Anesthesia
Many patients, and even some physicians, assume that surgery requires the use of general anesthesia. This is not an accurate perception because in some cases, patients can be awake during surgery. Through the use of local anesthesia, a patient avoids certain risks associated with general anesthesia. Unfortunately, many patients are not given the chance to decide on this option.
In a rush to get through the operating list, an anesthesiologist sometimes decides it is faster to put the patient to sleep. This may no longer be the case in the future because patients are becoming more involved in their health care. They actively seek medical information about treatment choices and options.
Anesthesiologists need to realize that they are working in a high-risk field. It is their duty to make sure that their patients don't take more risks than necessary. In this regard, it is critical to keep up with the latest trends and developments in anesthesiology. Here is a list of helpful resources in the anesthesiology field:
News:
American Society of Anesthesiologist
Journals:
Current Opinion in Anesthesiology
International Anesthesiology Clinics
Elsevier Health Sciences Publishing
Patient Care:
Penn State Hershey Anesthesiology
