Role of an Anaesthesiologist in Modern Medicine:
Inside the Operation Theatre:
Contrary to the notion that anaesthesiologists only put patients to sleep by administering medications and bring them back to consciousness, the anaesthesiologists actually help in decision making about the feasibility of operations depending upon the pre-existing physical or functional problems of the patient and nature of the operation. An anaesthesiologist optimises the vital function before operation, maintains it during operation and supports it as per need after the operation is over. The Anaesthesiologist offers these services due to his expertise not only in anaesthesia but also in critical care, pain management and palliative care. Broad based knowledge of different speciality apart from anaesthesia, medicine and pain management is necessary in order to contribute effectively in over-all management of patients. The anaesthesiologist's role therefore is not only vital inside the operation theatre but outside the theatre as well.
Outside the Operation Theatre
Critical and Intensive Care
Critical care is emerging as a super speciality for managing patients who are very seriously ill but not terminally ill and are in need of sophisticated life support system to salvage them from near death situations. Contribution of the anaesthesiologist is immense at global level in developing critical care to its present form. Anaesthesiologists not only play a crucial role in the management of patient who are fighting for their life, but also offer administrative role in managing the unit.
Pain
Remaining free of pain is the right for any individual. Doctors have been relieving pain with a variety of medications and treatments since ages. This aspect of medical care is now developed enough to be identified as a separate sub-speciality. Anaesthesiologists also specialize in treating acute and chronic pain. They are focused on in-depth study and management of all types of pain related to acute and chronic diseases, post-operation pain and even in managing labour pain.
Trauma
In the management of trauma, the anaesthesiologist plays a key role in the successful resuscitation of the injured patient due to their advanced training in airway management, resuscitation from shock, invasive monitoring and transport of serious patients.
Palliative Care
A small but clinically significant proportion of patients suffers from non-curable diseases and become terminally ill. During the course of such diseases, they experience severe physical and/or psychological stress and pain, which is usually refractory to the common medicines. Anaesthesiologists are uniquely qualified to contribute to the comprehensive care of such patients due to their knowledge and skill in eliminating pain with medicines and different type of invasive and non-invasive procedures.
Resuscitation
The anaesthesiologist is often the best prepared to deal with an emergency situation. Accordingly and because of their expertise in airway management they are considered an important part of the cardiac arrest team in most major hospitals. Because of the unique background, the Department of Anaesthesia also plays an effective role in teaching and providing training in both Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support techniques.
