AUS VS USA - What are the differences of the doctors?

[ENTSteven]

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Sorry Guys Dont know why my post didnt come up?

Just interested in your views of what the differences that you think bw american and australian doctors.

I want to do a fellowship in the States, cos I like the States, as there are alot of cutting edge stuff there!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I'm not sure Steven that you will find enough people here who are actually experienced/qualified to answer your question.

Many, if not most, consultants in Oz are US-fellowship trained. However, as a whole they tend to be more laid back (as is the medical system) and less tied to the clock or CYA medicine than are US physicians (exception would be Sydney which has one of the highest malpractice rates in the world). While the reputation is that Aussie physicians rely more on clinical exam than their US counterparts, that stereotype is somewhat dying as technology becomes cheaper and more readily available.

Finally, IMHO the biggest difference is that Australian specialists tend to be better all-around physicians - I attribute this to the mandatory general house officer years spent before entering specialty training in Oz. Everyone learns to be a good generalist physician before embarking on their field of choice - we track people into specialties and rely on consults in the US too fast/too much, IMHO.

 

[ENTSteven]

Hi I ma not sure that alot or all of our consultants are trained in the US fellowship, certainly in the 70 - 80' s where there is not alot of regulation in doing the hands on stuff in the US, there are alot docs have gone to US for fellowship training

unfortunately that in recent years, these have all changed due to medical indemnity!!

what you are right is that both our physicians and surgeons spent in general about 3-4 years in general training then advance to specialised training programs!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Originally posted by ENTSteven
Hi I ma not sure that alot or all of our consultants are trained in the US fellowship, certainly in the 70 - 80' s where there is not alot of regulation in doing the hands on stuff in the US, there are alot docs have gone to US for fellowship training

unfortunately that in recent years, these have all changed due to medical indemnity!!

what you are right is that both our physicians and surgeons spent in general about 3-4 years in general training then advance to specialised training programs!

While I cannot comment on the training of your faculty, most of the FLinders faculty were US fellowship trained (all of the Plastic surgeons were - many at the same institutions, and most of the rest of the advanced trained surgeons and internists).

So you think that recently Aussie physicians/surgeons are staying home for fellowship training? How does the medical indemnity issue change/affect their seeking training abroad. How does the Royal College, for example, view US fellowship training - is is not considered "regulated" or are those who have gained their extra skills abroad somehow more prone to malpractice? I'm not understanding the issue here...

 

[ENTSteven]

no not all, aussie surgeons, dont know much about pysician, certainly we as surgeons generally usually seek fellowship once we finish our training abroad, most of us go to England because we can do things there.

Not unless we have passed USMLE, will we be able to operate in the US.

This is something that I am planning to do next year, cos I want to do some hands on things in the US

 

[ENTSteven]

HI Kimberley

Not at all, due the medical indemnity covers that foreigners have to take to go to the US is quite high atronomical by our standards and may not be by yours!!!

That is quite off putting for most of us + we need to do USMLE, otherwise one can only go to the US for observation and no hands on stuff, not many surgeons want to go just to observe, some will for a short period, but usually fellowship is about 1 year long!!!


Many want to do stuff, operate that is!! that is why usually we choose to go to England because there is no such restrictions!

This is what I mean

Kimberley, can also unbar medicine forall. I wrote you a private message, I am not sure whether you have received it!!! Cheers.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Steven...

I realize that to work in the US, Aussie physicians or surgeons must generally have ECFMG certification. And while it is true that many do go to England for fellowship training because of this, I've met many Aussies who ARE willing to go through the ECFMG certification to work in the US.

These obstacles are much greater than they were several years ago when the now consultants didn't have to jump through as many hoops.

The issue of medical indemnity should NOT deter anyone from seeking fellowship positions in the US. Indemnity is PAID FOR by the institution where you are training - the fellow is not required to pay for it. I"m not sure if you have been misinformed - if you are hired as a fellow by a US program you are not required to pay for your medical indemnity. STUDENTS however, are often required to provide such insurance to US medical school programs.

At any rate, you are correct - observerships are essentially useless IMHO - surgeon or not.

 

[ENTSteven]

imberley,

certainly, there are people willing to take the USMLE exam, but as you know it is a tedious process, and many just wont bother, due to the cost of the exam and study for them.

For me however, currently I am studying for my surgical primary which covers all the basic sciences and that is why when i get my surgical primary, I will also do US MLE.

People do USMLE, usually have intentions of staying in the US for good. (this is what I think)