Can you practice medicine anywhere?
Hey, hey! Former 'Pegger here! First of all, the U of M DOES have a good Medicine program. One of it's profs is one of the LEADING pediatric endocrinologists specializing in both Type 1 (autoimmune) and Type 2 (insulin resistance) diabetes in children in Canada, with worldwide recognition I believe. I know she was part of a huge research study recently. U of M gets flack, but it IS a very good school. The beauty about Canada is that ALL of our universities are considered "equally good". Queens, McGill, and U of T are unofficially "Canada's Ivy League" but in all honesty, Canadian universities are set up as such that all give you the same standard of education. This differs from the US where some schools are "better" and more prestigious than others. In Canada, the idea is that all MDs will be equally well educated MDs no matter where you go. This seems to be unique to Canada, so no matter where you live, you can get equal educational opportunities. So YES, you can go anywhere as a Canadian trained doctor. Medicine is portable. That said, you will need to apply for licensing and regulation in the province you relocate to. If you move to the US, you usually don't need to write further exams, but check with the state you wish to work in. You will need to apply for a license there of course. As for outside North America, Canadian doctors are respected everywhere, but you may need to complete that country's exams and licensing paperwork to work there. Generally speaking, since Canadian doctors are trained to the highest standards in the world, I can't see you having any problems. Good luck!
Can foreigners become doctors in the USA?
i am not familliar with the system so I don't know. I was planning to attend medical school outside of the united states, then practice in usa. However, is this possible? I wouldn't have to re-enter medical school in the United States right?
Why is it so difficult for foreign doctors to practice in the USA when people with lower degrees find it easier to immigrate there?
There are no real standards of care for the practice of Medicine. The lowest rung of the bar may be that established by the World Health Organization for which every member country with organized Medicine is expected to meet. Among the countries with some of the most stringent professional standards for the practice of Medicine is the United States. Consequently, foreign trained medical graduates, with the exception of Canada, are expected to achieve these same standards that are met by graduates of US and Canadian medical schools.Towards this end, the US has established a curriculum by which the foreign medical graduate can obtain a license to practice Medicine in the US. These include passing TOEFL, ECFMG, USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3, and, finally, State Medical Board examinations. Even international clinical specialists are expected to pass these examinations as well as getting re-certified by their respective American Boards when reciprocity does not exist and most involve repeating residency training. (BTW, most foreign countries do not reciprocate with American specialty boards.)The question here should actually be: Should the US standards for medical practice be relaxed? The resources available to the US physicians in diagnosing and managing their patients are extensive and the US medical graduates in clinical practice are versed in them and understand their usefulness. Moreover, jurisprudence dictates that it would be medical malpractice if less than the current standard of diagnosis and treatment is performed. This would justify the requirement for the foreign medical graduate to achieve the same level of training, expertise and proficiency as the US (and Canadian) medical graduates.Perversely, in the non-physician world, viz., the recruitment of H-1B engineers, scientists, etc., with advanced degrees reflects the inferior production of STEM graduates from US colleges and universities. They are ready to work with minimal additional training, at the expected levels of the companies that had recruited them. There are few, if any, significant professional standards for them. Thus, the ease of immigration of these STEM individuals with lower degrees do not compare to the situation for foreign medical graduates.The AMA has little role in setting the immigration pathways imposed on the foreign medical graduate. These are set by the US government.
What is the process a doctor might use to become licensed?
Medical Licenses in the US are transferable between states, because they are given based on a nationally standardized exam. If the doctor is already licensed in Illinois, and is moving to New York, she just has to contact the state licensing department, transfer her license number, and pay any associated fees. There are no additional exams beyond the 3 STEPS of the USMLE, which all MDs complete during Med School and Residency, and the Board Exams, which are completed right after Residency and Fellowship. If the doctor is being hired by a hospital or group practice, often she just has to fill out paperwork with HR, and they will take care of the entire credentialing process on her behalf.
How can a foreign graduate become a doctor in Canada?
It varies greatly from province to province. If you’re a new graduate, Canada does have intern and residency spots for graduates of eligible schools. If you’re still in school, talk to your school’s placement officer to see what’s available. If you can get one of the coveted intern or resident spots, you should be able to get at least a work permit with no problem, and that’s a good path to permanent resident status.If you’ve been practicing, you can apply for open positions in a hospital setting. Forget about independent practice for a while, that’s very hard for someone just moving here, no matter how qualified (although clinic practice is possible).Open positions are usually in undesirable places with a shortage of medical personnel. Provinces like New Brunswick and Newfoundland actively recruit foreign trained physicians, and getting licensed to practice in those provinces is easier, although you will most likely get a limited license that only allows you to practice in areas with a designated need, generally smaller cities.However, if you’re looking at the holy grail of Ontario, that’s very tough. Ontario has enough doctors so they put everyone through the same process. You will have to fight for one of the residency spots available for foreign trained physicians, and they are always full. In addition, there is a standard medical examination. All the provinces have it, but the smaller provinces will waive it if they need you and you are willing to work someplace undesirable. In Ontario, it’s mandatory and you only get three shots. Once you pass that and do the Canadian residency, congratulations, you’re in.The main problem that doctors have in getting licensed in Canada has nothing to do with their medical knowledge. In a lot of cases, foreign trained physicians totally bomb out of residency programs because they treat patients badly. They’re dismissive and have no patience when a patient questions their advice. Canadian doctors used to be like that too, but they found it led to bad health outcomes because patients would go along at the doctor’s office so as not to make the doctor mad, then go home and not follow the doctor’s advice.But don’t give up. My second family doctor was from Jamaica and treated me from when I was five until I was 35 and moved out of the neighbourhood. He was funny, well respected, and took care of my parents and sister too.
How does a Nigerian doctor start a medical practice in Canada?
Basically, you can't, unless you are incredibly lucky to be accepted as a foreign medical grad into a residency training program. But first you would need to have your medical school approved. Without that, you would be starting from ground zero...medical school.The provincial regulatory colleges have been burned in the past by poor performers from non-Commonwealth countries, and they are extremely circumspect about FMGs.All in all, your chances at setting up a medical practice in Canada within fewer than five to ten years is essentially zero.
How can I become a doctor in the USA after an MBBS in India?
You'll have to challenge the USA license requirements. That includes taking USMLE (all three steps) and doing 3 years of US residency (for General practitioners).Go to Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) and search the world directory of medical school for the university you graduates from. If it's on the list then call the ECFMG and tell them you want to register for your UsMLE exams and go through the process.Study your butt off. Clear step 1 and 2 of the exams and apply to residency programs in the US. Hope they will sponsor your visa.Move to the US and start working. Residency is paid about 35 lakh INR (usd equivalent) and after 3 years at the salary your pay will double when you get licenses.