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

[MedicMark?]

My mother-in-law (an American) keeps asking me (a Brit) if I will be called an "MD" if I pass the USMLE steps and start a residency program in the US, despite the fact that I am doing an MBBS qualification in the UK. (I think it would sound cool to her friend at church ) I'm not especially bothered what I'm called as long as I can do the job, but I would be interested in the answer, and it's a bit embarrassing every time she asks not knowing the answer. Anyone know? Cheers

[yazoo]

No. Sorry!

MD is the Amercian (version of the) MB. In the UK, MD is a higher degree.

[MedicMark?]

No. Sorry!

MD is the Amercian (version of the) MB. In the UK, MD is a higher degree.

Cheers, I will have to let her down gently (maybe with the phrase 'er, yes, you can tell everyone I am an MD')

I saw that the MD in the UK is essentially a research PhD for medical doctors, but wondered if I would be an MD on one side of the Atlantic and MBBS on the other.

So what would this actually make me if and when I start work in the US? They are all MD or DO so are Brits 'MBBS' when they sign a letter, and what about graduates from other countries, do they get the letters with which they are awarded from their own countries? It all sounds a bit confusing to me

[yazoo]

You will be Dr Mark, MBBS, Univ of London (personally, I'd avoid the SG part of the SGUL if I was going to stateside to avoid any confusion about where I went!).

Yep. A family friend, who is MBChB, has lived in the US for many years. He just claims UK education is more advanced as you get 2 degrees! But yes, his notepaper says MB ChB, PhD. It's never been a problem, to my knowledge.

Agree with the in-law plan

[MedicMark?]

Thank you, yazoo, that explains it all nicely. I will also adopt your friend's plan of being Dr Mark MB, BS, and I may add my BA and my cycling proficiency certificate (circa 1985) to the list too.

Cheers!

[Singh.Simran]

For America it might have to be Mark, MBBS (London. That's London, England, United Kingdom, Europe. Your special relationship partner? Where the Queen lives?)

[yazoo]

Sometimes less is more. But in the US of A? More is more. Consumerism rules, and the patient will want to know that the Dr is an expert! And they will want to know if it's London, Ohio or London, England, and by appointment to the Queen!

But they will not have a clue who is the "special relationship partner", and indeed Mark may get struck off before pracitising if he tries to explain . He may be in redneck country!

Mark will need his BA, his MBBS and his NCPA (it's a British qualification - do they need to know it involves 2 wheels?).

Now I need to wash my mouth out with soap for stereotyping

[Singh.Simran]

Me too.

Naughty us!

[Singh.Simran]

A particular favourite postnominal of mine is AMRI.

Only 13 quid a year for students!

[Scottish Chap]

My mother-in-law (an American) keeps asking me (a Brit) if I will be called an "MD" if I pass the USMLE steps and start a residency program in the US, despite the fact that I am doing an MBBS qualification in the UK. (I think it would sound cool to her friend at church ) I'm not especially bothered what I'm called as long as I can do the job, but I would be interested in the answer, and it's a bit embarrassing every time she asks not knowing the answer. Anyone know? Cheers

If you pass the USMLEs and practice medicine in the U.S., you will be expected to sign your name with "MD". That's the culture in the U.S. and that's what everyone understands. Nobody out here knows what MBBS or MBChB is. I have seen some British docs write MBBS on their lab coat, but it always leads to confusion.