VSA UPDATE

An official publication of the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists

Opinion

06/25/21

Would I Do It Again?
By Paul Rein, DO

In 2008 there was a movie made called ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’. It was a story of a man who ages in reverse. Interesting movie. I graduated from Osteopathic Medical School in 1972 with a debt of $20,000. Starting in 1974 I practiced as an old-fashioned general practitioner for six and a half years, including house calls, uncomplicated obstetrics, and minor sur … [Read more...] about Would I Do It Again?
By Paul Rein, DO

03/28/21

Some Thoughts on the Education of Patients
By Lynda T. Wells, MBBS, FRCA
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

In medical school, I learned never to assume that the patient knew anything about human biology. To illustrate this, we were shown the results of a sociology project conducted on a random sample of the general, adult population. They had been asked to shade in where the kidneys were on an outline of the human form. The variation in the responses was huge, including about 10% … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on the Education of Patients
By Lynda T. Wells, MBBS, FRCA
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

01/20/21

Letter to the Editor: Comments on Language Reflecting Gender Bias
Anneke Schroen, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Surgery
University of Virginia

Dear Editor: I read your Fall 2020 issue on Women and Diversity with great interest. Drs. Kamilla Esfahani and Allison Bechtel highlighted leadership development seminars at the University of Virginia titled, Women in Anesthesia and Women in Surgery, conducted in early 2020. Among the featured topics, the role of language in reflecting, and likely furthering, our gender … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Comments on Language Reflecting Gender Bias
Anneke Schroen, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Surgery
University of Virginia

07/7/20

If They Asked Me, I Could Write a Book
By Paul Rein, DO

The 1940 musical Pal Joey had a great song, “I could write a Book”. That title is apropos as to what I could write about the COVID19 pandemic. I’ve been around longer than most of you, but this event is unrivaled as to what it has done to America, and hopefully, as I have said to many people during training: “Mistakes give you experience, and experience prevents mistakes.” The m … [Read more...] about If They Asked Me, I Could Write a Book
By Paul Rein, DO

04/3/20

Physician Burnout – A Few Thoughts
By Paul Rein, DO

Physician burnout is one of the big topics of the day. As an older anesthesiologist I am fascinated by the burnout discussion. I wonder how we got to this point where burnout is such a major topic. I finished my residency in 1982, and became an assistant professor at MCV. After four and-a-half years, I entered the private practice world where I still am. I am fortunate to have … [Read more...] about Physician Burnout – A Few Thoughts
By Paul Rein, DO