. Surgical pain, or
pain following an injury, is commonly known
as acute pain. This is pain that usually
resolves over time as the body heals. Pain
that persists longer than expected, is known
as chronic pain. Chronic pain can be related
to trauma, such as a nerve injury, or a
disease process such as cancer or diabetes.
Some anesthesiologists take an additional
year of specialized training and become
board certified in Pain Medicine. They are
uniquely qualified to manage and help
patients with acute and chronic pain.

8. Outside of Surgery -
Research and Academics
Anesthesiologists at the Massachusetts
General Hospital Residency also have
significant academic and
administrative responsibilities. They
frequently conduct research, train new
physicians to properly practice
anesthesia, and provide overall
leadership in the areas of patient safety
and quality care.

9. Thank You