NO USA CLINICAL EXPERIENCE ?
Yeah - that could be a problem and that's why we are slowly sensing a new train of thought amongst IMGs - Here Goes : If you do not get into a residency of your choice - get into Family Practice - thus apply for FP as a backup when you apply for the match - in case you match into FP , work for a year and also participate in the next year's match. This way , the year-long residency experience converts to the golden "One-Year-US-Clinical-Experience" Label !
However, the way Insurance Companies in USA are changing policies on compensation, specialty training is slowly losing out on the salary advantage given the invesment in time and study required - and you may be just very happy with a Family Practice residency and options later :-) Pays are almost equalling those with Internal Medicine training.
Which automatically means that IMGs apply to Family Medicine Residencies as a 'backup' if they are not too sure to get elsewhere.
Fellowships after Family Practice ? Yes - You can do those in Obs-Gyn, Sports Medicine, Geriatric Medicine ( will be in great demand given the ageing USA population !) - shall list some more here soon :-)
So ....Have you decided your approach for 2007 yet ?
As your eyes fell on the picture above, you most probably imagined yourself as one of them ! Not bad to dream your dreams guys....it is even better start planning this dream well ahead in time and live that dream :-) . What I am trying to say : 'Finish steps early to have time later on for clinical research / observerships'
Google keywords to this blog:
- "FM residency position before the match"
- "Observership for IMG "USA"
Google keywords to this blog:
- "FM residency position before the match"
- "Observership for IMG "USA"
Questions for me ? Use my USMLE - Residency Forum
posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 1:17 PM
Comments on "NO USA CLINICAL EXPERIENCE ?"
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grad said ... (December 14, 2005 9:33 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (December 14, 2005 1:41 PM) :
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grad said ... (December 14, 2005 4:28 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (December 14, 2005 4:38 PM) :
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grad said ... (December 14, 2005 5:17 PM) :
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Docgit said ... (December 17, 2005 9:17 AM) :
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Pragya said ... (January 29, 2007 9:47 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (January 29, 2007 11:19 AM) :
post a commentUSMLE step1 and 2 scores are required for getting into Family practice to gain US clinical experience prior to getting into the residency program of my choice?
Thanks!
Getting into FP and then trying for a residency of your choice is NOT a suggested route - it is merely a backup plan for IMGs - so that they are in a better position for the next match armed with US clinical experience. yes - you will need to get into FP thru a formal Match !
I an going to finish from school next summer (research), I will stop basic reseach work forever.Do you think MS or Ph.D from a US university can be helpful in getting in any residency program?
But I think it is going to take a year for me to take the USMLE step1 and 2 and CSA. I do not have visa problem. Do you have any suggestions what i can do for work before i get in any residency program through formal match?
Thanks a lot!
Start with Steps preparation right away - If you are an old-grad, try to make up for the lack of clinical experience thru voluntary observerships / externships while you study for your Steps - it is advisable to first finish off Step 2 CS, since results come pretty late and you need a buffer time in case you fail (god forbid). Voluntary clinical research at a hospital affiliated to your current Univ. will help too!
Master's and PhD may help in some University programs with ongoing research interests in the field you did your MS/PhD in. Also read about the brief talk I once had with a program director at http://theUSMLEdigest.blogspot.com
good luck
How to get an externships? just voluntary, I will be allowed to do it? Can i do it without any USMLE score ready? I graduated ten years ago from medical university, and left clinical work of OB 7 years ago.
If i aim to get in Radiology or neurology ( although i never worked in these departments), which department i should go to do the externship?
Thank you very much for your help!
If a medical graduate get score in both steps above 95% . Can he get residency
without USA clinical experience. I mean is it absolute necessay thing for getting
residency??
Not really - they are not absolutely necessary - but they help a big deal for getting into good University programs :-)
hi , you said that after getting fp, you can change to speciality of your choice in next match. is that so? no vissa obligation?like j1 and h1b , you cannot change speciality, and difficult to change hospital too.pls clarify
hi,would like some advice.i got 75 0n stepone and i'm reading hard for step 2 which is in 2 months..does observership have to be at a formal hospital,or is it also taken into account if it is done at a orivate GP's clinic..also,what pprerequistites are needed if i do indded get an obeserverhsip opportunity?
Hi, Scores come first - then the rest ! So while studying for your Step 2 , give it all you got.
You can have an Observership arranged in the interim and start it AFTER your step 2. Names matter - so an observership at a big place will certainly be better. But if you can land an actual hands-on experience like an externship or a medical assistant volunteer / job - that will be much better in my opinion.
hope this helps...
g/l
digidoc..can we do hands on experience withut ecfmg certification...and on h4 visa...is it allowed..or only observership is allowed....one more thing..wat are those transitional yearand priminary program..and wat do they mean by internal medicine/psychiatry program..thnx
Hi ..thnx for stopping by. Yes - you can do that , yet the final decision rests on the hospital itself . All we know is that as long as you NOT Getting paid, it is legal to do an externship on H4 too.
Transitional / preliminary program is a one-year residency without committing to the specialty , where you are exposed to different rotations and then you can decide wut u wanna do . besides, u get an advantage of getting a one-year clinical experience label. This is common route to radiology, surgery, orthopedics and all those competetive residencies for IMGs
hi
i am a little surprised on seeing this blog-that it is almost a premeditatated action on many IMG's part to first get into Family med then try again. so i feel a little guilty in writing this comment.
my main thrust was IM, i had used FM as a backup, and have matched into FM unfortunately.I was thinking of trying aagain for the Match this yr, for IM after starting my residency in fp(plz beleive me my action wasnt premeditated at all, in fact i was shocked to see i hadnt matched in IM!).
My main ques, there are pros and cons of being in my situation-of trying to change specialties. in fact, few have even warned me of doing such a thing, i might invoke the wrath of my PD.According to u, which outweigh the other, pros or cons? would it be a sensible/advisable thing to do?
Hi ...I did not mean most IMGs do a 'premeditated" FP , they rather use it as a backup and chance upon it ,just like in your case...but there are some who really wanna do FP...
Many people DO change the specialty, in fact this year, I know a gal who changed from FP to IM after 2 years in FP ! It surely is a matter of diplomacy though and a matter of what you wanna specialize in later.
Another option is to arrange for dual certification in FP AND IM within the same program - this takes 4 years (same as u would take AFTER changing specialty) AND keeps the FP director happy too..
check out : https://www.abim.org/cert/comfp.shtm
Hi
I got 81 in srep2 this year, now I am studying for step 1. it comes to my mind to do an externship, but I found that it may be only allowed for those who are ECFMG certified. could you help me in finding some hospitals who may allow non ECFMG certified for an externship. Regarding visa I am allowed to get B1/B2 Visiting visa .
With my all regards
You will need to contact the places via phone / email and find out first-hand - thats most reliable. Do look up the list of places offering observerships on this blog..(links on the right side-bar)
qhi,can we do observership or clinical experience under a us doctor with private practice.if yes than do we need to be ecfmg certified.
Requirements vary - the doc should be telling you what his specific needs are ...
I heard that you can specialise in OB/GYN after FP residency.How is that different from doing an OB/GYN residency?
Also,is that possible to do a dermatology fellowship after FP?
hi there, you are doing some fantastic work on this site of yours...
i wanted to know if observing a private practitioner will hold any credit, esp. if it can get one a good LOR..
Thanks for your help..
Hi Digidoc,
I'm applying to my 1st choice specialty in IM, and FM, as a "backup". I really want and prefer IM, but will settle for FM, if i dont get into IM. After doing one yr in FM, would it be possible to re-apply and switch to IM, in the following match? and do you know if IM accepts one yr in FM? thx...
changing specialties may not always be easy and needs some diplomacy . often it may be easier to switch to IM within the same program after you have built contacts with the IM guys there and not hurt ur FP fellas, rather convince them slowly how Fp is not for u - shall be writing a anohter post on this one..thnx
hi digidoc...
i hv a 97 n 98 in steps 1 &2 respectively.am preparing fr CS in march n plannin to take step 3 too...shd i concentrate on my step 3 or shd i try fr US clinical exp.am in New Jersey.
my vote would be clinical experience - and start Step 3 prep on the sidelines, try to take it before October (before interview season)