What to Expect as a Medical Resident? There is a lot to celebrate upon graduating from medical school — first and foremost, you are officially a physician! Additional training is still needed, though, and it comes in the form of a medical residency.
Medical residency is the culmination of your many years of hard work and dedication finally coming to light. There will be more hard work ahead, but what else do you really know about what’s to come?
Your postgraduate training will differ from your schooling in a lot of ways, but whether you are trying to figure out the best scrubs or the best medical bag to buy for residency, how often you will be using them or what medical residency is, knowing what to expect from this stage in your career will help you to relax, prepare and excel.
What Is Medical Residency?
Medical residency is the period of training that you will go through, as a doctor, after completing medical school. The biggest differentiator upon making the shift from medical student to resident is that you will be practicing as a licensed physician (though you will still be under close supervision by senior residents and attending physicians and have access to support).
Your communication, consulting, and care coordination skills will all be improved on, you will work with and coordinate with other healthcare professionals, your knowledge will be put to action, and, most significant of all, you will be in the driver’s seat.
Where Will You Be a Resident?
In amongst the chaos of the last year of your medical schooling is when you will start the “matching” process, meant to help you land the most suited and beneficial residency for you, as well as the most suited candidate for the program hosting it.
This process involves:
- You, the candidate, submitting a ranked list of your residencies of choice to the National Resident Matching Program (but not to worry, as these lists do remain confidential).
- Residency programs submitting a similar list, consisting of their candidates in the preferred order of acceptance.
- A program with a complex and efficient algorithm finds the best student-residency matches based on the information provided.
How Long Does Residency Last?
You will want to consult with the American Medical Association’s current Graduate Medical Education Directory for more specific and official requirements of your training, but generally, your medical residency will last somewhere between three and seven years depending on the path you have chosen.
What Hours Do You Work as a Medical Resident?
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has enforced nationwide restrictions on the number of hours that accredited medical residency programs can schedule their interns to be on duty.
For the well-being of supervisors, interns and patients alike, medical residents are allowed to work a maximum of 80 hours per week, with a maximum shift length of 30 hours.
his may sound intimidating, but it is important to remember that it is also very specialty-specific. Some interns may be on duty around 40 hours a week, while others may easily hit the 80 hours a week as noted above.
How Much Do You Make as a Medical Resident?
The specialty that you have chosen to pursue, your geographic region, and your experience level will all influence your earning potential as an intern.
With this in mind, the average yearly salary for first-year interns in 2020 sat around $57,100 and increased to around $68,500 for sixth- to eighth-year interns. Additional compensation, from health insurance to paid time off, is also offered to medical residents.
What Are Your Responsibilities as a Medical Resident?
Your responsibilities as a resident will reflect and revolve around your specialization. In general, though, you will be responsible for basic core tasks such as assessing patients through physical examinations and diagnostic procedures, attending patient rounds, and more.
In addition, you will slowly be responsible for tasks appropriate to your specialty that require higher and higher levels of skills and knowledge, including prescribing patient treatment and care, providing education to patients and their families, and, in some specialties, even assisting in surgical procedures and responding to emergencies.
How to Prepare for Your Medical Residency
Get the Right Supplies: From researching and mastering your tech and tools before you hit the floor to finding the best scrubs for men and women in residency.
Picking the proper medical gear and having it accessible is essential to your performance, how people perceive you and how you feel.
Establish a Support System: Whether it be the people who help you escape when your career consumes you, or other past and present interns who know exactly what you are going through.
It is important to combat loneliness, prevent burnout and maintain a healthy mind by embracing support systems.
Prepare Emotionally: Witnessing negative or ineffective outcomes can have a major impact on new residents. Combined with stressors from every other angle.
First-year residents can find themselves facing serious mental health challenges if they haven’t taken the time to prepare emotionally and equip themselves with the proper support systems and community.
Value Your Time Off: As a resident, you do receive vacation days — most residents are just hesitant to use them in fear of missing something. It is important that when you get time off.
Whether it be regularly scheduled or spontaneously so, that not only do you take it but that you ensure you are actually taking a proper break from your training!
Get Comfortable with Being Wrong: If you haven’t learned it already from medical school, your medical residency will be the time to get comfortable with being wrong, accepting feedback, and asking for help. You will not always know what to do — and that is not only okay but expected!
Welcome to Residency
Every medical resident and every residency program will vary in one way or another, but one aspect that remains the same across the board is that post-graduate training is a challenging time.
You will progress quickly, and as you progress, you will be given more responsibilities and more independence that will lead you into these tasks confidently and at a manageable rate.
Conclusion:
As a medical resident, you are embarking on a challenging yet rewarding journey in your medical career. It is important to have a clear understanding of what to expect during this phase of your training. By preparing yourself mentally and emotionally, seeking support from colleagues and mentors, embracing a growth mindset, prioritizing self-care, and being open to learning opportunities, you can navigate the challenges of residency while maximizing your learning and personal development.
FAQs on What to Expect as a Medical Resident:
What is the duration of medical residency?
The duration of medical residency varies depending on the specialty. Generally, residencies range from three to seven years. Specialized fields, such as neurosurgery or cardiothoracic surgery, may have longer training periods.
How are medical residents supervised?
Medical residents are supervised by attending physicians who are experienced in their respective specialties. These attendings provide guidance, oversee patient care, and evaluate the progress and performance of residents. Senior residents and fellows may also play a role in supervising junior residents.
What are the typical work hours for medical residents?
Medical residency is known for demanding work hours. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has implemented regulations to ensure resident well-being, limiting continuous work hours and mandating adequate rest periods. However, the specific work hours can still vary depending on the program and specialty.
What are the main responsibilities of medical residents?
Medical residents have a range of responsibilities, including patient care, attending rounds and conferences, performing procedures, documenting patient information, collaborating with the healthcare team, and participating in educational activities. They also have a role in teaching medical students.
How can I balance the demands of residency with personal well-being?
Balancing residency and personal well-being is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. Prioritize self-care by setting boundaries, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking support from colleagues and loved ones, and utilizing available resources such as counseling services or wellness programs provided by the residency program.