Anesthesiologists, to excel as professionals and to be respected by other medical colleagues,should have a substantial knowledge of different medical specialties, in addition to vast knowledge of anaesthesia, per se. These include knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medicine and physics. In addition, knowledge of basics of radiology and ultrasound, CT and MRI interpretation, etc are also essential.
Anatomy
- Respiratory system including airway
- Spinal cord, epidural space
- Brachial, Lumbar and sacral plexus
- Major blood vessels including central veins
- Heart
Physiology
- Gas exchange
- Oxygen uptake, transport and utilization
- Carbon dioxide : production, transfer and elimination
- Cardiac physiology including coronary circulation, cardiac output, cardiac functions etc
- Nerve conduction and neuromuscular transmission
- Blood circulation
- Coagulation
- Fluids and electrolytes
- Origin, transmission and modification of pain
- Temperature regulation
- Autonomic nervous system
- Receptor pharmacology
- Physiology of pregnancy
- Hepatic physiology
- Hyperbaric physiology
Pharmacology
- Drug metabolism
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Common characteristics and description of drugs
- Pharmacogenetics
Medicine
- Co existing diseases and their treatment : diabetes, bronchial asthma, hypertension etc
- Fundamentals of Clinical examinations : history, examination and investigations
- Interpretation of common laboratory values
- Interpretation of ECG, echo and TMT findings
- Common clinical signs and symptoms
- Influence of diseases and drugs on anaesthesia
Pediatrics
- Milestones
- Stages of development
- Fetal and transitional circulation
- Immunization schedule
- Neonatal resuscitation
- Examination and handling of a child
Radiology
- Interpretation of X Ray : chest, neck, spine, long bones etc
- Interpretation of CT and MRI scans
- Principles of ultrasound and it’s application is anaesthesia
- Contrast media
Physics
- Gas laws
- Importance of physical properties of gases, metals etc
- Functioning of different anesthesia machines, monitors etc
- Physics principles behind functioning of ventilators
Others
- Computer skills
- Medicolegal aspects
- Ethics
- Statistics
- Research methodology
- Presentation skills
- Use of Internet
- Anesthesia related apps and websites