Amercian vs Canadian medicine

[Mccarey]

I'm wondering if anyone can briefly discuss the pros and cons of praciting medicine in the US vs in Canada.

i'm trying to decide which one to pursue.

Very similar, yet very different!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ocean11]

1) you'll make ALOT LESS $$$$ in Canada

2) Canada has a more 'socialistic' approach, namely everyone has the same health care plan (regardless of economic status).

3) Canadians have to wait longer for surgical and other 'special' procedures due to deficits in Canada health budget and not enough physicians.

4) As a whole Canada is safer to live in (on average)

5) More residency opportunities in the US

I'm Canadian and am probably going to end up practicing in the US as there is more opportunities there.

 

[Mccarey]

Yeah, I wonder if it is better to do Med school in Canada and then try to go to the US for residency. I know it's going to be a tough road though.

How do the workload for residency programs compare between the US and Canada? Do residents (ie General Surgery) do similar amount of hours?

 

[ocean11]

Similar hours, although I'd be willing to bet that Canadians do more, 'cause they have to with all the shortage of physicians and health care workers.

A friend of mine (internal medicine residency) just did two days in a row..... thats 48+ hours!!!!!!!!!! he's in his second year of res.

It is a good idea to do meds in canada and go to the US because med school here is cheaper, its in canadian dollars as well. HOWEVER, good luck getting in, especially if you are foreign, its brutally competitive!!

 

[JohnHolmes]

How severe are the salary differences...number wise?

CCW