- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
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It is no surprise that in a world with many languages and cultures there exist many other primary medical degrees, such as the MB from the United Kingdom, the MBBS from India, the Vrach from Russia, or the MUDr from Czechoslovakia. Most other countries tend to refer to their physicians as 'Dr' and not make reference to their medical degree. But, here in the United States, we tend to have the degree following the physician's name on their name badges, lab coats, business cards, and office doors. With an estimated 25% of the 650,000 physicians in the United States being IMG's you would expect to see a wide variety of medical degrees on name badges, lab coats, business cards, and office doors. Why have I only ever seen MD and DO?
I recently sent the following e-mail correspondence to a foreign physician practicing here; "I have a question related to your medical degree. I assume MB ChB originates from the British educational system. I am curious about whether you would use MB or MD on your lab coat and whether people often ask you what an MB is". (A question many DO's could identify with). The reply: "Much of the time I just use MD as it is a direct equivalent and easier for people to understand.".
What does the allopathic community think about IMG's using the designation MD when their medical degree is not a MD? How would they feel if DO's were to do the same? Presumably, they would argue that the IMG's are allopathic physicians. But what is closer to our MD degree? A foreign degree taken over 5 years straight out of high school, where clinical exposure is often without the advanced equipment and techniques available in the US, or a DO degree taken over 4 years after 4 years of college, where clinical exposure is generally identical to MD students.
In addition, many of the countries that have non-MD primary medical degrees do not recognize our D.O. degree. So, we accept non-MD medical degrees from countries that seem unwilling to accept our non-MD medical degrees. This lack of international recognition is inequitable and denies many of our students and graduates the opportunities that we readily extend to others.
I would like to see action from the AMA and AOA on two counts. Firstly, require all IMG's to use their correct degree designation. And, secondly I would like to see recognition withdraw of non-MD medical degrees from those countries who fail to fully recognize our medical degrees. This would include the UK, India, South Africa, Ireland, Mexico, and Australia; countries whose students and physicians seem to have no problem taking advantages of the opportunities here while denying many of our students and physicians similar opportunities.
David Hill MSc MS1
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Comments / suggestions
I recently sent the following e-mail correspondence to a foreign physician practicing here; "I have a question related to your medical degree. I assume MB ChB originates from the British educational system. I am curious about whether you would use MB or MD on your lab coat and whether people often ask you what an MB is". (A question many DO's could identify with). The reply: "Much of the time I just use MD as it is a direct equivalent and easier for people to understand.".
What does the allopathic community think about IMG's using the designation MD when their medical degree is not a MD? How would they feel if DO's were to do the same? Presumably, they would argue that the IMG's are allopathic physicians. But what is closer to our MD degree? A foreign degree taken over 5 years straight out of high school, where clinical exposure is often without the advanced equipment and techniques available in the US, or a DO degree taken over 4 years after 4 years of college, where clinical exposure is generally identical to MD students.
In addition, many of the countries that have non-MD primary medical degrees do not recognize our D.O. degree. So, we accept non-MD medical degrees from countries that seem unwilling to accept our non-MD medical degrees. This lack of international recognition is inequitable and denies many of our students and graduates the opportunities that we readily extend to others.
I would like to see action from the AMA and AOA on two counts. Firstly, require all IMG's to use their correct degree designation. And, secondly I would like to see recognition withdraw of non-MD medical degrees from those countries who fail to fully recognize our medical degrees. This would include the UK, India, South Africa, Ireland, Mexico, and Australia; countries whose students and physicians seem to have no problem taking advantages of the opportunities here while denying many of our students and physicians similar opportunities.
David Hill MSc MS1
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Comments / suggestions