“It’s important for anesthesiologists to take a leadership role in the care of patients because we’re the only specialty that interacts with patients at all aspects of their care; really from the time they come into the hospital through that entire perioperative period.”
“It’s really vital that anesthesiologists be at the helm of patient care. We have so many different aspects of understanding of what’s going on with the patient. We really are critical care physicians in the operating room.”
“One of the things as an anesthesiologist that makes your day worthwhile is just to see how important your job is to other people … Self-fulfillment sometimes comes from seeing the effect you have on other people, especially people that are vulnerable and depend on you to make decisions for them.”
Board certification demonstrates that a physician is meeting the highest standards of their practice in a medical specialty. It is a voluntary process that involves rigorous assessments of physicians’ knowledge and skills. Unlike medical licensure, which is required and sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, certification is a mark of distinction. Physicians, healthcare institutions, insurers and quality organizations look for board certification as a measure of a physician’s ability to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty.
Visit our Candidate/Diplomate Directory to determine if an anesthesiologist is board certified.
Medical practice is constantly evolving, making it essential for physicians to keep their knowledge and skills up to date to provide high-quality patient care. Our Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology® program (MOCA®) allows physicians to continuously assess their knowledge and participate in continuing medical education to stay up to date. Check your anesthesiologist’s MOCA status in our Candidate/Diplomate Directory.
1. Are you certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology?
2. What type of anesthesia do you recommend for my procedure?
• What are the risks and benefits of this type of anesthesia?
• What are the alternatives and the risks and benefits of these alternatives?
• Will I wake up with the breathing tube in place?
3. Will I require a breathing tube?
4. What are the options for pain management after my procedure or surgery?
5. How can I avoid nausea and vomiting after surgery? What are the treatment options for this condition?