Storytelling in Anesthesiology

As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), a common form of storytelling is relaying specific medical information to doctors, nurses, surgeons, and patients. Because the medical field is so specialized these days, there is a lot of passing off of patients from nurse to anesthesiologist to surgeon, and so on. The purpose of storytelling is to make sure that everyone is on the same page and has the information they need. Time is usually a precious resource so the extent of this communication needs to be efficient. In the medical field, written communication is required almost all the time to document patient information, vitals, and procedures. Verbal storytelling, however, is crucial to ensure that the most important information is not overlooked. This quick story comes from online information about positive relationships between anesthesiologists and surgeons.

Dialogue between physicians as the surgeon comes in to the operating room. CRNA: "Good afternoon doctor, the patient has informed me that he prepared well, he looks good, his vitals are steady, and he is ready for operation" Surgeon: "Thank you, it looks like his blood pressure is steady, but could we drop that lower to assist with exposure?" CRNA: "I would advise against that because it would put the patient at risk based on his history." Surgeon: "Thank you for your work and input."

The CRNA needs to give the information and explain potential risks while understand the authority of the surgeon, staying professional and building ethos in the way that they communicate. An effective way to build credibility is to convey in a concise way that you are accountable for everything you are responsible to do. Accountability and competency allows both physicians to remember that they are working together instead of against each other or just around each other.

The only thing that changes here is the timing in which this interaction takes place. Surgeon: "Sorry I'm late, how is everything with the patient?" CRNA:"Good morning doctor, everything looks good, how was your weekend?"Surgeon: "Pretty relaxing, thanks for asking. Now it's back to the grind. Everything looks good." The CRNA and Surgeon walk into the operating room together and address the patient.

This is a minor change with the timing, and probably isn't the strongest example, but it illustrates the point that ethos and pathos can play a roll in storytelling in the medical field. Again, the CRNA builds ethos by being accountable for his duties, but this time he appeals to pathos as well. He addresses the surgeon before entering the room, in more personal and confident in his approach toward the surgeon, and shows that they are working toward the same goal as they walk in together.