After completing residency, a physician is typically called a fellow if they pursue additional specialized training, or an attending physician (known as a consultant in Commonwealth countries) if they have fully completed their medical training in a particular field.
Navigating Post-Residency Titles in Medicine
After the intensive period of medical residency, physicians transition into new roles, often acquiring new professional titles that reflect their next stage of training or independent practice. The specific title depends on whether they opt for further specialization or begin independent practice.
The Role of a Fellow
- Fellow: A physician who has completed residency but chooses to pursue additional, highly specialized training in a sub-field is known as a fellow. This additional training is called a fellowship. During a fellowship, physicians gain deeper expertise in a specific area of medicine, often focusing on advanced procedures, research, or highly complex patient cases.
Becoming an Attending Physician or Consultant
- Attending Physician: Once a physician has fully completed their training in a particular medical field, including residency and any subsequent fellowships, they are referred to as an attending physician. Attendings are fully licensed and certified medical doctors who oversee patient care, supervise residents and medical students, and make independent medical decisions. They are the primary caregivers for patients within their specialty.
- Consultant: In Commonwealth countries, the equivalent title for an attending physician is a consultant. This role carries the same responsibilities, indicating a physician who has completed all necessary training and is recognized as an expert in their specialized field, capable of independent practice and supervision.
Summary Table of Post-Residency Titles
| Post-Residency Path | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Further Specialized Training | Fellow | Physician pursuing advanced training in a specific sub-field (e.g., Cardiology Fellow). |
| Fully Completed Training | Attending Physician | Physician with full training completed, practicing independently (common in the U.S.). |
| Fully Completed Training | Consultant (Commonwealth) | Physician with full training completed, practicing independently (common in Commonwealth countries). |
