This melding of education in physiology and pharmacology in healthy and pathologic states is one of our specialty's greatest strengths. Moreover, a large part of our professional expertise deals with airway anatomy. We can give an exceptional perspective of its anatomy and the changes that occur within different pathological states. This knowledge and expertise could be taught to medical students by anesthesiologists in the classroom at the basic science level. Not being able to ventilate does.
Ventilation saves lives.
Students often lose sight of the forest for the trees. They become so focused on intubation that they forget the basic tenet that ventilation is the key. Again, we need to emphasize the importance of ventilation first, then intubation. During this time, a review of basic cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and a review of anesthesia's effect on the human body would reinforce the connection between basic sciences and clinical medicine. Lastly, exposure to other areas of anesthesiology including regional anesthesia, obstetrics, critical care and pain management would complete the experience.