Opinion needed please

[nana5]

Hi all,

British graduate, completed F1/F2 training. Currently 1st year core anaesthesiology trainee in England. Really enjoying it.
Just passed my FRCA primary MCQ exam.
My fiance is based in WA, I am planning to head across to join him. Planning to do USMLE and join the residency programme.
What is the score needed for anaesthesiology residency? I understand that it is very competitive. As for where to apply, it is restricted only to Seattle WA.

One of my consultant actually did her fellowship in michigan few years ago after she has completed her CCT in anaesthesiology in th UK i.e. post FRCA exam. After fellowship, she was offered a associate professor post in the same teaching hospital, where she then stay back for 2 more years. She did not sit for USMLE, she told me the condition is that she can only practise in that particular hospital.

Or should I stay back to complete my FRCA exam and get my CCT before heading over. If so, do I need to go through the residency programme from the begining.

Please advise. Anyone from experience. Thanks.

[Scottish Chap]

Hi all,

British graduate, completed F1/F2 training. Currently 1st year core anaesthesiology trainee in England. Really enjoying it.
Just passed my FRCA primary MCQ exam.
My fiance is based in WA, I am planning to head across to join him. Planning to do USMLE and join the residency programme.
What is the score needed for anaesthesiology residency? I understand that it is very competitive. As for where to apply, it is restricted only to Seattle WA.

One of my consultant actually did her fellowship in michigan few years ago after she has completed her CCT in anaesthesiology in th UK i.e. post FRCA exam. After fellowship, she was offered a associate professor post in the same teaching hospital, where she then stay back for 2 more years. She did not sit for USMLE, she told me the condition is that she can only practise in that particular hospital.

Or should I stay back to complete my FRCA exam and get my CCT before heading over. If so, do I need to go through the residency programme from the begining.

Please advise. Anyone from experience. Thanks.

I would move to the U.S. as soon as you can if this is where you will eventually stay. Gone are the days when British doctors receive credit for residency completed overseas. It almost never happens. I've worked with more than one internationally-trained physician who was 'grandfathered in' without the USMLE or stateside training. Traditionally, British anesthesiologists used to be desirable because your training is so much longer and more intense than the U.S. You'll need to do one year of a primary residency, followed by three years of anesthesiology. The primary residency can either be a transitional year (you rotate through all specialties) or of preliminary year in internal medicine or surgery. Most go for internal medicine.

Anesthesiology is one of the "moderately competitive" specialties, so even stateside applicants need to think about doing well. The average score on USMLE Step 1 for accepted stateside applicants one year ago was around 222 for anesthesiology. This corresponds to a two-digit score of about 92 (note: this is not a percentile).

Graduates from outside of the U.S. generally need to score better than American graduates. That's the bad news. The good news is that each program (in spite of rumours) tends not to use cut-off scores, and anesthesiology programs in WA are not the most competitive ones in the country.

What you have on your side is an FRCA exam pass and experience. This is an advantage. When I was interviewing at a couple of very competitive programmes this past year that have a reputation for never looking at international applicants (Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts General etc.), I actually did see a couple of internationals in each program or interviewing for the program. A common theme was a completed residency overseas or MRCP qualification. As an FMG, you will also be allowed to sign a pre-match contract (forbidden for graduating U.S. medical students). This means that a program that likes you (and it will happen) can offer you a job right after your interview and, with a finace, this will remove the unpredictability of matching anywhere in the U.S. (my situation right now).

Another strategy I have seen work well for a couple of English doctors (especially those whose other half is American) is to move to the U.S. either before or after you have taken Steps 1 and 2, and work in a research capacity in an anesthesiology department (they'll teach you the ropes if you haven't done any research). When you apply for residency positions, being an insider is a massive advantage out here.

Study hard for Step 1 and Step 2, and you'll be fine. Don't listen to people who tell you that you need 99/99. You don't. Good luck!

BTW, when I did an elective in the U.K., I was surprised at how often you folks do LMAs. I intubated a few times as a student, but only did one LMA for a short procedure. I wonder why we don't do more LMAs over here.....

[nana5]

Thanks for your valuable advice, Scottish Chap.
Will complete my FRCA Primary and study hard for USMLE.

Ya, we still do lots of LMAs, intubation is reserved for major cases

Thanks again.

[Scottish Chap]

Thanks for your valuable advice, Scottish Chap.
Will complete my FRCA Primary and study hard for USMLE.

Ya, we still do lots of LMAs, intubation is reserved for major cases

Thanks again.

Welcome. You might think about e-mailing UW's Dept. of Anesthesiology to get onto their radar screen (start with the residency director). I say this because probably 20% of their faculty are British medical school graduates. My limited experience has shown me that an educational system tried, tested, and understood is usually aggressively recruited for residency training. Good luck to you.

[fast1]

Hey i`m actually benefiting from your advice too scottish chap! just wanted to extend my thanks to you!

[dunlop]

thanx scottish chap.

I cant find my signature!