Celebrating the 15th Annual Resident Awareness Week!
From February 15th to 19th, residents across the country will be celebrating and participating in their 15th annual Resident Awareness Week (RAW). This week-long event aims to inform the public about who resident doctors are and what their role is in the healthcare system. With 1300 resident doctors training in British Columbia this year, and that number continuing to grow as programs expand into new training sites, it is more important than ever that the public understands the role these doctors play in their medical care.
Residents are doctors who are engaged in supervised training prior to independent practice. They have completed their medical degree and must now complete intensive practical training in in a medical specialty before they can open their own practice. Residency programs can take anywhere from two to five years to complete, and some may continue training up to seven years to further specialize.
The term “resident” came about because originally residents would live in the hospitals – although this is no longer a requirement of their training, residents do spend a vast amount of time at the hospital; residents are frontline healthcare workers who are often the first point of contact for patients. In addition to a regular workweek, they also do call shifts, teach medical students, conduct research, and study.
Residents are hard working, passionate, and ambitious about the future of our healthcare system. By supporting residents and acknowledging the work they do, they are better equipped to support their patients.