stay in UK or practice in US?

[bumpy]

hi,

I'm wondering if it's a better option to stay in the UK after getting the MBBS and doing GP practice or doing the USLME and try to find a residency program in the US...It appears it's really difficult to practice in the US once the medical degree is done in another country.....any advice on this?

Also is there another country where the standard of living is better than in the UK but isn't so difficult to practice medicine in?........I was thinking of possibly Australia or Canada.......any input would be appreciated.......thanks

[kwatt26]

So, this couldn't possibly be a matter of money or greed, could it?

I would advise taking your USMLEs right after you graduate, when the knowledge is still "fresh." As a matter of course, Irish graduates (not sure if they still do) take their USMLEs in their final exam diet, so that they can do a fellowship for a year or so in the states. If you haven't taken them, you can't do so much as take a patient's history there. The training is excellent, rigorous to get into and cope with, but worth your while. Many senior doctors who remember having the opportunity that I've spoken to (just now, actually), say that they still regret it. I say go for it.

Dunno the first thing about oz or canada! Sorry!

[bumpy]

Originally Posted by kwatt26

So, this couldn't possibly be a matter of money or greed, could it?

I would advise taking your USMLEs right after you graduate, when the knowledge is still "fresh." As a matter of course, Irish graduates (not sure if they still do) take their USMLEs in their final exam diet, so that they can do a fellowship for a year or so in the states. If you haven't taken them, you can't do so much as take a patient's history there. The training is excellent, rigorous to get into and cope with, but worth your while. Many senior doctors who remember having the opportunity that I've spoken to (just now, actually), say that they still regret it. I say go for it.

Dunno the first thing about oz or canada! Sorry!

It's not about money for me, it's about a better standard of living....I used to live in Jamaica and Miami and in comparison I feel a little stifled in Britain....it's a great country and all but the houses are claustrophobic....(sorry if I've offended anyone), prices are horrendous and u have to either go abroad or travel lots to access some things.....I looove the sun so I'm thinking if I stay here then I would have to spend six months somewhere else as well........

Does ur fellowship count as clinical practice and could u possibly get a residency place as a result?

[pardon?]

good question. i share your sentiments bumpy, im also studying in the uk but considering going to the US afterwards. does anyone know what is involved in this, and is it as difficult as it seems to get a place in america? i heard that not only do you have to sit the USMLE and pass it, but you also have to spend an extra year earning an MD qualification. could be false though dont take my word for it!

[matt_izett87]

What is with this British disease of anyone who is in the medical field condemning those who seek a better quality of life. Our socialist orientated public employment sector as well as the general population need to wake up to the reality that the world is run by free markets and capitalist-orientated global trade, in goods AND skills. Until the UK starts to pay doctors what they deserve (in terms of ability and effort) there will continue to be those who seek an improvement in Q. of life. I say go for the US, and let yourself flourish, dont be stiffled by judgemental and antequated british doctors and medical professionals. N.B. to tony Blair, pay your doctors more!!!
matt

[pardon?]

Originally Posted by matt_izett87

What is with this British disease of anyone who is in the medical field condemning those who seek a better quality of life. Our socialist orientated public employment sector as well as the general population need to wake up to the reality that the world is run by free markets and capitalist-orientated global trade, in goods AND skills. Until the UK starts to pay doctors what they deserve (in terms of ability and effort) there will continue to be those who seek an improvement in Q. of life. I say go for the US, and let yourself flourish, dont be stiffled by judgemental and antequated british doctors and medical professionals. N.B. to tony Blair, pay your doctors more!!!
matt

here here!

[jeffrey_leow]

nah i dont think u have to spend an extra year getting ur M.D.

[jeffrey_leow]

USMLE Step 1 : After 3rd medical year.
USMLE Step 2 : After 4th medical year - this will be tricky as you may have to study medicine/surgery/peadiatrics on your own. The US has a different schedule from other countries for the exams.
USMLE Step 3 : After your final exams, this is because you have to examine mock patients in the US. I can't imagine anybody passing this one without formal physical examination techniques

[Makey]

there's great money in Ireland. The semi-recent surge in inflation has deffo pushed up the wages.

[pretoria]

Originally Posted by matt_izett87

What is with this British disease of anyone who is in the medical field condemning those who seek a better quality of life. Our socialist orientated public employment sector as well as the general population need to wake up to the reality that the world is run by free markets and capitalist-orientated global trade, in goods AND skills. Until the UK starts to pay doctors what they deserve (in terms of ability and effort) there will continue to be those who seek an improvement in Q. of life. I say go for the US, and let yourself flourish, dont be stiffled by judgemental and antequated british doctors and medical professionals. N.B. to tony Blair, pay your doctors more!!!
matt

I would just like to point out that free markets don't pay people what they deserve - they people what the market can bear - the two do not necessarily equate. Otherwise singers, actors and footballers would not be earning millions, while academics earn peanuts. Or do you think that Britney Spears is more deserving than people researching cancer treatments?

Also, Tony Blair doesn't pay doctors - taxpayers pay NHS doctors. So you want more money? Then either the populace need to pay more tax, or money must be diverted from other areas - welfare? treatments? street cleaning? police? take your pick.

By all means go to the US - and find a country where the free market determines that a large proportion of the population have no health insurance, where people have to mortgage their homes to pay for treatments that their HMO has deemed to be unnecessary, or outside the terms of their insurance policy. The NHS might need a lot of improvement - but at least it is free at the point of delivery to virtually all our citizens, and a lot more people besides.