Resident Physicians: Members of Your Care Team

Graduate Medical Education, or GME, is the phase of a physician’s training that takes place
after medical school. During this time, doctors, called residents, receive advanced training
in a specific specialty such as internal medicine, surgery, or obstetrics and gynecology.
Residents are physicians who care for patients under the close supervision of experienced
attending physicians.

Resident physicians have completed medical school, earned a medical degree, and are doctors completing advanced specialty training. They are an essential part of your care team and are present in the hospital around the clock.

The length of residency training depends on the physician’s specialty. Most residency programs last between three and seven years. During this time, resident physicians gain increasing levels of experience and responsibility each year. Senior or upper-level residents have completed more years of training and have greater clinical experience than first-year residents.

When you are cared for by a resident team, you benefit from team-based care. This typically includes a resident physician who sees you daily and responds to changes in your condition; a senior or upper-level resident with additional experience; and an attending physician, who is a fully trained specialist who has completed all required medical training, supervises resident physicians, and makes final medical decisions. The team also includes nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. 

Your care plan is discussed collaboratively, ensuring multiple levels of expertise are involved in every decision.

Residents often round together at your bedside as a team. This team typically includes a first-year resident, a senior or upper-level resident, and an attending physician. Bedside team rounding allows your doctors to review your care plan together, discuss your progress, answer your questions, and ensure that everyone involved in your care is aligned. This approach supports clear communication, careful decision-making, and high-quality care.

Your attending physician is always responsible for your care. Residents evaluate you, communicate with you and your family, write notes and orders, and coordinate care. All care decisions are reviewed and supervised by the attending physician to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality.

Patients cared for by resident teams often experience more frequent bedside evaluations, faster response to changes in condition, and thorough communication among team members. Care is grounded in the latest medical knowledge and evidence-based practices. Teaching hospitals, such as Valley, are known for delivering high-quality, comprehensive care through teamwork and continuous learning.

Yes. Residents are present in the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing continuity and immediate attention, while always working under an attending physician’s supervision.

No. Not all physicians work with residents. Some physicians practice independently or in settings where resident physicians are not involved in patient care.

Absolutely. You are encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and request clarification at any time. You may speak with any member of your care team, together or separately, including resident physicians or your supervising attending physician, whenever you wish.

No. Resident involvement enhances care quality. 

Teaching hospitals follow strict national standards for supervision, patient safety, and quality. Your care is continuously reviewed by experienced physicians and a multidisciplinary team.