| Aspect | Graduate Medical Education | Medical Residency |
|---|
| Credentials | Medical degree (MD or DO), completion of medical school | Same as GME; MD or DO, after medical school |
| Work Environment | Teaching hospitals, academic institutions | Hospitals, clinics, teaching hospitals |
| Purpose | Training physicians post-medical school, preparing for specialization | Hands-on clinical training in a specialty |
| Duration | Varies (1-7 years depending on program) | Typically 3-7 years depending on specialty |
Graduate Medical Education (GME) refers to the postgraduate training physicians undergo after medical school, including residencies and fellowships. Medical Residency is a specific component of GME, focusing on specialized clinical training in a chosen medical field. Both involve similar credentials and work environments, but GME encompasses a broader range of postgraduate training programs.