Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/29/2010

Question
hello I'm a senior in high school and I'm considering becoming an anesthesiologist. I wanted to shadow someone so that i can know if anesthesiology is the right major for me; but I can't seem to get in touch with an anesthesiologist I went to a local hospital and I asked if I could speak to one but they were obviously on call thus I couldn't ask them anything. what do you suggest I do? I don't want to be one of those people who keep changing their major in college. thanks so much.

Answer
First of all, anesthesiology is not a major in college. To become an anesthesiologist you must first graduate from college (with any major), get into and through medical school and then you decide to become an anesthesiologist. As for shadowing, it is unlikely (at your age) that they will let you do that, but once you are near the end of college, it is a possibility.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston