Medical school is four years. After a person completes medical school– they take an exam and if they pass– they are then referred to as “Doctor” and then last name. After medical school they pick what type of residency program they want to do such as adult surgical, adult medical, pediatrics, etc. A doctor’s first year of residency is called their intern year but they are still referred to as Dr. such and such. After residency, they can further specialize into a discipline like cardiology, transplant surgery, etc and this would be referred to as their fellowship program.

But– after they pass the exam after medical school they are always “doctor” and then last name regardless of where they are at in their residency or fellowship program. We might further clarify among ourselves as medical people (he’s a first year resident or first year fellow) because this will give us an idea of how much training they have had.

If writing a book, though, as staff we usually call each other by first names. In front of families we’ll usually say “doctor”.

One thing I want to caution you on is that “small” hospitals typically don’t have these types of residency programs. Just larger hospitals and those associated with universities are the most likely so you may need to rethink your setting or rethink where the doctor is at in his training– maybe make him an attending. A small community hospital is not going to have this type of program.

**********************************************************************