My entire Specialty as been insulted all week. I get it pretty frequently: Anaesthetists are so frequently hidden in the background that people don't even realise that we are doctors. Not just doctors, Specialists. We take years to train after medical school. And we have to tailor our services not only to each individual's needs, but to the type of operation and to the surgeon's preference (and skill). So why am I ONLY the Anaesthetist?
Monday: I accept a couple of minor cases at TMC on the proviso that finish by 3pm as I had something on in the clinic. I arrive at 1.30pm only to be ignored by all the theatre nurses. The surgeon is 5 minutes behind. The nurses apologise for the delay as theatres were full. I wait an hour before we get in. Lots of glares then stomping down the corridoor and finally loud demands before we were finally allowed in. No apologies or explanations to me. No estimate of time of theatre availability. No concern about whether I had another appointment to get to. Me? I'm a nobody. They shaft me like this regularly. So what if my uncle is WC Cheng? Doesn't give them the right to disrespect me or expect me to wait at the end of the queue for an available theatre.
Tuesday: my patients either refuse to acknowledge my existence (they won't look at me or speak to me or answer my questions) or they are ready to run off when I introduce myself as their Anaesthetist. Don't they realise that by witholding vital health information from me, it puts their lives at risk? Sure they are worried the diagnosis may be cancer, but that's hardly my fault right? Any intra-operative mishap would be my fault. But if they won't talk to me, is it still my fault? Or theirs? And if they feel s strongly about Anaesthesia causing their cancer, fine! I'll go home, they can have their operations awake with no professional sedation.
Today: The nurse introduces me as the Anaesthetist. Patient looks worried and the nurse reassures her that I'm ONLY the Anaesthetist. The surgeon will come soon and then I'll put her to sleep. He will do the procedure. THANKS!
I keep getting asked by people outside the medical industry why I don't shove my degree in people's faces. Well, this is probably why. Years of being treated like an unimportant part of the sytem, years of being a high class prostitute by surgeons, years of being ignored & trampled by nurses rushing over to serve surgeons... That's why!
Anaesthetists are the largest group of Specialists worldwide. Our exprtise brings us from the operating theatre and intensive care unit, to the labour room to fertility centres, clinics, radiology suites, etc. We are vital members of the resuscitation team. We have to know a little about virtually all medical conditions and drugs so as to do our jobs safely. So why do we, particularly in Singapore, allow ourselves to be put down in this way?
So for all of ou who don't know, Anaesthetists are fully fleded medical doctors who have undergone rigorous training ad passed what is often considered the most difficult post graduate examination. You rely on us to deliver safe Anaesthesia: wake up after the operation feeling well, reasonably comfortable and definitely not brain damaged. You beg for us when you are in agony during childbirth. So please respect us as the Specialists that we are.
Tuesday: my patients either refuse to acknowledge my existence (they won't look at me or speak to me or answer my questions) or they are ready to run off when I introduce myself as their Anaesthetist. Don't they realise that by witholding vital health information from me, it puts their lives at risk? Sure they are worried the diagnosis may be cancer, but that's hardly my fault right? Any intra-operative mishap would be my fault. But if they won't talk to me, is it still my fault? Or theirs? And if they feel s strongly about Anaesthesia causing their cancer, fine! I'll go home, they can have their operations awake with no professional sedation.
Today: The nurse introduces me as the Anaesthetist. Patient looks worried and the nurse reassures her that I'm ONLY the Anaesthetist. The surgeon will come soon and then I'll put her to sleep. He will do the procedure. THANKS!
I keep getting asked by people outside the medical industry why I don't shove my degree in people's faces. Well, this is probably why. Years of being treated like an unimportant part of the sytem, years of being a high class prostitute by surgeons, years of being ignored & trampled by nurses rushing over to serve surgeons... That's why!
Anaesthetists are the largest group of Specialists worldwide. Our exprtise brings us from the operating theatre and intensive care unit, to the labour room to fertility centres, clinics, radiology suites, etc. We are vital members of the resuscitation team. We have to know a little about virtually all medical conditions and drugs so as to do our jobs safely. So why do we, particularly in Singapore, allow ourselves to be put down in this way?
So for all of ou who don't know, Anaesthetists are fully fleded medical doctors who have undergone rigorous training ad passed what is often considered the most difficult post graduate examination. You rely on us to deliver safe Anaesthesia: wake up after the operation feeling well, reasonably comfortable and definitely not brain damaged. You beg for us when you are in agony during childbirth. So please respect us as the Specialists that we are.
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