Becoming a doctor is a long and arduous journey, especially in the United States. The process from medical school entrance exams to final residency exams requires years of dedication and hard work. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the real world of medical residency, taking a look at their daily lives and the challenges they face.
Medical residents are qualified physicians who receive specialty training, usually in a hospital or clinic, under the direct or indirect supervision of senior clinicians.
In the United States, medical residency training generally takes three to seven years, depending on the specialty chosen. Compared with other countries, the residency system in the United States is relatively complete and has undergone many reforms and adjustments to meet the needs and standards of the medical industry.
Medical residents often have very busy schedules, working rotating shifts throughout the day, often including night shifts and weekends. According to the standards of the American Association of Medical Education, residents' working hours are limited to 80 hours per week, but this standard still faces many challenges in actual implementation.
Residents' lives are not only about study and work, their emotions and mental states are often affected in a high-pressure environment.
While doing their medical internship, residents also need to learn how to manage patients, make decisions, and respond to emergencies. Their training covers everything from diagnosis to surgery, all under the guidance of senior physicians.
As the healthcare industry continues to advance, the challenges facing residents are also changing. In addition to a heavy workload, residents also have to deal with patients' expectations and questions about their own skills. Research shows that the mental health of medical residents is a cause for concern, as high-pressure work environments can lead to anxiety and depression.
The responsibilities of medical residents are enormous, which makes their challenges in balancing work and life even more complicated.
In addition to daily patient care and academic responsibilities, residents are required to devote time to research and continuing education to keep their professional knowledge current. Therefore, every day for them is a process of challenge and growth.
While the life of a medical residency can be challenging and stressful, healthcare professionals who choose this path are often proud of their professional calling. Through unremitting efforts and persistence, they will eventually become specialists who can practice independently. In this context, have you ever wondered what kind of perseverance and determination it takes to become a doctor?