Essential terms landlords need to know.

September 25, 2025

👋 Hello Landlords!

Once your property goes live on MedsHousing.com, you'll likely hear from medical learners and healthcare providers at many different stages of clinical training.
From first-year medical students to specialty fellows, from nursing learners to physician assistants, the terminology can feel confusing — but don't worry, this guide has you covered!

Knowing these terms helps you:
✔ Communicate clearly
✔ Understand their schedules
✔ Provide better support
✔ Make your listing more appealing

🧠 Key Terms Every Landlord Should Know

👩‍⚕️ Medical Learner

A broad term for anyone engaged in medical education.
You might see labels like:

  • M1, M2, M3, M4 (medical school years)

  • PGY1-7 (Post-Graduate Year 1-7)

  • Clerk, Resident, Fellow
    This is the most common umbrella term you'll encounter.

👩‍⚕️ Medical Education Pathway

Understanding the journey helps you understand their needs.

🎓 Medical Student (M1-M4)

  • M1-M2: Classroom, foundational sciences

  • M3-M4: Clinical clerkship in hospitals/clinics

  • M4: Applies for residency through CaRMS/National Match
    Students often travel for away rotations and short-term housing.

🩺 Resident (PGY1-7)

After medical school comes residency — a full-time, paid, extremely intensive training program.

  • Works 60-80 hours per week

  • Trains in specialties like Family Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine

  • Duration: 2-7 years

  • Requires certification exams at completion

Residents appreciate quiet, reliable housing and flexible arrangements due to long shifts.

🫀 Clinical or Research Fellow

After residency, some physicians pursue sub-specialty training:

  • Cardiology

  • Oncology

  • Pediatric surgery

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
    Fellowships last 1-3 years and involve highly specialized, demanding schedules.

🧑‍⚕️ Other Healthcare Learners & Providers on MedsHousing

👩‍⚕️ Physician Assistant (PA)

PAs are licensed providers who can:

  • Diagnose

  • Treat

  • Perform procedures

  • Prescribe (in many provinces)
    They work closely with supervising physicians.

👩‍⚕️ Registered Nurse (RN)

RNs complete accredited nursing programs and pass licensing exams.
They provide essential patient care, assessments, and education, often working long shifts.

👩‍⚕️‍🩺 Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Advanced practice nurses who can:

  • Diagnose

  • Prescribe

  • Treat

  • Provide primary care
    NPs are often on clinical placements or upgrading training.

🤱 Midwife

Midwives specialize in:

  • Prenatal care

  • Labour and delivery

  • Postpartum care
    They may travel widely for rural and clinical placements.

🦷 Dental Learners (optional to include; often use MedsHousing)

Includes:

  • Dental students

  • Dental residents

  • Oral surgery trainees

🧪 Allied Health Learners

Many also use MedsHousing for rotations, including:

  • Physiotherapy students

  • Occupational therapy students

  • Respiratory therapy students

  • Medical laboratory science trainees

  • Paramedic students

  • Pharmacy students and pharmacy residents

These learners often require short-term furnished rentals.

🩻 Key Training Terms You'll Hear

🔄 Rotation

A clinical placement in a specific department (ER, obstetrics, surgery, etc.).
Typically lasts 2-8 weeks.

📅 Block

A scheduled period used in medical schools and residencies to organize training.
Similar to a "term" or "unit."

🧭 Elective

A rotation chosen by the learner — often in another city.
Electives create the highest demand for short-term housing.

💡 Why This Matters for Landlords

Understanding these terms helps you:

  • Respond quickly and accurately to inquiries

  • Highlight features learners value (quiet space, study area, proximity to hospitals)

  • Adjust rental periods to match rotation schedules

  • Build trust and professionalism

  • Attract more qualified healthcare tenants

✨ You are providing an essential service.
Your rental supports the next generation of healthcare professionals.

💬 Final Thoughts

The more you understand about the medical and healthcare training journey, the smoother your interactions with prospective tenants will be.
By offering a supportive, safe, clean, and comfortable home, you're not just a landlord — you're contributing directly to Canada's healthcare system.

Thank you for opening your doors to those working tirelessly to care for our communities. ❤️

 

Credit : International Royal College