DO vs. Philippines Med schools

[LL562]

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So exactly how difficult is it to match for FP or IM for a foreign grad? I'm really interested in FP/IM but I hear that people don't like to go into either because of the amount of students loans people end up with after they graduate.

I'm still researching but from what I've learned medical schools in the Philippines are about $5000 a year for tuition plus a one time $10,000 foreign student fee. I know 2 doctors who went to a school there that gave it good recommendations in terms of quality of education.

It seems like the generally consensus is to try to go to a US school before looking at any foreign schools, with much of the discussion being about Carib schools.

But if I could go to medical school for about $30,000 plus living expenses, I'll be very happy.

So bottom line, how risky is it? I understand foreign grads have trouble finding residencies, but if I wanted to go into FP of IM would going to the Philippines be a bad educational/career choice?

 

[THH]

By 2016, the GME crunch will be starting to get into full swing and IMGs are going to have increasing difficulty in finding spots. I absolutely would not leave the country for medical school just to save some money, especially with the way GME is headed.

 

[YiSheng]

I wouldn't either. The risk is just too high for the cheaper tuition. The point of medical school is to become a doctor...but you can't be a doctor without a residency. I think it'll be a really uphill battle for you (not impossible though of course).

 

[dmplz707]

By 2016, the GME crunch will be starting to get into full swing and IMGs are going to have increasing difficulty in finding spots. I absolutely would not leave the country for medical school just to save some money, especially with the way GME is headed.

Could you please cite any information regarding this 'GME crunch' ? Thank you.

 

[SoulinNeed]

Go DO, you'll have many more opportunities, and be MUCH safer in your decision.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Go to the Philippines. If you're really going to trust your education on them to be comparable to a US education and just want to do family med, leave the spot to someone that legitimately wants to be a D.O. And if you get the crunch and can't get residency, just stay in Philippines. I'm assuming being a doctor in a 3rd world country like that has many social and economic benefits.

 

[DocGodfather]

I think it depends on if you actually want to go to a DO school because you believe in the philosophy, or because you can't get into an allopathic meical school. If it's the latter, then I agree with Triage and say go international. Going DO means doing hundreds of extra hours of training that you'll not enjoy and dread everyday.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Could you please cite any information regarding this 'GME crunch' ? Thank you.

I don't know of any sources, but the "crunch" is sort of implied when you take into account that new schools (both MD and DO) have opened up and existing schools have increased enrollment but the number of residency spots has not changed, nor does it seem to be in for a change in the near future. It would not affect US grads as much as it would international grads, since international grads essentially vie for spots not filled by US grads.

 

[THH]

Could you please cite any information regarding this 'GME crunch' ? Thank you.

"In fact, by 2015, the country will be at a crossroads where there will not be enough training opportunities for medical graduates, the New England Journal of Medicine predicts."

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwauke...nough-physician-residency-slots.html?page=all

 

[MRSAful Fate]

"In fact, by 2015, the country will be at a crossroads where there will not be enough training opportunities for medical graduates, the New England Journal of Medicine predicts."

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwauke...nough-physician-residency-slots.html?page=all

Here's the NEJM article. Every pre-med should be aware of the uncertain future of GME before applying and matriculating. GME was up for sharp cuts under the congressional "supercommittee" a few months back, and even without cuts there will likely be problems in the near future.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMhpr1107519

 

[THH]

Here's the NEJM article. Every pre-med should be aware of the uncertain future of GME before applying and matriculating. GME was up for sharp cuts under the congressional "supercommittee" a few months back, and even without cuts there will likely be problems in the near future.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMhpr1107519

Thanks MRSA, I was hunting for that article actually, but couldn't track it down. 👍

 

[impact2d]

I think there will be a crunch, but FM in highly undesirable locations should still be possible. My mentor trained at far east and scrambled into a Medicaid hospital in Harlem about 20 years ago. A better option for saving money might be loan forgiveness for working in undesirable locations, army reserves, or state school.

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[DO Anes]

I think it depends on if you actually want to go to a DO school because you believe in the philosophy, or because you can't get into an allopathic meical school. If it's the latter, then I agree with Triage and say go international. Going DO means doing hundreds of extra hours of training that you'll not enjoy and dread everyday.

In other words, like >90% of existing DO students who manage to overcome the dread and graduate anyway. DO>>>>>>>>>overseas, but let's not kid ourselves about it being a first and only choice for any but a rare few. ( BTW, not all PI schools are equal or even close. There are a handful of good/aceptable ones and the majority are substandard.)

 

[caide]

What exactly is the GME crunch??

 

[LesBois88]

What exactly is the GME crunch??

This:

"In fact, by 2015, the country will be at a crossroads where there will not be enough training opportunities for medical graduates, the New England Journal of Medicine predicts."

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwauke...nough-physician-residency-slots.html?page=all

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Could you please cite any information regarding this 'GME crunch' ? Thank you.

I cannot cite any information, but I will confirm that this is a cause for alarm for all non-USMD students, though the effects likely will not be felt by USDO's and in majority be felt by FMG's.

 

[LL562]

"In fact, by 2015, the country will be at a crossroads where there will not be enough training opportunities for medical graduates, the New England Journal of Medicine predicts."

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwauke...nough-physician-residency-slots.html?page=all

Just finished reading this article. Holy crap!!! Sounds like bad news for even US students. Thank you so much for sharing this. It's one thing to hear people's opinion but it's a totally different thing to have the facts presented in this article. This is the whole reason I started this thread, thanks again.

 

[scotchtapetest]

Just finished reading this article. Holy crap!!! Sounds like bad news for even US students. Thank you so much for sharing this. It's one thing to hear people's opinion but it's a totally different thing to have the facts presented in this article. This is the whole reason I started this thread, thanks again.

US students (DO and MD) will never have a problem (i.e. there will always be enough spots for all of them).... There is too much political power/money in AOA and AMA to let their students go without residency. In allo forum they just posted an article about new changes that possibly may reduce length of residency therefore increasing spots without increasing funding... FMGs on the other hand... well that's a different story!

 

[LL562]

US students (DO and MD) will never have a problem (i.e. there will always be enough spots for all of them).... There is too much political power/money in AOA and AMA to let their students go without residency. In allo forum they just posted an article about new changes that possibly may reduce length of residency therefore increasing spots without increasing funding... FMGs on the other hand... well that's a different story!

I was just thinking that after reading the article. There either needs to be a change the structure of our residencies or expand the scope of practice for PAs and NPs. But there seems to be some negative opinions about PAs and NPs taking over primary care.

What's the name of the thread with that article in it? or could you please post it here if you have it?

 

[scotchtapetest]

I was just thinking that after reading the article. There either needs to be a change the structure of our residencies or expand the scope of practice for PAs and NPs. But there seems to be some negative opinions about PAs and NPs taking over primary care.

What's the name of the thread with that article in it? or could you please post it here if you have it?

Some negative opinions??? As far as I'm concerned, primary care is the hardest specialty (i.e. if you want to be a good PCP) although it is very easy to be a crappy one and refer everyone to specialists and therefore, PAs and NPs should NEVER be allowed to take over primary care.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=894236

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I concur with what has already been stated, be very wary about going to the PI for Medical School. The PI is a whole different culture, and unless you have visited Manila before it will be quite overwhelming. In addition, as others have stated it will be challenging to get a Residency program or even become a Physician in the Philippines. Why? The Philippines has the reverse problem of nursing that we are experiencing here in the USA (too many nurses for too few of jobs, and their Physicians become nurses here in the States in many cases). Their medical system is completely different, and you will be better off career-wise moving to the Philippines after you have your US degree as a DO than you will be getting an MD in the Philippines, especially in terms of where you work (i.e. their private system is their best system and demands a western trained degree, not training of the PI). This is a very, very careful decision to make. Despite your spending only 30k for education, what's being a Doctor if you can't find a Residency or even be a true clinician in the future after graduating? Just my .02 after making several trips to the PI and talking with a FP in the PI.