Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 7/6/2008

Question
hi,
my name is aliyah and in 2008-2009 i will be a freshman in high school. the career path i would like to take is becoming an anesthsiologist. i was wondering what kind of degrees would you need to become an Ansethesiologist? and one more question how is it being and ansesthesiologist in all? was it worth going to school for 12 year not including high school

Answer
Hi Aliyah
From you spelling I guess you are in the USA. I'm UK based and could tell you about what we can do but it would not be the same as the states. Please look at the past answers of my American colleague Dr Levy as this is a common question. Feel free to ask me further if you are interested in the UK or ask Dr Levy directly if the past answers don't supply what you need.
The link you need is http://en.allexperts.com/q/Anesthesiology-962/indexExp_9557.htm
Was it worth it?
I have a lot of female anaesthetic colleagues as anaesthesia in the Uk does allow one to balance family life and work with some more control - compared to ther hospital based specialties. It is also very interesting as there as so many avenues that you can follow by providing anaesthesia services to different specialties. This means that during your career you can gradually change the areas that you are working with and so maintain your interest and deal with the effects of aging on your abilities!
Anaesthesia is a great career and I have no regrets in having taken up my profession.

Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson