Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Facts Regarding The International Medical Students And Young Physician Program

By Larry Howard


The United States has provided opportunities to foreign medical students and doctors for many years and continues to do so. Students can get clinical experience from the many hospitals across the country ahead of their graduation in their own countries. Many others are looking to move to the States permanently and start practising. There are a number of basics on the international medical students and young physician program one may wish to know.

When coming to the United States, there are a number of requirements that must be met. Some of them are general and happy to any immigrant or tourist while others are specific to medical personnel. It is important that one understands these requirements and meets them to avoid a rejection of their application. Some differences exist in the process for temporary students and physicians intending to move permanently.

An international medical graduates or IMG, who wishes to have clinical experience just for a limited period of time can do so by applying for what are referred to as observerships. As the name suggests, these are simply opportunities to learn the American system of health. The program lasts between 4 and 48 weeks and one may get exposure in one or more areas of clinical practice. If one has plans of undertaking residency in the country, such an experience is vital.

To be eligible for an observership position, one must be as graduate of a medical school. They must also be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Applications are usually made online to specific universities. Foreign graduates are encouraged to look for the various programs advertised by hospitals and the additional requirements.

Since the positions are usually very competitive, one should ensure that they write an application thanks convincing and should include details of their strengths. Most hospitals require that one fills an application form and submits it alongside a cover letter. The letter should specify what program (rotation) they are interested in and how long they would wish to be in the country. Copies of reference letters and curriculum vitae should also be availed.

The other requirements are more or less the same for any person who wants to come to the country. For instance, they must have a copy of immunization record indicating that the immunization against all the relevant conditions is up to date. Other important documents include a copy of passport and visa, passport photos and evidence of health insurance cover.

A physician who has graduated outside the United States can move to the country by applying for residency. This is the path to specialization for any American physician. To qualify for the team, one first needs to sit for a licensing examination known as the United States Medical Licensing Examination, USMLE. It is a multistep examination with some of it taken outside the States and other parts in the country.

The residency positions in American hospitals are extremely competitive. The competition is even stiffer for some disciplines such as surgery and psychiatry. IMGs are in direct competition with locally trained doctors. The latter understand the system better hence have an edge. An IMG may need to make applications to multiple hospitals to increase the chances of getting a spot.




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