http://www.asahq.org/residentCareer.htm
MEDICAL SCHOOL
After completing a four-year bachelor's degree, students then take
four years of graduate education leading to a degree in medicine
(M.D.) or osteopathy (D.O.). They spend four more years in an
anesthesiology residency (there are about 160 anesthesiology medical
residency programs in the United States). Some residents take one more
year of study, called a fellowship, in a specific area of
anesthesiology such as critical care medicine, pain medicine, research
or education.
There is one important decision you must make before deciding to
become an anesthesiologist: Do you want to become a physician? Medical
school is designed to give students the widest range of choices,
rotating them through all the different areas of medicine. Some
medical students will find that they are drawn to anesthesiology
because of its intense doctor-patient relations combined with the use
of cutting-edge technologies and a fast-paced environment. They will
find that anesthesiologists' training overlaps into internal medicine,
critical care, obstetrics and pain medicine, to name a few, and deals
with emergency cases, organ transplants and all types of
surgeries--from head to toe.
There is a wealth of information available from the Association of
American Medical Colleges , including a complete listing of medical
schools. Students considering enrollment in a medical school are often
required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), as part of
their admission decision process.
Upon completion of medical school, students in the United States
participate in what is called the National Residency Matching Program
(NRMP), also called "the Match." This is when students who
want a particular school are "matched" with residency
programs looking for that type of student. ASA has information about
previous NRMP results that you can review. For a list of all
anesthesiology residency programs in the United States, check out:
www.aapd-saac.org and click on "Members."
ASA is proud to be able to offer a "Medical Student
Membership" that allows med students to have a glimpse of the
profession, even before deciding if anesthesiology is the specialty
they wish to pursue. For more information about the benefits of
Medical Student Membership, contact the ASA Membership Department.
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
There is additional information about the ASA Resident Component,
including the members of the ASA Resident Component Governing Council
who can answer your questions about being a resident in
anesthesiology.
There are about 160 anesthesiology residency programs in the United
States. For a list of anesthesiology residency programs in the United
States, check the Association of Anesthesiology Program Directors and
the Society of Academic Anesthesiology Chairs web site and click on
"Members."
Following successful completion of a residency program in
anesthesiology, residents become eligible to sit for the American
Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) examination. Almost 90 percent of
anesthesiologists are "board-certified," meaning that they
passed the written and oral examinations of the ABA, and all
anesthesiologists must be licensed to practice medicine in their
state. Additional certification is available from ABA in critical care
and pain management.
In mid-September, ASA sends out the "Starting Out: A Practice
Management Guide for Anesthesiology Residents" to all residents
in our membership database who will complete their training the
following year. If you are a CA-4 resident who has not received a copy
of this helpful booklet, please contact the ASA Membership Department.
ASA also offers placement information for residents or other
anesthesiologists looking to relocate.
The MSA offers membership to residents and
medical students
