If you have an MBBS and pass USMLE, are you then an MD?

[Scottish Chap]

It probably wouldn't matter going over there, as MB BCh/MB ChB/MBBS are equivalent to an American MD, but if a yank was to come here and call themselves MD with only the equiv. of a MBBS then they'd be misrepresenting themselves as someone with a higher (research) degree.

Yours

Nik GCSE A.Lv DD BSc - that last one is "bronze swimming certificate"

10 points for anyone that can tell me what DD is

Agreed completely.

[Singh.Simran]

Doctor of Divinity, easy pips. Highest ranking degree, here at least..

And equivalence schmequivalence, what you have been awarded is what you have been awarded. Otherwise you could justify MBChB for someone with a BMBS, or an LL.B for something with a BA + CPE...

[Singh.Simran]

Agreed completely.

Right then Mr. Chap, then if someone asked this person who is using MD to save confusion where they got it (or if it had to be put on for a form etc..)
...Said person either has to then clearly lie and say it was where they got their MBBS (and so imply having a higher degree), or claim an american med school which would keep the level of equivalence but be about as far from the truth as something really far away from the truth.

[yazoo]

Ultimately, the bottom line is the licence to practice. In both the UK and the US. And representing yourself honestly. If it's legal in the USA to call yourself an MD when you are not, then I guess Mark gets to choose (and make the mother-in-law smile). He's sensible, I'm sure, and would only do it if he researched the legality first. Which was the only point I wished to make.

So Scottish Chap, don't bother answering. We both knew what you meant.

End of this thread for me.

[Singh.Simran]

Sounds like all the problems here stem with the in-laws...


..Business as usual then?

[MedicMark?]

I'll ask the personnel department !

[Crocodile Dundee]

It probably wouldn't matter going over there, as MB BCh/MB ChB/MBBS are equivalent to an American MD, but if a yank was to come here and call themselves MD with only the equiv. of a MBBS then they'd be misrepresenting themselves as someone with a higher (research) degree.

Yours

Nik GCSE A.Lv DD BSc - that last one is "bronze swimming certificate"

10 points for anyone that can tell me what DD is

Well said; perfectly said.

[Crocodile Dundee]

If a "yank" was to come here and call themselves MD with only the equivalent of a MBBS, they would NOT be misrepresenting themselves as someone with a higher (research) degree if they clarified their position whenever required or requested or necessitated. They would simply say they have an MD from America and not the MD (the higher - research - degree) from the UK...

Letters after their name could read for example: "MD (Chicago)", so everyone would actually know where they got their particular "MD" from. This, really, is a no-issue.

[Singh.Simran]

Yes.. that IS a no-issue, which is why noone was discussing that issue.

We were discussing whether it is ethical/legal/correct to call oneself an MD when one qualified with an MBBS and then USMLE to practise in the US.. which clearly is an issue.

[Crocodile Dundee]

I think one passing the USMLE and consequently working in America could lead to one tentatively regarding themselves as "MD".

Whether they should still use the title "MBBS" or "MBChB" or "MB BCh" after their name should, in my own opinion, remain a personal concern.