What is an anesthesiologist?

An anesthesiologist is a physician who has completed four years of medical school after graduating from college. Following medical school, today's anesthesiologist completes four to five years of specialized medical training in the field of anesthesiology, which includes critical and intensive care medicine, hospice and palliative medicine and pain medicine.

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesiology, which is the use of pain-blocking techniques or medicines (anesthetics) during surgery and other medical procedures.

An anesthesiologist may administer medicine that numbs the area of the body where a procedure is being performed (local or regional anesthesia), inject medicine into the spinal canal to numb an area of the body (spinal or epidural anesthesia), or make sure a person is unconscious and pain-free during a procedure (general anesthesia) while also monitoring heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. An anesthesiologist may also supervise a nurse anesthetist. Anesthesiologists can further specialize in critical care medicine, pain management, pediatrics, or obstetrics.

Anesthesiologists can be board-certified through the Board of Anesthesiology, which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Before your surgery, you will meet an important member of your surgical team, the anesthesiologist.  An anesthesiologist is a specially-trained physician who not only puts you to sleep but also makes informed medical judgments to protect you during surgery. 

Anesthesia can also be delivered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA.) Don’t underestimate this role.  Your pain management and safety during surgery are essential.  The anesthesiologist doctor or nurse should ask you lots of questions before surgery to get your medical history.