Anesthesiology is a continuity of patient care involving preoperative evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative care and the management of systems and personnel that support these activities. It is the practice of medicine dealing with but not limited to:

• The assessment of, consultation for, and preparation of patients for anesthesia.
• The relief and prevention of pain during and following surgical, obstetric, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• The monitoring and maintenance of normal physiology during the perioperative period.
• The management of critically ill patients.
• The diagnosis and treatment of acute, chronic and cancer related pain.
• The evaluation of respiratory function and application of respiratory therapy.
• The conduct of clinical, translational and basic research.
• The supervision, teaching, and evaluation of performance of personnel, both medical and paramedical, involved in perioperative care.
• The administrative involvement in health care facilities and organizations.