This elective is for students interested in anesthesiology and the insights this discipline gives into the application of physiological and pharmacological principles to the care of patients in acute life-threatening situations. Daily lectures, laboratory demonstration, and the pre-operative and post-operative care of patients undergoing anesthesia will enable the student to acquire the basic skills necessary to care for the unconscious and critically ill patient during anesthesia and other similar situations. These skills include airway management, ventilatory support, cardiovascular support, fluid replacement, and intravenous techniques. The student will also have an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of respiratory therapy and its application to patient care.

The student will evaluate patients using common pain assessment tools and a focused physical examination under the supervision of the Pain Attendings and Pain Management Fellows in the clinic. They will develop algorithms for treatment including pharmacologic, non-interventional and interventional therapies. The remaining time will be spent observing pain procedures in the operating room and the procedure clinic.