Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 4/27/2008

Question
Im currently in my last year of high school, Im looking at becoming an anaesthetist, after studying medicine. How do you specialise in this area, do you get to experience this area as a house surgeon, like in the way you would in orthopaedics, or do you have to decide yourself without having a taste of what it involves?
Does it involve more chemistry than other specialties?
Cheers


Answer
Hi there
I'm glad to hear that you are considering anaesthesia. However keep an open mind as you complete your medical training, medicine is full of wonderful jobs that can play to different peoples strengths.
In Anaesthesia you use a lot of pharmacology and physiology as we spend our time using drugs to modify patients physiological responses. You will gain some experience hopefully at medical school (but usually way too little). When you qualify the new Foundation Years training programme often has jobs that include a rotation through anaesthesia so you might manage to get one of those.
You can also elect in some medical schools to do a special attachment to a particular specialty and so this might also be possible.
I wish you all the best and yes it is a great a career
Kind regards
DR Ian Jackson