Anesthesiologists have the medical background to deal with many emergency situations. They provide airway management, cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation, advanced life support and pain control. As consultants, they play an active role in stabilizing and preparing the patient for emergency surgery, as well as in the care of critically ill patients.
The education of today's anesthesiologists has kept pace with their expanding role in offering the highest quality health care in their field of expertise. After completing medical school, a four-year anesthesiology residency training program is required to become a specialist in anesthesiology. Fellowships in an anesthesia subspecialty and in education or research may also be pursued following residency training.