Wednesday, April 20, 2016

The Role of an Anesthesiologist


Dr. Bruce Hugh Dorman received his MD from Duke University in 1986. A diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Bruce Hugh Dorman is also the former staff anesthesiologist at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia. An integral part of the surgery process, anesthesiologists are valuable contributors to a medical team.

Anesthesiologists spend roughly 12 years preparing for their careers, with four years spent as an undergraduate, four years spent in medical school working toward an MD or a DO, one year in an internship, and three years in an anesthesia-specific residency program. A medical professional who studies anesthesia must be vigilant and focused, as he is responsible for supporting a patient’s life during surgery.

During a procedure, anesthesiologists transfuse blood, monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels, and keep aware of a patient’s vital signs. Before the procedure begins, an anesthesiologist will discuss medical history, past surgeries, and fears with the patient in order to determine which anesthetic would be the most effective. After the surgery, it is the anesthesiologist’s decision that determines whether a patient should be awakened or kept asleep with the support of a breathing tube.