MDA residency

Emerald,

First of all, you might not want to use the term MDA. On one hand, everyone knows who you are referring to when you use it, so it is an effective abbreviation for a long title. On the other, 1) they don't like it (due to historicial and political reasons that I'm not clear on) and 2) it's not accurate, as quite a few of them are graduates of osteopathic medical schools, or DO's. Similarly, as I have found, CRNA's don't want to be called "anesthesia nurses". So I don't.

To answer your question, it depends on the program. 4 years; the first is a general medical internship (?), followed by 3 clinical years, CA-1, CA-2, and CA-3. With each passing year comes increasing responsibility and independence. They cycle through rotations, such as CT, neuro, OB, etc. Didactic instruction is interspersed throughout; less structure than CRNA school, more independent reading is expected than actual classroom work. Remember, residency is a JOB, and these guys are paid a liveable but not hefty salary to train and learn all they can before their board exam to become certified anesthesiologists, which contains an interview/oral component.

I am currently in clinical at a teaching facility that trains 6-10 anesthesia residents per class. The residents function more or less the same as CRNA's; they are present for the entire case with an attending "covering", whatever that means (always present for induction, usually present for extubation, and always "available"). Residents do just about all of the neuraxial and regional anesthesia for the entire hospital; this is usually during a "block" rotation. They work 6-5+, 5 days a week, with periodic night and weekend call. Plus a fair amout of research is expected/required. I'm sure it's tough, but they are rewarded accordingly when it's done.

Check out a teaching hospital's website for more specific info. Maybe someone can elaborate on what I've mentioned. It would be nice if some anesthesiologists posted more frequently, but this has been known to be a hostile environment.

At my hospital residents finish an internship (could be internal medicine, surgery, or combination of the two and others) then 3 years of anesthesia. Last month of internship is anesthesia paired up with senior resident to learn the ropes. Then resident is in OR doing case with an attending that is 1:2 supervision. During the three years of anesthesia there are ICU, pain, and regioanl rotations as well as several months of OB, CT, peds, neuro, vasc, ent, etc. Yearly research project required.

First of all, a disclaimer: this is NOT meant to be a MDA vs. CRNA thread, whose training is better, so PLEASE do not go there!!

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you better hope platon doesn't read this....

haha

chris

you better hope platon doesn't read this....

I'm holding my breath.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................hypercarbia ain't no fun...