Historical Evolution of the Anesthesiology and Resuscitation Resident Training

Abstract

Introduction: From the beginning, the mankind tried to find a way to mitigate pain. Different methods were used, such as magic, plant extracts, alcohol and other chemicals with some analgesic effect. Thousands of years passed until a discovery was made in the nineteenth century, which revolutionized medicine, especially surgery: anesthesia.

Objective: To describe the historical evolution of the anesthesiology and resuscitation resident training.

Methods: An updated bibliographic search was carried out on the antecedents that gave rise to the anesthesiology residence in the world and in Cuba, together with a historical-logical analysis in a chronological way.

Results: In Cuba there was no postgraduate training in anesthesia before 1959 and physicians had to go to other countries to receive that specialization. It was not until after the triumph of the Revolution that the development of anesthesiology teaching began in Cuba. In 1963, the first teaching program of the specialty was created by Dr. Fraga and, once the first specialists were trained, teaching was taken to all the provinces of the country. At present, anesthesiologists from many countries of the world are trained in Cuban hospitals.

Conclusions: The Revolution in Cuba allowed the creation of a training program for specialists in anesthesiology and, in few years, high-level anesthesiologists were developed, thus covering the country's healthcare, teaching and research needs.