<p>Do I have to be good at math to be an anesthesiologist?</p>
<p>Many physiolgic functions are described with math equations.<br>
I don't do calculus, but I have to understand calculus to understand why some things in the body work the way they do.
I don't do statistics, but I have to understand some things about statistics to read and understand the importance of research articles. If I were a research anesthesiologist, then I would have to have more knowledge about statistics unless I had easy access to a statistician to tell me what test to use for statistical significance when doing a study.
Years ago, we had to calculate a lot of things in Critical Care that are now done by computer.
There are a number of equations that you have to memorize as a resident to pass your boards, but it's not overwhelming.<br>
For day to day patient care, it's arithmetic. Maybe some geometry if your practice includes a lot of peripheral nerve blocks.</p>
<p>It depends on what you mean by "math". Basic algebra -- what I was doing in seventh grade -- is clearly crucial. Only very rudimentary (i.e. instinctive rather than formal) differentiation and integration would ever be required on a day-to-day basis. LWMD mentions geometry, which hadn't occurred to me but makes sense.</p>
<p>I can't imagine that linear algebra or higher would ever be required except in research involving derivations of proper equations in the first place.</p>
<p>What you need for testingI can't speak to -- but what LWMD says makes a great deal of sense.</p>
<p>I hope so -- I am an anesthesiologist, in practice for over 25 years. I wish I could help you more on what you need to know about math for the written boards, but that was a while ago.</p>
<p>LWMD: How did you do in Chemistry while you were in college? Just curious.</p>
<p>Very well in both General and Organic Chemistry. The summer before my senior year I was did an independent research project in biochemistry (for credit). Had I not gotten into med school, I probably would have gone to grad school in biochem.</p>