DO international

[cfdavid]

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Just wondering why so many people care about international DO practice rights. I'm not sure of the exact procedure, but I have to think that MD's must first be fluent in the language, as well as take some sort of board or competency exam in that country, and in that language.

I doubt an MD could just go set up a practice in Germany.

 

[dr.z]

Some people want to work overseas. I am originally from another country, and it would be nice to know if I can practice in my own country.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Just wondering why so many people care about international DO practice rights. I'm not sure of the exact procedure, but I have to think that MD's must first be fluent in the language, as well as take some sort of board or competency exam in that country, and in that language.

I doubt an MD could just go set up a practice in Germany.

why do you have to be fluent in the language? Many people are bilingual and as the above post stated are from other countries. As well as many speak english. Some like to provide missionary care as well. Translators are key. And board scores (to my knowledge) can transfer over for compatency. Some even take the european boards (for some specialty) to get around loopholes in our system here in the US 😉

 

[gusmp06]

Well, I know that the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor in Japan requires proof that the education one went through is equivalent of what one would go through in Japan so you can take the board exam. Apparently you don't need to be Japanese citizen (which I am anyway) to do that, but I don't know whether a DO graduate can take it so I would like to know one day before it's too late.

 

[cfdavid]

why do you have to be fluent in the language? Many people are bilingual and as the above post stated are from other countries. As well as many speak english. Some like to provide missionary care as well. Translators are key. And board scores (to my knowledge) can transfer over for compatency. Some even take the european boards (for some specialty) to get around loopholes in our system here in the US 😉

I understand the missionary work, but isn't that typically in undeveloped countries? That's very different from wanting to go work in a hospital in France for 10 years.

Also, I thought that foreign medical school grads had to pass the USMLE's and take the proper board exams before being able to practice in the US. If so, I would think that a similarly difficult "barrier to entry" would exist in other developed countries. Having an MD would not exactly help you, althought I understand that the legalities of a DO degree may be prohibitive in other countries in terms of full practice rights. My point is that I thought it was ridiculously hard to practice in a foreign country regardless, due to factors mentioned earlier.

For missionary work, it seems that countries in which major portions of the population lack basic health care, and/or suffer from epidemic diseases that are relatively easily treatable would not have too strict of rules as to the exact qualifications of those that volunteer their time to come help out.

Not sure. Again, I was just curious.

 

[cfdavid]

Also, I just don't hear other US healthcare professionals talk so much about international practice rights (i.e. dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, pharmacists etc.) I'm sure similar barriers would exist for them, versus their foreign country counterparts.

Again, fluency in a language would be first on the list of requirements. Being able to stumble through a conversation is one thing, but being capable of interpreting technical literature in a foreign language seems to be quite another. And fluency should be a requirement. (though many FMG's practicing in the U.S. don't appear all that fluent).

So, ASIDE from missionary work and those fluent in another language, I don't quite understand the interest in oversees practicing rights (other than simply advancing the international standing of the U.S. DO profession etc.)

 

[mshheaddoc]

Also, I just don't hear other US healthcare professionals talk so much about international practice rights (i.e. dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, pharmacists etc.) I'm sure similar barriers would exist for them, versus their foreign country counterparts.

Again, fluency in a language would be first on the list of requirements. Being able to stumble through a conversation is one thing, but being capable of interpreting technical literature in a foreign language seems to be quite another. And fluency should be a requirement. (though many FMG's practicing in the U.S. don't appear all that fluent).

So, ASIDE from missionary work and those fluent in another language, I don't quite understand the interest in oversees practicing rights (other than simply advancing the international standing of the U.S. DO profession etc.)

Maybe if you explain where you are coming from because I don't understand what your looking for. Your asking a pre-med website why people want to practice in other countries?

Maybe people have to move and want to practice? I guess what I'm getting at is your background of why you want to know might make a difference to your question I feel. If you are just asking to question why doctors want to practice overseas, then so be it. I only know of the two categories mentioned above and also those who have to move to another country due to spouse/family etc who wish to practice.

Anyone else comments?

 

[mshheaddoc]

I understand the missionary work, but isn't that typically in undeveloped countries? That's very different from wanting to go work in a hospital in France for 10 years.

Also, I thought that foreign medical school grads had to pass the USMLE's and take the proper board exams before being able to practice in the US. If so, I would think that a similarly difficult "barrier to entry" would exist in other developed countries. Having an MD would not exactly help you, althought I understand that the legalities of a DO degree may be prohibitive in other countries in terms of full practice rights. My point is that I thought it was ridiculously hard to practice in a foreign country regardless, due to factors mentioned earlier.

For missionary work, it seems that countries in which major portions of the population lack basic health care, and/or suffer from epidemic diseases that are relatively easily treatable would not have too strict of rules as to the exact qualifications of those that volunteer their time to come help out.

Not sure. Again, I was just curious.

To clarify, I'm meaning that board certified exams, not your USMLE's etc.

 

[cfdavid]

I have no underlying reason for asking other than curiosity. I'm a DO applicant right now. I just wanted to know the reasons why it was such a hot topic.

I can understand the importance of educating the international community that a US DO is trained much differently that "Osteopaths" in Europe. From that vantage point, it seems that it would be nice to have that legally acknowledged internationally etc.

But, it just seems that their would be so many headaches of becoming a practitioner in another country. So many that it has never even crossed my mind (whether I go MD or DO).

 

[mshheaddoc]

I have no underlying reason for asking other than curiosity. I'm a DO applicant right now. I just wanted to know the reasons why it was such a hot topic.

I can understand the importance of educating the international community that a US DO is trained much differently that "Osteopaths" in Europe. From that vantage point, it seems that it would be nice to have that legally acknowledged internationally etc.

But, it just seems that their would be so many headaches of becoming a practitioner in another country. So many that it has never even crossed my mind (whether I go MD or DO).

well on the whole, i don't know many doctors that go and practice (that you hear about) in another country. As for the "hot topic:, I wasn't aware it was one. I only hear about medical missions or overseas rotations as a way to see how other healthcare facilities work. That is why I was curious as to why you were asking.

 

[dr.z]

Well, I know that the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor in Japan requires proof that the education one went through is equivalent of what one would go through in Japan so you can take the board exam. Apparently you don't need to be Japanese citizen (which I am anyway) to do that, but I don't know whether a DO graduate can take it so I would like to know one day before it's too late.

You have to contact the Ministry of Health about DOs. They allow U.S. trained M.D.s to practice there.