Surgery

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Surgery

Who is Giving Your Anesthesia During Surgery?

By Jennifer Heisler, RN, About.com

Updated: January 04, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

See More About:

2 of 5

Anesthesiologists: Physicians Who Provide Anesthesia

An anesthesiologist is a physician who, after completing four years of medical school, completed a four-year residency in anesthesia to earn the credential MDA. In addition to residency, board-certified anesthesiologists have passed a grueling 3-part written test and a 2-part oral examination on the practice of anesthesiology.

Anesthesiologists may elect to supervise the work of other types of anesthesia providers, including nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and anesthesiologist assistances (AA).

Anesthesiologists primarily function in the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit, but some elect to practice in the area of chronic pain management.

Explore Surgery

About.com Special Features

Do I Have Allergies?

Are your symptoms merely irritating, or could they be a sign of allergies? More >

Preventing Headaches

The best way to treat a headache is to prevent it. Learn how. More >

Browse All About.com
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

Surgery

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Surgery
  4. Procedures A-Z
  5. Anesthesia Providers-What is a Physician Anesthesiologist

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.