electives/research

[goniolens]

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Congratulations to all those who matched this year. It seems like it's becoming even more difficult to match every year!

I'll be applying this year, and I'm wondering about which programs to apply to for electives. Are there any programs out there that are known to be more friendly to IMGs (UK medical school)?

I'm absolutly crazy about ophtho (no 2nd choices here!) but have no research experience. I read somewhere that this is almost a necessary thing nowadays.
Is research an absolute must for an IMG (though American)? Should I even apply this year or just try to do a year of research before applying?
(Step 1 235+)

Thanks.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Welcome to the forum!

You should check out Iowa for an away rotation. We're nice to visiting students. 🙂 There is a student from the UK here now, and last summer there was another one from the UK.

http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu

I recommend contacting one of the attendings in your area of interest. I suggest neuro-op, which is an excellent rotation for medical students!

 

[DireWolf]

Interesting how Iowa lets FMGs and IMGs rotate there but not DOs.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by DireWolf
Interesting how Iowa lets FMGs and IMGs rotate there but not DOs.

I'm not aware of any policy that excludes DOs from rotating at Iowa. We have DOs from family practice rotate through the ophthalmology department all the time.

I've spoken to faculty and consideration is given to all MD and DO applicants. However, there are students who may be turned down because of the overwhelming requests to complete an away rotation at Iowa. I encourage those who are interested in completing a rotation at Iowa contact a faculty member in the field that interests them.

Good luck!

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Sorry for my ignorance on this topic, but it's amazing how I learn something because of this forum.

I've spoken to the coordinator for medical student affairs and clinical coordinator here in the department. Here is what I learned.

It's a University policy to only allow medical students from LCME accredited programs (http://www.lcme.org/) to do away rotations here. This is NOT a department policy, but rather a policy established by the School of Medicine. For residency training, both DO and MD candidates are considered.

The one exception is Oxford. This is where the other two students from the UK studied.

If you're from a program that is not LCME accredited, then you can't complete a clinical rotation in any department at The University of Iowa.

 

[DireWolf]

My point exactly. Ironic because Iowa does have several DOs in their residency programs, and there is a DO school in Iowa. I called last summer inquiring about a visiting rotation and was rudely told that "we don't let you guys rotate here."

Fortunately this is the exception rather than the rule at programs around the country. However, DOs should not be shocked when they are not allowed to rotate through some programs despite a significant number of them in the residency program.

P.S. Sorry to hijack your thread for awhile, goniolens.

 

[goniolens]

Thanks Andrew.

It seems like a lot of programs have a similar restriction in relation to electives and IMGs.

I wonder if you have any info about pre-residency fellowships. Is there any listing of all the programs that offer them?
Is pathology the only area where one can do a pre-residency fellowship?

Thanks in advance.
This forum is a gem. 🙂

 

[Andrew_Doan]

www.sfmatch.org lists some pre-residency fellowship positions. However, I don't know of a site that lists available positions. You may have to call individual programs.

I met a fellow today who is an IMG, and he is completing a pre-residency fellowship in pediatrics. At Hopkins, there were IMGs doing a fellowship in eye genetics. I encourage you to call the larger research programs and inquire about research and pre-residency fellowships.