European specialist in the US?

[euOrtho]

Ok, so first a quick background. I'm a European citizen who moved to the US a young child with his parents, we received our US citizenship, however my parents decided to move back to Europe (I was a high school sophomore then, so I didn't have much say in the matter). I finished my med school in Europe, and both my girlfriend (also an MD) and I have moved to Germany for our residency. I'm a 2nd year Ortho resident (out of 6 years), and she is a 2nd year Onco/Hemo resident. I currently plan on finishing my residency here, however I will be taking the STEPs in the next year or so, after this I would like to do a 1 year fellowship in the US.

The questions is whether or not I could stay and work as an Orthopod after this fellowship ? Are foreign specialists recognized anywhere in the US? Is there a different process for specialists? I have no problem taking more exams or anything, however going through residency again would slowly kill me.

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[evilbooyaa]

Ok, so first a quick background. I'm a European citizen who moved to the US a young child with his parents, we received our US citizenship, however my parents decided to move back to Europe (I was a high school sophomore then, so I didn't have much say in the matter). I finished my med school in Europe, and both my girlfriend (also an MD) and I have moved to Germany for our residency. I'm a 2nd year Ortho resident (out of 6 years), and she is a 2nd year Onco/Hemo resident. I currently plan on finishing my residency here, however I will be taking the STEPs in the next year or so, after this I would like to do a 1 year fellowship in the US.

The questions is whether or not I could stay and work as an Orthopod after this fellowship ? Are foreign specialists recognized anywhere in the US? Is there a different process for specialists? I have no problem taking more exams or anything, however going through residency again would slowly kill me.

I do not believe this is any longer an option. There are some grads who historically could come and do fellowship for 1-2 years and then work as an attending. I think there may be something if you do like 5 years of GME, be it as a resident or fellow (depending on the length of GME for a residency in that field).

I don't think there is a reliable way of doing this short of repeating your residency. I can't imagine there is a different process for specialists now.

 

[gutonc]

Ok, so first a quick background. I'm a European citizen who moved to the US a young child with his parents, we received our US citizenship, however my parents decided to move back to Europe (I was a high school sophomore then, so I didn't have much say in the matter). I finished my med school in Europe, and both my girlfriend (also an MD) and I have moved to Germany for our residency. I'm a 2nd year Ortho resident (out of 6 years), and she is a 2nd year Onco/Hemo resident. I currently plan on finishing my residency here, however I will be taking the STEPs in the next year or so, after this I would like to do a 1 year fellowship in the US.

The questions is whether or not I could stay and work as an Orthopod after this fellowship ? Are foreign specialists recognized anywhere in the US? Is there a different process for specialists? I have no problem taking more exams or anything, however going through residency again would slowly kill me.

There are a couple of different issues at play here. One is licensing and the other is BC/BE status.

As an IMG, you will need 1-3 years of post-graduate training (fellowship is fine, and the # of years is state dependent, most require 2 or 3) in order to get a license to practice medicine in the US. With a license, you can do whatever you can get someone to pay you and/or credential you to do.

The bigger problem is BC/BE status. Which you can't get without completing an ortho residency in the US (or Canada).

With your Steps a license and some PG training, you could probably find someone willing to hire you (VA, maybe an academic place if you've got a good niche), but you'll never be a BC orthopod without a US residency.

 

[Apollyon]

There's a guy from Greece who is our orthopod at my job, who did ortho in Greece, then did his hand/upper ext fellowship in NYC. He works with us, under the umbrella of an academic appointment. I don't know how long he has been here, but it is about 6 years. He bills MC and insurance, and it all works, but I don't know the specifics. He also goes back to Greece once a year, every summer, and we are uncovered for that whole month (the hospital won't spring for locums).

 

[NotAProgDirector]

As mentioned above, the ACGME changed it's rules in the last 2 years. Now, to do a fellowship, you need to have done a US residency first. You can get an exception but this needs to be approved by the institution -- so it can be done, but usually you need to prove that you're "exceptional" in some way -- either by publications, clinical skills, etc. As mentioned you'd need 3 years of US GME in most states.