Anesthesiologists

High School

If you are interested in becoming an anesthesiologist, focus your high school education on college preparatory courses. Mathematics classes and science classes, especially biology and chemistry, should be helpful. In addition, English classes will help you improve your communication and research skills. Also, consider taking a foreign language, since you may be required to show proficiency in another language later on in your schooling.

Postsecondary Training

You must first earn an M.D. degree and pass an examination to become licensed to practice medicine. This requires eight to 10 years of additional education and training after high school. Then you must complete a four-year residency. The first year is spent training in an area of clinical medicine other than anesthesia, such as internal or emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics, or neurology. The final three years of study are then spent in an anesthesiology residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. You can find a list of accredited residency programs at the council’s Web site, https://www.acgme.org or through the American Medical Association.

Many anesthesiologists also complete an additional fellowship year of specialty training in specific areas such as pain management, neuroanesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, cardiac anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, or critical care medicine.

Certification

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) offers the Executive Physician Leadership Program in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. The program "allows mid-executive level leaders to enhance their leadership skills development in the areas of influence and motivation, change management, corporate finance, and health care system strategy." Contact ASA for more information.

Other Education or Training

The ASA offers continuing education opportunities on topics such as clinical ethics, new medical developments, and practice management. The American Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association also offer a variety of webinars, seminars, and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.