What's new for the medical consultant

The role of the medical consultant caring for the surgical patient has evolved over the last 20 years as numerous books and articles have contributed to the knowledge base of this field. Consultants used to merely "clear" patients for surgery. Now, guidelines based on data are available to direct many perioperative management decisions. The consultant is responsible for knowing the ever-growing body of literature and for conducting himself or herself according to accepted guidelines for consultation.