Like a video game, we treat a lot of decision-making processes in our personal lives based on a "reward" that we get in the end. There is room for trial and error, and you have the time to optimize your strategy.
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In any medical practice, there really are no do-overs. Our patients receive and leave with the treatment we give them, be it on the receiving side of a prescription pad, scalpel, or medication syringe. Unfortunately, we cannot predict every outcome, but a better knowledge of the risk factors and use of our data gets us in the ballpark in most cases.
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In anesthesia, we have the chance to refine our process, whether it be our medical-decision making related to going forward with a risky surgery, choosing a medication to increase your patient's blood pressure, or putting a central line in a critically sick patient.
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No, not every outcome will be perfect. But our patients will be safe with the baseline protocols we follow, and our confidence and finesse will improve with experience.
Trust the process.

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