Graduates from medical school receive a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Those who want to be anesthesiologists must then complete 5 or more years of anesthesiology training (called a residency). Residencies are periods of practical, on-the-job training, which take place in a hospital or other medical setting. The anesthesiology residency includes basic clinical training, as well as training in adult and child anesthesiology, obstetric anesthesiology, and chronic pain management.
All doctors need to pass the certifying exams of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). They must also obtain a license from the province or territory where they’ll be working. Anesthesiologists should have good communication skills so that they can effectively communicate with patients, their families, and other members of the medical team. They must work well as part of a team, since the operating room is a collaborative environment. In addition, anesthesiologists need to be observant, detail-oriented, and careful. It’s also important for them to be skilled with their hands as they must be able to insert lines and tubes into a patient’s body accurately and quickly. Anesthesiologists should be able to handle pressure well, and have the ability to make decisions in emergency situations. They must also be willing to continually update their medical knowledge and stay abreast of changes in their field. Those interested in becoming part of the anesthesia care team without acquiring an MD may choose to enter an anesthesia assistant program after becoming a registered nurse or respiratory