Fellowship vs. Residency — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
Fellowship involves advanced training in a specialized area of medicine after residency, focusing on a specific subfield, whereas residency is broader, foundational medical training required after medical school.
Difference Between Fellowship and Residency
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fellowship programs provide specialized training in a specific area of medical practice, such as cardiology or oncology, after a physician has completed their residency. Whereas residency programs serve as the initial postgraduate training period that all physicians must undergo after finishing medical school, encompassing a broad spectrum of medical basics across various fields.
Fellowships are typically pursued by those who wish to become highly specialized in a narrow field of medicine, offering a deeper understanding and higher level of expertise in that area. On the other hand, residencies provide comprehensive training that prepares new doctors to practice independently, covering fundamental skills and knowledge across a wide range of medical specialties.
While fellowship training usually lasts for one to three years depending on the specialty, residency programs can vary significantly in length, generally lasting from three to seven years. This difference reflects the more intensive focus of fellowships as compared to the broader scope of residencies.
Fellows often engage in both clinical practice and research within their specialty, and they may also teach medical students and residents. Whereas residents are primarily learners, although they also carry significant responsibilities for patient care under the supervision of senior physicians.
Fellowships typically require applicants to have completed a residency and often necessitate passing additional board examinations specific to the specialty. In contrast, residency positions are open to graduates of medical schools who have passed their initial medical licensing examinations.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Provides specialized, advanced training in a subfield of medicine.
Offers broad, foundational medical training required to practice independently.
Duration
1-3 years, depending on the specialty.
3-7 years, depending on the specialty.
Requirements
Completion of residency, often specific board certifications.
Graduation from medical school, passing initial licensing exams.
Focus
Deep expertise in a narrow area.
Broad medical knowledge across various specialties.
Typical Activities
Clinical practice, research, teaching.
Patient care, learning, occasional teaching.
Compare with Definitions
Fellowship
A group of people sharing similar professional interests, especially in medicine.
The cardiology fellowship meets monthly to discuss new research.
Residency
The status of being a resident in a hospital’s training program.
He is a second-year resident in the surgery department.
Fellowship
A period of medical training where a physician gains further expertise.
His fellowship in cardiology allowed him to specialize in heart disorders.
Residency
Required postgraduate training for physicians that provides broad medical education.
She started her residency in internal medicine this year.
Fellowship
The status of being a fellow in a medical society or institution.
She achieved fellowship status after years of dedicated research and clinical excellence.
Residency
A period where a new doctor gains hands-on experience under supervision.
His residency involved rotating through various specialties.
Fellowship
Advanced medical training in a specialized area after completing residency.
After her residency, she pursued a fellowship in pediatric oncology.
Residency
A training program in a hospital or clinic that prepares physicians to practice independently.
The hospital offers a residency in family medicine.
Fellowship
An educational grant or position at a university in a medical field.
He received a fellowship to study rare genetic disorders.
Residency
The community or environment of residents in a specific medical program.
The residency program fosters a close-knit community among its trainees.
Fellowship
The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms
A voracious reader who found fellowship in a book club.
Residency
The position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship)
Fellowship
Friendship; comradeship
A strong fellowship developed among them.
Residency
The fact of living in a place
A government ruling confirmed the returning refugees' right to residency
Fellowship
A close association of friends or equals sharing similar interests
A fellowship of photographers.
Residency
The official residence of the Governor General's representative or other government agent, especially at the court of an Indian state.
Fellowship
The financial grant made to a fellow in a college or university.
Residency
An organization of intelligence agents in a foreign country
He made contact with the KGB residency in Aden
Fellowship
The status or position of one who is awarded such a grant.
Residency
A musician's regular engagement at a club or other venue
He saw me at a folk club where I was doing the residency one Sunday night
Fellowship
A company of people that share the same interest or aim.
Residency
A period of specialized medical training in a hospital; the position of a resident.
Fellowship
(dated) Company, companions; a group of people or things following another.
Residency
The position or term of a medical resident.
Fellowship
A feeling of friendship, relatedness or connection between people.
Residency
The house of a colonial resident.
Fellowship
(education) A merit-based scholarship.
Residency
The sphere of authority of a colonial resident.
Fellowship
(education) A temporary position at an academic institution with limited teaching duties and ample time for research.
Residency
Residence.
Fellowship
(medicine) A period of supervised, sub-specialty medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program or residency.
Residency
The condition of being a resident of a particular place.
Fellowship
The proportional division of profit and loss among partners.
Residency
The home or residence of a person, especially in the colonies.
Fellowship
(transitive) To admit to fellowship, enter into fellowship with; to make feel welcome by showing friendship or building a cordial relationship. Now only in religious use.
The Bishop's family fellowshipped the new converts.
The Society of Religious Snobs refused to fellowship the poor family.
Residency
The position or term of a medical resident.
Fellowship
To join in fellowship; to associate with.
The megachurch he attends is too big for making personal connections, so he also fellowships weekly in one of the church's small groups.
After she got married, she stopped fellowshipping with the singles in our church.
Residency
The position of a musical artist who commonly performs at a particular venue.
The trance DJ was keen to secure a residency in Ibiza.
Fellowship
The state or relation of being or associate.
Residency
(espionage) rezidentura
Fellowship
Companionship of persons on equal and friendly terms; frequent and familiar intercourse.
In a great town, friends are scattered, so that there is not that fellowship which is in less neighborhods.
Men are made for society and mutual fellowship.
Residency
Residence.
Fellowship
A state of being together; companionship; partnership; association; hence, confederation; joint interest.
The great contention of the sea and skiesParted our fellowship.
Fellowship in pain divides not smart
Fellowship in woe doth woe assuage
The goodliest fellowship of famous knights,Whereof this world holds record.
Residency
A political agency at a native court in British India, held by an officer styled the Resident; also, a Dutch commercial colony or province in the East Indies.
Fellowship
Those associated with one, as in a family, or a society; a company.
The sorrow of Noah with his fellowship.
With that a joyous fellowship issuedOf minstrels.
Residency
The act of dwelling in a place
Fellowship
A foundation for the maintenance, on certain conditions, of a scholar called a fellow, who usually resides at the university.
Fellowship
The rule for dividing profit and loss among partners; - called also partnership, company, and distributive proportion.
There's neither honesty, manhood, nor good fellowship in thee.
Fellowship
To acknowledge as of good standing, or in communion according to standards of faith and practice; to admit to Christian fellowship.
Fellowship
An association of people who share common beliefs or activities;
The message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family
The church welcomed new members into its fellowship
Fellowship
The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
Fellowship
Money granted (by a university or foundation or other agency) for advanced study or research
Common Curiosities
What is the main purpose of a fellowship?
A fellowship aims to provide specialized, advanced training in a particular area of medicine after residency.
Can you switch specialties during a fellowship?
Fellowships are highly specialized, so switching specialties is uncommon and would likely require starting a new program.
What are the typical activities during a residency?
Residents engage in patient care, medical procedures, and rotations across various medical departments to gain a broad education.
Is a fellowship required to practice medicine?
A fellowship is not required to practice medicine generally, but it is necessary for certain specialized roles within the medical field.
How long is a typical medical residency?
Medical residencies can range from three to seven years, depending on the specialty.
What kind of supervision do residents receive?
Residents work under the supervision of experienced physicians who guide and evaluate their progress.
What is required to apply for a residency?
Applicants need to have graduated from medical school and passed their initial licensing examinations.
What role do research and publication play in fellowships?
Research is a significant component of many fellowships, with fellows expected to conduct studies and publish their findings.
Who can apply for a fellowship?
Physicians who have completed their residency and meet any additional specific requirements, such as board certifications, can apply for fellowships.
What is the difference in focus between a fellowship and a residency?
Fellowships focus on gaining deep expertise in a specific area, while residencies provide a broad base of medical knowledge and skills.
Are fellowships paid positions?
Yes, fellowships are paid positions, although the stipend may vary widely depending on the medical specialty and institution.
What are the professional outcomes after completing a fellowship?
Completing a fellowship usually leads to higher qualifications and opportunities in specialized medical fields.
Do residents have teaching responsibilities?
Although primarily learners, residents occasionally teach medical students or other residents, especially in later years of their program.
How competitive are fellowship programs?
Fellowship programs are typically very competitive, requiring excellent credentials and often contributions to research.
Can a fellowship lead to permanent employment?
While a fellowship itself is temporary, it can enhance job prospects and lead to permanent positions in specialized fields of medicine.
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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.
