Our thanks belong to these men, and a lot of others not mentioned, from the postworld war times and, those who were the founders of Austria's present days anesthesia. Most of the adepts are spending some time in training to be General Practitioners as well. After the end of training, the resident gets the title of a specialist for anesthesia and intensive care, and is allowed to work without supervision. Normally, at this breakpoint, the anesthetist is granted one contract for an unlimited time with a hospital. At a university hospital, one has to submit the certificate of habilitation within 10 years, or the contract will not be prolonged.
Austrian anesthetists work, as mentioned above in emergency care, narcosis and pain management.
Almost all of the postoperative and many of the central ICU's are handed and managed by them. These wards are mostly in their own responsibilities. In the smaller cities, they run the rescue doctor's service at the first-aid ambulances as well. Especially the colleagues in hospitals outside the main cities have very difficult working conditions. The equipment and the techniques are of a western standard, good in town or government hospitals, naturally best at the universities.