When you go to a hospital, that is, a hospital or a clinic, sometimes the first doctor to see you is a young, very enthusiastic doctor, right? He asks you a lot of questions about your illness, examines you thoroughly, and then comes back to you a little later with a more experienced, senior doctor. You may have thought, "Who is this doctor? Is he still studying?" Those are the people we call 'resident doctors ' . So, let's learn more about this today.
Who is this 'resident doctor'?
Simply put, a 'doctor in training' is someone who has graduated from medical school and completed their qualifications as a doctor. However, they are a doctor who is in the process of gaining more in-depth knowledge and practical training in a specialized medical field of their choice. Strictly speaking, these people are already doctors. We call this training period 'residency' .
This training period can usually last from three to seven years, depending on the area of specialization they choose. During this time, they receive this training while working in hospitals or medical centers.
You may have heard the term 'Intern'. This refers to doctors who are in their first year of residency training. They are the most junior members of the team.
What exactly do these doctors do?
Trainee doctors work directly with patients. This means they are involved in everything from diagnosing, managing, and treating your medical conditions. But the most important thing you must remember here is that they do all of this under the direct supervision of a senior, experienced specialist.
Over time, as they gain experience, the amount of responsibilities assigned to them increases. Initially, they are entrusted with simple tasks, and as their training progresses, they are involved in more complex medical tasks.
They work in various units of the hospital. For example:
- Intensive Care Units (ICU)
- Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)
- Operating Rooms
- General Patient Wards
- Outpatient departments and clinics
Some of their main functions
Under their supervising physicians, trainee doctors are trained to do the following:
| Task | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Prescribing and interpreting diagnostic tests | Ordering the necessary blood tests, X-rays, etc., and understanding the reports. |
| Patient screening | Examine your body and study the symptoms carefully. |
| Performing medical procedures | Minor medical procedures performed under supervision, such as suturing a wound or inserting a cannula. |
| Recording patient history | Listen to and record the full details of your illness from the day it began. |
If you've ever been on a hospital ward, you've probably heard of the 'ward round'. It's when a team of doctors come and check on each patient. These trainee doctors play a key role in the ward round. They meet with senior doctors to discuss your condition, the progress of your treatment and any changes that need to be made.
What are the specific areas they are trained in?
There are many different areas of specialization in medicine. Trained doctors choose one area of their choice and receive in-depth training in that area. Some of the main areas are:
- Anesthesiology: Relating to the anesthesia (numbing) of patients before surgery.
- Obstetrics/Gynecology: Relating to women's health, pregnancy, and childbirth.
- Pediatrics: Relating to diseases of infants and children.
- Radiology: Related to the analysis of things like X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, etc.
- Surgery: Relating to performing surgery.
- Internal Medicine: Concerned with internal diseases of adults (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease).
What are the benefits of receiving treatment from a practicing doctor?
Some people may be a little scared and hesitant when they see a doctor who is in training. They may think, "Oh, this guy doesn't have the experience he needs." But there are actually several benefits to receiving treatment from a doctor who is in training.
1. More attention and time: Junior doctors generally have a little more time to devote to a patient than senior doctors. Therefore, they listen carefully to what you have to say and answer your questions carefully.
2. Get a second opinion automatically: Even if you are treated by a trainee doctor, every decision he or she makes and every test he or she performs is overseen by a senior doctor. This means that your medical condition is being monitored by at least two doctors . This is a great safety net and an advantage.
3. Latest knowledge: Since these doctors are fresh out of medical school, their knowledge is very fresh. They have learned about the latest medical techniques, the latest research, and the latest treatments. Therefore, you will receive very up-to-date medical service.
4. Speeding up treatment: Because they work as part of a team, they can help expedite some procedures and tests. This can potentially save you from having to visit the hospital multiple times.
So the next time you meet a doctor practicing in a hospital, approach them with a clear understanding and trust. Explain your condition, ask questions. They are there to help you, to improve their knowledge and experience.
Take-Home Message
- A 'Resident Doctor' is a qualified doctor who has graduated from medical school and is currently undergoing specialist training.
- They always work under the supervision of a senior, specialist doctor, so their work is very safe.
- Being treated by a practicing physician means that you will receive more attention and that several doctors will be examining your condition.
- Because they have the latest medical knowledge, the treatment you receive is very up-to-date.
- So, feel free to discuss your health concerns with them. They are there to help you.
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