Attending vs. Fellow — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Attending physicians are fully licensed and lead medical teams in hospitals, while fellows are physicians in subspecialty training after residency.
Difference Between Attending and Fellow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An attending physician represents the pinnacle of medical hierarchy in hospital settings, having completed all necessary training, including medical school, residency, and often fellowships. On the other hand, a fellow is still in training, typically having finished residency but focusing on a specific subspecialty within their field, such as cardiology or oncology.
Attending physicians have full responsibility for patient care and make final decisions regarding patient treatment plans. Whereas fellows, although they may also care for patients, do so under the supervision of attending physicians, especially in complex cases or specialized treatments.
The role of an attending physician is crucial in the mentoring of residents and fellows, providing guidance based on extensive experience. Meanwhile, fellows are often in a dual role, learning from attendings while also contributing to the education of residents and possibly medical students.
Attendings are typically employed by a hospital or health system and have various administrative duties and responsibilities, including leadership within their department. Conversely, fellows are generally still considered trainees and may receive stipends similar to residents, without the full benefits or status of fully employed attending physicians.
In terms of scope, attending physicians can practice independently in any healthcare setting, including private practice, hospitals, or clinics. On the other hand, fellows are confined to the academic or hospital setting that sponsors their fellowship program, focusing exclusively on their subspecialty.
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Comparison Chart
Training Completion
Completed all required training
Completed residency, in fellowship
Supervisory Role
Supervises fellows, residents, students
Supervised by attending physicians
Decision-Making Authority
Full authority in patient care
Limited, requires attending oversight
Employment Status
Full employee of healthcare facilities
Trainee status with stipend
Scope of Practice
Broad, can work independently
Focused on subspecialty, more limited
Compare with Definitions
Attending
Holds final responsibility in clinical settings.
The attending decided on the course of treatment for the critical patient.
Fellow
Often found in academic or hospital settings.
The fellow attended the university-sponsored seminar.
Attending
Can work in various healthcare environments.
The attending works both at the hospital and in private practice.
Fellow
A doctor undergoing specialized training after residency.
The cardiology fellow observed the complex procedure.
Attending
Often involved in medical education roles.
The attending provided a lecture on patient safety today.
Fellow
Combines patient care with advanced study.
The fellow published her research on pediatric oncology.
Attending
A senior doctor responsible for patient care and team leadership.
Dr. Smith, an attending physician, oversaw the emergency department.
Fellow
May participate in teaching while learning.
The fellow assisted in teaching residents about advanced imaging techniques.
Attending
Fully licensed and independent in medical practice.
As an attending, she performs surgeries without supervision.
Fellow
Still under supervision, focusing on a subspecialty.
As a fellow, he regularly consults with attending physicians.
Attending
Being the principal physician supervising a patient's care.
Fellow
A fellow is a broad concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Attending
Being a physician on the regular medical staff of a hospital.
Fellow
A man or boy.
Attending
The principal physician supervising a patient's care.
Fellow
(Informal) A boyfriend.
Attending
A staff physician in a hospital.
Fellow
A comrade or associate.
Attending
That attend or attends; that is or are in attendance; attendant.
Fellow
A person of equal rank, position, or background; a peer.
Attending
Serving on the staff of a teaching hospital as a doctor.
Fellow
One of a pair; a mate
Found the lost shoe and its fellow.
Attending
(North America) A physician on the staff of a hospital, especially the principal one that supervises a patient's care.
Fellow
A member of a learned society or professional organization.
Attending
Present participle of attend
Fellow
A graduate student appointed to a position granting financial aid and providing for further study.
Attending
The process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
Fellow
A physician who enters a training program in a medical specialty after completing residency, usually in a hospital or academic setting.
Attending
The act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)
Fellow
An incorporated senior member of certain colleges and universities.
Attending
Being present at meeting or event
Fellow
A member of the governing body of certain colleges and universities.
Attending
Serving attendance on someone;
A ministering angel
The angels ministrant sang
The attending physician
Fellow
(Archaic) A man or boy held in low regard.
Fellow
Being of the same kind, group, occupation, society, or locality; having in common certain characteristics or interests
Fellow workers.
Fellow
A companion; a comrade.
Fellow
An animal which is a member of a breed or species, or a flock, herd, etc.
Fellow
An object which is associated with another object; especially, as part of a set.
Fellow
A person or thing comparable in characteristics with another person or thing; especially, as belonging to the same class or group.
My fellow Americans
Rebecca and her fellow workers are to go on strike.
Fellow
(chiefly in the negative) A person with abilities, achievements, skills, etc., equal to those of another person; a thing with characteristics, worth, etc., equal to those of another thing.
To be without fellow
To have no fellows
Fellow
One in the same condition, or situation of need, as another.
Fellow
Often in the form Fellow: academic senses.
Fellow
Originally, one of a group of academics who make up a college or similar educational institution; now, a senior member of a college or similar educational institution involved in teaching, research, and management of the institution.
Fellow
An honorary title bestowed by a college or university upon a distinguished person (often an alumna or alumnus).
Fellow
A (senior) member of a learned or professional society.
A Fellow of the Royal Society
Fellow
A scholar appointed to a fellowship, that is, a paid academic position held for a certain period which usually requires the scholar to conduct research.
Fellow
A physician undergoing a fellowship (supervised subspecialty medical training) after having completed a residency (specialty training program).
Fellow
(US) A member of a college or university who manages its business interests.
Fellow
(US) A senior researcher or technician in a corporation, especially one engaged in research and development.
Fellow
(informal) A male person; a bloke, a chap, a guy, a man; also, preceded by a modifying word, sometimes with a sense of mild reproach: used as a familiar term of address to a man.
My dear fellow
Old fellow
Fellow
(rare) Usually qualified by an adjective or used in the plural: an individual or person regardless of gender.
Fellow
An animal or object.
Fellow
(archaic)
Fellow
One of a pair of things suited to each other or used together; a counterpart, a mate.
Fellow
(Australian Aboriginal) fella
Fellow
(obsolete)
Fellow
A colleague or partner.
Fellow
A close companion or friend; also, a companion or friend whom one eats or drinks with.
Fellow
Followed by of: one who participates in an activity; a participant.
Fellow
A man without good breeding or of lower social status; a common or ignoble man; also, used as a polite term of address to such a person.
Fellow
A person's servant or slave.
Fellow
(derogatory) A worthless person; a churl, a knave; also, used as a term of address to a person regarded as such.
Fellow
Synonym of schoolmate
Fellow
A black man.
Fellow
(transitive)
Fellow
(archaic) To address (someone) as "fellow", especially in an insulting manner (see noun sense 10.6).
Fellow
To equal (someone or something); also, to cause or find someone or something to be equal to (some other person or thing).
Fellow
(obsolete)
Fellow
Followed by with: to associate or join with a person or thing in companionship or a partnership.
Fellow
A companion; a comrade; an associate; a partner; a sharer.
The fellows of his crime.
We are fellows still,Serving alike in sorrow.
That enormous engine was flanked by two fellows almost of equal magnitude.
Fellow
A man without good breeding or worth; an ignoble or mean man.
Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow.
Fellow
An equal in power, rank, character, etc.
It is impossible that ever RomeShould breed thy fellow.
Fellow
One of a pair, or of two things used together or suited to each other; a mate; the male.
When they be but heifers of one year, . . . they are let go to the fellow and breed.
This was my glove; here is the fellow of it.
Fellow
A person; an individual.
She seemed to be a good sort of fellow.
Fellow
In the English universities, a scholar who is appointed to a foundation called a fellowship, which gives a title to certain perquisites and privileges.
Fellow
In an American college or university, a member of the corporation which manages its business interests; also, a graduate appointed to a fellowship, who receives the income of the foundation.
Fellow
A member of a literary or scientific society; as, a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Were the great duke himself here, and would lift upMy head to fellow pomp amongst his nobles.
Fellow
To suit with; to pair with; to match.
Fellow
A boy or man;
That chap is your host
There's a fellow at the door
He's a likable cuss
Fellow
A person who is frequently in the company of another;
Drinking companions
Comrades in arms
Fellow
A person who is member of your class or profession;
The surgeon consulted his colleagues
He sent e-mail to his fellow hackers
Fellow
An informal form of address for a man;
Say, fellow, what are you doing?
Hey buster, what's up?
Fellow
A man who is the lover of a girl or young woman;
If I'd known he was her boyfriend I wouldn't have asked
Common Curiosities
What is required to become an attending physician?
To become an attending, doctors must complete medical school, residency, and often fellowship training.
How long does someone remain a fellow?
Fellowship lengths vary but typically range from one to three years, depending on the specialty.
Are fellows licensed to practice medicine?
Yes, fellows are fully licensed to practice medicine, but they operate under the supervision of attending physicians in their subspecialty area.
What are the key responsibilities of an attending physician?
Key responsibilities include patient care, decision-making, and supervising fellows, residents, and medical students.
How does the salary of a fellow compare to an attending physician?
Fellows generally receive a stipend similar to that of residents, which is significantly lower than the salaries of attending physicians.
Can a fellow make independent decisions in patient care?
Fellows can make some decisions but generally need the oversight of attending physicians for complex cases.
What does a fellow in medicine do?
A fellow is a doctor who is undergoing specialized training in a particular subspecialty after completing residency.
What is an attending physician?
An attending physician is a doctor who has completed all medical training and supervises other medical staff while providing patient care.
Can an attending physician work outside of a hospital?
Yes, attending physicians can work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, and clinics.
Who supervises a medical fellow?
Medical fellows are supervised by attending physicians within their subspecialty area.
What is the difference in employment status between fellows and attendings?
Attendings are employed fully by healthcare facilities, whereas fellows are considered trainees.
Do fellows have any teaching responsibilities?
Yes, fellows often help in teaching and mentoring residents and medical students, even as they receive advanced training themselves.
Do attending physicians have roles beyond patient care?
Yes, attending physicians often have administrative duties and take leadership roles within their departments.
Can an attending physician supervise a fellow in any medical specialty?
An attending physician supervises fellows in their own medical specialty or subspecialties.
Is a fellow considered a student or an employee?
Fellows are considered trainees and are more like students with stipends rather than traditional employees.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
