Swedish medical student, residency in the states

[Basch]

I've been around here for a while, mostly for reading study tips. Now as 4th year medical student though, I am seriously considering doing the whole USMLE procedure and try to get a residency somewhere in USA after graduation. Out of what i've heard, the residency training in the States is very intense and rewarding. My ambition would be to learn as much as possible and then bring the skills back to Sweden once I've completed my training.

What I am wondering is how complicated this process would be (and for my own sake consider whether it is worth it or not). I know I have to do the USMLE steps, but I am not sure about the process after that. How do you get accepted for a residency, and how "hard" would it be to get into a decent hospital for, lets say internal medicine residency? Do I need to get extremely good result on all USMLE steps? Is there an interview? After being accepted, how long would it take to become specialist in infectious medicine and how tough is the training?

There are a lot of questions as you can see, hope anyone could answer. Also, if there is any web page which could be helpful on the basis of my questions, I would be thankful for suggestions.

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[Winged Scapula]

What I am wondering is how complicated this process would be (and for my own sake consider whether it is worth it or not).

It may not be, depending on what you're looking for, given that Sweden is known to have good quality medical education.

I know I have to do the USMLE steps, but I am not sure about the process after that.

Start here: http://www.ecfmg.org You'll need an ECFMG certificate; some specialties, programs require it to interview, others just before the rank order listing is due before the match,

How do you get accepted for a residency

It is done through a centralized match process; see here: http://www.nrmp.org

and how "hard" would it be to get into a decent hospital for, lets say internal medicine residency?

That will depend on your USMLE scores. You should also consider coming to the US to do some electives during your final year; this will allow you to get US clinical experience and US letters of reference which are very important.

Do I need to get extremely good result on all USMLE steps?

Yes.

Is there an interview?

Yes, multiple interviews, assuming you are invited by several programs. Most would interview at at least 12 places - you'll have to look at the results here to see what the average number of interviews was for IMGs in IM who got accepted: http://www.nrmp.org/2014-nrmp-main-residency-match-results/

After being accepted, how long would it take to become specialist in infectious medicine...

3 years internal medicine, optional Chief Resident year, 2-3 years infectious disease fellowship. So minimum of 5 years.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

3 years internal medicine, optional Chief Resident year, 3 years infectious disease fellowship. So minimum of 6 years.

ID fellowships are actually only 2 years long, in most cases. Some research programs are 3.

 

[Winged Scapula]

ID fellowships are actually only 2 years long, in most cases. Some research programs are 3.

I wondered that after I posted - I looked at a few AMC fellowships all of which were 3.

Thanks for the clarification. I will correct my post.

 

[rokshana]

and a chief year would not be necessary for an ID fellowship…they are not that competitive.

 

[Winged Scapula]

and a chief year would not be necessary for an ID fellowship…they are not that competitive.

I know; that's why I said "optional".