ANESTHESIA RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT "Career Change"

My path to anesthesiology was not a straight one. During my medical school years my preclinical years favorites subjects were Biochemistry and Pharmacology, where I was fascinated with the world of human body metabolism. Later, I especially enjoyed my course in Pediatric Endocrinology. The intellectual challenges together with modern technical approaches seemingly unimaginable until recently, fueled my inquisitiveness. . Following my internship in Pediatrics, I joined a residency program in Pediatric Endocrinology. I thought at last I had found my place in the world of medical practice. However, it was only the beginning.

As a resident, I worked in a hospital with children who suffered from thyroid cancer It was my responsibility to provide primary medical care and education for children and families suffering from hypoparathyroidism. It was one of the greatest pleasures of my years in residency to see how, after endless days in hospital walls, these children and their once desperate parents were learning again how to be just kids, and mothers and fathers and enjoy life. Discussing their problems openly with doctors made themselves more confident and hopeful with each passing day.

In my second year of residency I received an offer to become the attending pediatrician for a group of twenty children with their parents at a rehabilitation center for victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. This decision would change my career path forever. In preparation for this, I requested permission to participate in treating patients in the Intensive Care and Anesthesiology Department. I knew that in case of emergency I would need to be able to handle many situations. I have also became more interested in the management of acute metabolic disorders. Working with a close-knit team of our surgeons, anesthesiologists, and endocrinologists also appealed to me.

The first thing I was fascinated with in the ICU was that an anesthesiologist really appeared to be the only doctor in an OR responsible for taking care of a patient as a whole person. The problems of assessing preoperative risk, supporting life functions during surgery, and subsequently treating patients in the ICU were all complex difficult, and unusually interesting. These patients required the broadest clinical knowledge I could imagine and quick, but masterfully considered decisions. And, to my particular pleasure, it was possible to see the immediate results of almost every action. I felt that this job was full of energy and dynamics and has led me to pursue a career in anesthesiology.
I've come to realize that my first and foremost duty as a physician should be to alleviate my patients’ pain and fear. For most people, the thought of being operated on seems unimaginably terrible, and an anesthesiologist's ability to accurately convey information to them while alleviating anxiety and making them feel looked after, is more effective than any known sedative.

I also found in the ICU that I enjoyed working with my hands. Though difficult at first, I came to enjoy doing it and became more skilled with time. Not only did I understand how important manual skills would be for the adventure trip I faced, but also for my future career. I used every opportunity to train.
My decision to pursue a career in anesthesiology is based upon my deep interest in clinical physiology and pharmacology and the excitement of working in a dynamic setting like the OR and ICU. In this particular area I have a special interest in Pediatric Critical Care. In the future I hope to join a Pediatric Critical Care fellowship and so combine two of my interests- pediatrics and anesthesiology.