This goes on for 3 - 7 years while the interest on your debt compounds. We are not protected from any abusive labor practices. Recently, I saw him after a 36 hour shift. He was barely coherent. He couldn't complete a single thought.
Residency is also the ultimate mind-fuck.
He meant that during the hours when the attendings are around, you are forced to assume a submissive role. When the next night rolls around, however, you are expected to stand tall on your own and make life and death decisions without the aid of your attending. I remember my residents at Duke. Those guys worked like dogs. One day at the VA, my senior resdient admitted ten really sick patients to the ward.