Reflection on Anesthesiology

Well, today was my last day on the Anesthesiology rotation. Overall, I'd say I had a good time and learned quite a bit, actually. However, the rapidity with which we switch attendings makes the residents and attendings hesitant to let us really perform any procedures, I think, except for simple ones like starting IV lines versus intubation. The more invasive procedures, or at least those with greater risk of harm to the patient (in this case, their teeth), the less comfortable they are with students unless they know them well. If they could somehow improve the continuity between attendings and/or residents, then we might get more opportunities to perform more procedures. Then again, is it really all that necessary for me to learn how to perform intubations? While I'd agree it's an useful skill, potentially life-saving, without proper equipment and frequent practice, I suspect it's more of a liability than aid not unlike instrument flight where while you can certainly become certificated and legal to fly in instrument conditions, lack of experience often kills as pilots fail to recognize their own limitations.