| Aspect | Medical Residency | Medical Internship |
|---|
| Credentials | Medical degree (MD or DO), license to practice medicine | Medical degree (MD or DO), completion of medical school |
| Work Environment | Specialized hospital departments, clinics | General hospital wards, outpatient clinics |
| Purpose | Advanced training in a specialty | Initial hands-on clinical experience |
| Duration | 3-7 years depending on specialty | Typically 1 year |
Medical residency is a postgraduate training program where doctors specialize in a medical field, while medical internship is the initial clinical experience after medical school. Residency involves advanced, specialized training, whereas internship provides foundational clinical practice. Both are essential steps in becoming a licensed practicing physician.