207L00000X - Anesthesiology

Updated on July 01, 2023. Version 23.1

An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an operation or an obstetric or diagnostic procedure. The anesthesiologist assesses the risk of the patient undergoing surgery and optimizes the patient's condition prior to, during and after surgery. In addition to these management responsibilities, the anesthesiologist provides medical management and consultation in pain management and critical care medicine. Anesthesiologists diagnose and treat acute, long-standing and cancer pain problems; diagnose and treat patients with critical illnesses or severe injuries; direct resuscitation in the care of patients with cardiac or respiratory emergencies, including the need for artificial ventilation; and supervise post-anesthesia recovery.

Source: American Board of Medical Specialties, 2007. www.abms.org [7/1/2007: added definition, added source; 7/1/2011: modified source]

Additional Resources: American Board of Anesthesiology, 2007. http://www.theaba.org/; American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology, 2007, http://www.osteopathic.org/certification

Board certification for Medical Doctors (MDs) is provided by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Board certification for Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) is provided by the American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology.

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