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

**Scottish Chap** · 27-03-2009, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

This is exactly what happens in every hospital...and it's perfectly legal.

**yazoo** · 27-03-2009, 01:15 AM

Could you cite some evidence? Just because it happens doesn't mean it's legal (or ethically correct).

**yazoo** · 27-03-2009, 01:32 AM

Tell you what, I'll cite some evidence.

Check out clinical faculty profiles at the Mayo Clinic. There seem to be a number of British Medics sticking with their original degree. I guess I would advise following the clinical lead of what would generally be regarded as an outstanding faculty!

I want to say more, but I'll stop there. (Edited as I didn't...)

**Scottish Chap** · 27-03-2009, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by yazoo

Could you cite some evidence? Just because it happens doesn't mean it's legal (or ethically correct).

This has been the policy at three of the four hospitals I have worked at in this U.S. (space intentionally left blank). Yes, you can use the internet and see pretty much anything you want to see. Frankly, it's a trivial point to me because what you believe has little bearing. I'm in the system and you are not. I responded to a question that was asked. Thanks for your interesting input.

As for your Mayo Clinic experiment.....this took me two minutes to extend (n=2).

1. Stephen J. Russell - Mayo Clinic (British-trained physician using MD). The horror!!!

2. Bryan McIver - Mayo Clinic (A British-trained physician using MBChB).

Again: both perfectly legit; just one prefers less questions from patients and co-workers.

**yazoo** · 27-03-2009, 02:08 AM

Not quite what I'd regard as evidence. Your re-iterating that it happens where you work. As for Stephen Russell - in the section that he obviosuly wrote himself (the bit containing the personal pronouns...) he refers to himself as MB ChB. Hmmm....

I value your opinion as much as you value mine. But that is irrelevant. The point is accurate advice. That is the point of this forum, if at all possible. I wouldn't base my professional livelyhood on the musings of a final year med student. But Croc Dundee clearly disagrees.

I think there is little left to add, at least for now

.

**Singh.Simran** · 27-03-2009, 02:47 AM

Interestingly... (via a quick google)

"Before he started his first year, I helped him contact various state medical boards and the ECFMG to see if MD can be used if you have a medical degree title from the British system. Their answers were yes, you can use MD after your name when practicing medicine in the US since the British degre titles are the MD equivalents." - for whatever that's worth.
"(iv) If you pass the EXAMS [USMLE STEP 1& 2 ] then ECFMG issues the ECFMG certificate acknowledging your qualification[MBBS / MBChB] into a US MD for all practical purposes after that .."

I think we can settle that while passing the exams to practise in the US may not constitute one being an MD, the practical usage is acceptable and probably ethical as long as not used to deceive?

**yazoo** · 27-03-2009, 03:12 AM

I'm still not convinced that you could legally use the term MD. Firstly, that's not quite what the quote says.
Second, it's quoted from another e-forum, but does not cite an original source (unless you linked to a bit I didn't see).

I don't practice in the US, I don't want to practice in the US, and I will happily conceed Scottish Chap is correct if someone provides some definitive evidence from a reputable source.

Without evidence, e-fora become meaningless. It's a bit like a research paper without references.

As I said above:

The point is accurate advice. That is the point of this forum, if at all possible.

**yazoo** · 27-03-2009, 03:22 AM

Fortunately the mind-numbing homogeneity of globalisation does not yet hold sway in medical qualifications and I don't discern any major trend in that direction.

An excellent quote from that forum page. I suspect I may be in the minority on that one, here, though as I'm very happy with my MB and I certainly don't want to trade my PhD for an MD!

**Crocodile Dundee** · 27-03-2009, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by yazoo

Tell you what, I'll cite some evidence.

Check out clinical faculty profiles at the Mayo Clinic. There seem to be a number of British Medics sticking with their original degree. I guess I would advise following the clinical lead of what would generally be regarded as an outstanding faculty!

I want to say more, but I'll stop there. (Edited as I didn't...)

The British Medics probably stick with their original degree in order to avoid confusion in academic circles...It is probably binding for one to state PRECISELY the type of medical degree they hold in academia.

**Singh.Simran** · 27-03-2009, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by yazoo

I'm still not convinced that you could legally use the term MD.

Quite right - but i said for all practical purposes.

Let's look at it this way - we know people do it it with no trouble, it effectively means the same thing, and no reasonable court would find you guilty of any crime because you had no malicious intent and did not stand to gain from the change.

So we are making a purely academic debate - and the answer is academic too: Technically and academically, if you haven't been awarded an MB you shouldn't claim to have been. In practise, it's fine.