What is residency training?

Question

Kate Swindlehurst · Accepted Answer

Residency training is a stage of graduate medical education that follows the completion of medical school. It is a period of intense, practical, and supervised training in a specific medical field, such as surgery, pediatrics, or internal medicine. The duration of residency training varies depending on the specialty, but it typically lasts between three to seven years.

During residency training, resident physicians work in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of experienced physicians. In this setting, they have the opportunity to interact directly with patients, perform procedures, and make critical decisions about patient care. The goal of residency training is to prepare resident physicians for independent practice in their chosen specialty.

Residency training programs are typically competitive and rigorous. They require long hours, and therefore call for a high level of commitment from the resident physicians. Despite the intensity of the training, many find it a rewarding experience as they transition from theoretical learning in medical school to practical application in their chosen field.