Spanish medicine student looking for help!

[Spain is different]

Hello!!

Firstly, I have to say that I'm sorry for my English... I'm obviously a non native English speaker, but I'm trying to improve it.

This is my first post and I don't know if I'm writting in the correct place...

I'm going to tell you about me, a little. I'm a first year student of medicine in Spain (European Union) and, since I was a 'child' I've been thinking about going to work to the US. I'm lost and I don't know what to do.
I know it's very soon but I need information....

Questions...

1- I don't know what to do.. the residency in Spain or in the US? If I do the residency in the US will it be possible to work in Spain and vice versa?
2- Are there many Spanish doctors in the US? and Spanish residents?
Are Spanish doctors 'prestigious' in the USA?
3- In the future I would like to become anesthesiologist or cardiologist. Are these specialties very difficult?
4- If I gain entry to a residency (anesthesiology or cardiology) is it good paid? Is it possible to live whit a salary of a resident?
5- What do you think about the Spanish public health system?

I would be very grateful If you answer to my questions.
Thank You very much!

[Scottish Chap]

Your English is just fine.

1. Post-graduate training in Spain will not be recognized in the U.S. I'm not sure about the opposite situation. If you want to practice in the U.S, I would recommend coming here as soon as you graduate in Spain.
2. Not sure.
3. Both of those fields are considered competitive - even for graduates from U.S. medical schools. However, study hard for the USMLE exams and you can make it work.
4. Too difficult to answer. "Good pay" is a subjective term. You will not be poor, and it's definitely possible to live on a resident's salary. As a Spanish medical school graduate, you will not have the debt burden that faces most U.S. medical school graduates.
5. Sorry, don't know anything about it.

[gradmed]

I have nothing further to add to scotdoc, but as an encouragement, I would speculate that being a Spanish (and English) speaker would be an advantage in many areas of the US, and might help you obtain residency posts in some hospitals.

[Spain is different]

Thank you Scottish Chap and Gradmed!!!

I have more questions to do

1- Since I will have to do the specialty in the US but it's very difficult for foreign applicants... wouldn't it be better to do the specialty here, in Spain, and then repeat it again in the US? For instance, If I am a recent graduated anesthesiologist... USMLE and those exams (and the residence period) would be very easy to me, or not?

2- If I am already an anesthesiologist and I repeat the residence in the US, will I have more responsibilities than the other residents?

3- Gradmed: Do you really think that the knowledge of languages helps to find a hospital to do the residence?

[Scottish Chap]

Thank you Scottish Chap and Gradmed!!!

I have more questions to do

1- Since I will have to do the specialty in the US but it's very difficult for foreign applicants... wouldn't it be better to do the specialty here, in Spain, and then repeat it again in the US? For instance, If I am a recent graduated anesthesiologist... USMLE and those exams (and the residence period) would be very easy to me, or not?

2- If I am already an anesthesiologist and I repeat the residence in the US, will I have more responsibilities than the other residents?

3- Gradmed: Do you really think that the knowledge of languages helps to find a hospital to do the residence?

1. Anything is possible but the USMLE step 1 covers very in-depth basic science with many minutia. The farther removed from that you are, the harder it will be to pass the exam. Many older FMGs taking this exam affirm this. On a similar note, Step 2 covers all of the medical specialties, and there's less chance you'll remember psychiatry, pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, medicine as well if you have been practicing only anesthesiology for years.

2. No, and this is the hardest part for fully-trained doctors - the intern year where the hierarchy must be respected and certain privileges are not given to junior doctors - in spite of their previous achievements. I see this in the the hospital affiliated with my med school all the time. Some of the fully-trained doctors just suck it up and adapt to the situation, while others whine perpetually about how much they are capable of back home. However, my own feeling is that the patients do benefit from junior doctors with this background - even if they are held back a little.

[gradmed]

on Question 3, I would not overstate it. I was just thinking that some areas have very big Spanish speaking populations, so ability to speak to these patients in their own language would be a plus that an English-speaking candidate would not have.

[Spain is different]

Thank you again!

Then, I'll pass the Step 1 in 6 years more or less; and the Step 2 in 7 years... But I don't understand the CSA.
1- Is the CSA easier if I am already an anesthesiologist, or not?

2- Is the TOEFL necessary to pass the Step 1 and 2?

3- Do you know the lenght of the Anesthesiology or cardiology residence period?

4- Do you know where can I find examples of Steps exams?

5- I am also concerned about the legal question. I've been told that it is extremely easy to be sued in the US. Is it true? Will I need a good lawyer?

[Spain is different]

anyone?