"The anesthesiologist is a highly trained medical specialist with many different roles."

When a patient comes to the anesthesiologist, the first thing the anesthesiologist must do is talk with and examine the patient, as does any medical doctor, to find out about the patient's medical condition and determine if the patient is in the best possible shape for the surgery. The anesthesiologist may contact the patient's family doctor or surgeon to get patient records or test results. If further information is needed, the anesthesiologist may order additional testing. The patient may even be referred to another specialist if a new disease is discovered, or a previous health problem exists that poses a risk for surgery.

In order to properly evaluate a patient and interpret the test results, the anesthesiologist must have advanced understanding in the areas of cardiology, pulmonary medicine, critical care,general medicine and general surgery. After gathering and evaluating the information, the anesthesiologist plans the best anesthetic for that particular patient having that particular surgical procedure. The evaluation and planning stage may be long or short, but it is one of the most critical phases of administering anesthesia. It requires all the physician's medical training and knowledge to support vital life functions while providing relief from surgical pain and stress.