Anaesthetics Specialty Profile

Anaesthetics is a medical specialty which combines in-depth knowledge of physiology and pharmacology in combination with a proficiency in various procedural skills, particularly airway management. The anaesthetist undertakes an enormous responsibility. By rendering patients paralyzed and insensitive to pain and stress they are responsible for ensuring their patient's health and safety during surgical or other interventional (eg radiological or endoscopic) procedures. Their expertise in caring for critically ill patients is highly valued and means that they may also be found attending medical emergencies in casualty or the hospital ward.

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Anaesthetics Training Program

Training Program

This is a five year program which comprises two years basic training and three years advanced training. Successful completion of the training program requires passing both the primary and final examinations; completing a formal project (ie research paper or review);... more

Application process

Applicants are eligible after completing 24 months of post graduate medical training which includes internship and a subsequent residency. Application for accredited training positions are made directly to hospitals which offer accredited anaesthetic registrar posts.... more

Length of Training

Training takes 5 years in total to complete comprising two years basic and three years advanced experience.... more

Cost of Training

Once Only Registration Fee $1,400 Annual Training Fee $1,400 Examination Fee Part 1 $3,030 Examination Fee Part 2 $3,530 Courses: EMST (Early Management of Severe Trauma): $2,100 EMAC (Effective Management of Anaesthetic Crises): $1815 (incl GST) Costs as at 2008,... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

Entry to the training program is competitive with more applicants than positions.... more

Flexibility in Training

Part-time training with at least 50% of normal work hours may be undertaken if prior approval is sought. Extended absence of training greater such as for sick or parental leave is allowed for up to one consecutive year. If the... more

Anaesthetics Workplace

The workplace

Anaesthetists provide anaesthesia for patients undergoing operations and those having medical procedures requiring sedation such as endoscopy or interventional radiology. Anaesthesia is provided for patients undergoing the full range of operative procedures ranging from relatively simple hernia repairs to more... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Despite the image often jokingly portraying anaesthetists as doctors who would rather have their patient asleep than talking, anaesthetists often have important patient interactions. The doctor patient relationship is generally limited to the pre-operative assessment and period of peri-operative care.... more

Intellectual content

Anaesthetics is an intellectually demanding specialty requiring in-depth knowledge of pharmacology and physiology, particularly cardiac and pulmonary physiology. As more and more complex patients are undergoing surgery, anaesthetists are increasingly required to have a sound knowledge of internal medicine in... more

Medical indemnity

Medico-legal issues, as with all aspects with medical practice are becoming increasingly significant. Nonetheless the problems are not as prevalent as with high risk specialties such as surgery and obstetrics. Use our risk category tool to see what risk category... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Anaesthetists may work in public or private practice or a combination of both. Public positions often involve an academic or teaching role and is centered in the operating theatre. Services are provided for departments other than surgical based ones such... more

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