2. Who is a Resident
Doctor?
A resident doctor, also known as a resident
physician, is a medical graduate who undergoes
specialized training in a specific medicine field after
completing medical school. These doctors receive
their degrees of Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor
of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). This is useful to
pursue further education. Along with it, they gain
practical experience in a specific area of medicine.
3. Residency training is an essential part of a
physician’s career path. It allows doctors to gain
hands-on experience in their chosen speciality
under the guidance and supervision of
experienced attending physicians. Residency
programs in the USA typically range from three to
seven years depending on the speciality.
ResidencyTraining
During their residency, doctors work in hospitals
or healthcare institutions, rotating through
different medical departments to gain exposure to
various specialities. The duration and content of
these rotations vary based on the specialty.
4. Roles and Responsibilitiesof Resident
Doctors
Resident doctors have diverse roles and responsibilities in the medical field. They are
responsible for patient care. It involves diagnosing and treating medical conditions,
performing tests and interpreting results, prescribing medications under the supervision of
attending physicians.
Residents in American University of Antigua also participate in patient rounds, discussing patient
cases with their team and developing treatment plans. With nurses, pharmacists, and other
healthcare professionals, they provide comprehensive care to patients. Additionally, resident
doctors are involved in medical research, attending conferences, and presenting their findings.
5. Supervisionand Gradual
Autonomy
Resident doctors work under the supervision of
attending physicians, who are experienced
specialists in their respective fields. These
attending physicians provide guidance,
mentorship, and oversight throughout training.
As residents gain experience and demonstrate
competence, they gradually assume more
responsibility and autonomy in patient care.
6. The medical field has a hierarchical structure;
resident doctors fall within this framework. Above
the residents, there are attending physicians who
oversee the residents’ work and provide feedback.
Senior residents, who have completed a significant
portion of their training, often act as mentors to
junior residents and medical students.
The Hierarchical
Structure