Residency is a defining period in a physician's life because it is the decisive stage for personal growth, intellectual challenge and emotional stress. It is a major transitional period transforming a medical student into a practice-ready physician. This role-change for the physician-in-training usually takes place in a new setting and necessitates coping with conflicting demands, heavy responsibility and long work hours. Adding to the residents' burden is the ongoing need to manage their financial, social and work demands. This manual was designed to help medical students on this final critical segment of their journey to become practicing physicians. It will enhance the students' awareness of the potential obstacles along the way and provide them with guidance on how to avoid them. The book includes: selecting an appropriate specialty, maximizing the chances of being selected, surviving residency and beginning practice.
