All Physician Anesthesiologists Are Educators

The subtitle on the cover of this ASA Monitor says it all. Each of us is a teacher. Even if we don’t consciously think about it, even if we don’t envision ourselves in that role, we are all teachers. And we are constantly teaching, whether we appreciate or not that we are doing so. In previous editions of these editorials, the reader has seen that it is my goal to spend enough time with each patient, during the preoperative evaluation, to provide them with an understanding of the anesthetic they will receive. It is also important to give them the opportunity to ask questions and hopefully feel more relieved of anxiety before taking them to the O.R. And though I don’t ordinarily consider it a teaching moment, especially if there is no medical student or anesthesiology trainee with me, what I am doing is teaching the patient what to expect...