What Are the Requirements for a Medical Residency?
In case you are interested in attending medical school but are not sure what a medical residency entails, this article might prove helpful. Read on to learn what you will need to do to begin a medical residency and the different steps that are required to complete this component of professional medical training.
Medical Residency Overview
<p>Completing a medical residency gives you the opportunity to study and practice medicine in a paid capacity under the supervision of licensed physicians. Your medical residency will occur after you've finished a 4-year medical school program, and many of the program requirements will depend on the specialty you choose. Residencies are available in obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, psychiatry, general surgery and anesthesiology, among other specialties.
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<p>During a residency, you will work long hours and deal with stressful situations. Many medical programs report that a residency period will be a mentally, emotionally and physically demanding time. Typically, the duration of your residency could range from 3-8 years.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMedicalResidency">Important Facts About Medical Residency</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Psychology, pharmacology, anatomy, medical ethics, biochemistry</td></tr>
<tr><td>Salary</td><td> Varies by school, residency program, and number of years in program</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> CME cycles and credits dependent on certification board and specialty</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Hospitalist (general and pediatrics internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics specialties), physician, surgeon</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $242,190 (<i>for all family and general practitioners</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 3% growth (<i>for all physicians and surgeons</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---AdmissionsRequirements">Admissions Requirements</h3>
<p>Most universities' schools of medicine require that students complete applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). You will also have to submit a personal statement, up to three letters of recommendation, transcripts from your medical school program and a record of your passing scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). An interview with the director of your desired residency program will also be required.
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<h3 id="section---AcademicRequirements">Academic Requirements</h3>
<p>Early on, residency programs may require you to complete didactic training courses. You may need to attend conferences, seminars, lectures and grand rounds wherein residents and faculty discuss diagnostic or ethical issues. Your program might also require you to complete a research project that contributes to the medical knowledge of your field.
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<h3 id="section---ClinicalRequirements">Clinical Requirements</h3>
<p>Hands-on training takes place during clinical rotations. The nature and length of your program's rotations will depend on your specialty, but all residencies will require you to rotate through various departments of a university-affiliated hospital. In addition to learning how to appropriately interact with patients and hospital staff, you might perform a surgical operation, conduct a psychiatric intake interview, perform a physical examination or provide care for infants who are in critical condition.</p>