Foreign Anesthesiologist coming to the US?

[AnesdoSA]

Hello,

I recently just finished my residency in South Africa and am now an anesthesiologist. I am considering moving to the United States to practice, but was wondering how difficult that would be. I know that I must take the USMLE I and II and complete another residency, but I was wondering how difficult is it to get into an anesthesiology residency in the US? Will they count some of my training in SA and let me advance or will they make me start from the bottom? Also I have been told that once I am licensed in the state of Arizona I must also complete a one year internship in addition to the residency in anesthesiology. Is this true? I also was wondering would it be better to apply for residency after I have my green card or before as I have a relative who will sponsor me in the US, would this help me? Sorry for all the questions, but this is a big decision that I am making.

Cheers,

Naomi

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[211498]

If you can get a green card: Go for it, it will definitely help!

You might be interested in this:
http://www.theaba.org/pdf/Alt%20Entry%20Path_Entry%20into%20ABA%20Primary%20Exam%20System_01.29.07.pdf

AFAIK FMGs, who follow this path, start with a fellowship (IIRC you can only do no-ACGME certified fellowships like regional anesthesia or neuroanesthesia) and then work three years as a "junior-attending".

 

[cfdavid]

Naomi,

I can't help you here, but can you elaborate why you wish to leave SA?? If you can (or are willing to), be as specific as possible.

Thanks,

cf

 

[2win]

Naomi,

I can't help you here, but can you elaborate why you wish to leave SA?? If you can (or are willing to), be as specific as possible.

Thanks,

cf

I'm not Naomi - but life in SA sucks (this is by my Afrikaners friends).
Yes - you'll do fine - send me a PM and I'll show you the road to success.
And this one is relative too - see Mobama changes.
Check up EU too before to commit to USA.
2win

 

[hoyden]

Hi, Naomi,

I am a foreign trained anesthesiologist now practicing in the US, so can give you some heads up on your plan:
1. Start preparing for your USMLE steps NOW - you will have to get good scores ( and no attempts) and you will have to pass step 1, step 2CK, step2 CS, step 3 - not only 1 and 2. Do not loose time waiting for GC - it will also take some time for steps prep, so you may wish to use that time wisely.
2. Continue working as anesthesiologist in South Africa while you are preparing - gaps in your CV are not going to be a plus when applying for residency - your anesthesiology background ( plus good scores and GC) - will.
3. In order to be board eligible in the US you will have to finish 4 years of residency, including an internship. It may also make your life much easier for any licensing in the future.
4. Good Luck!

Hello,

I recently just finished my residency in South Africa and am now an anesthesiologist. I am considering moving to the United States to practice, but was wondering how difficult that would be. I know that I must take the USMLE I and II and complete another residency, but I was wondering how difficult is it to get into an anesthesiology residency in the US? Will they count some of my training in SA and let me advance or will they make me start from the bottom? Also I have been told that once I am licensed in the state of Arizona I must also complete a one year internship in addition to the residency in anesthesiology. Is this true? I also was wondering would it be better to apply for residency after I have my green card or before as I have a relative who will sponsor me in the US, would this help me? Sorry for all the questions, but this is a big decision that I am making.

Cheers,

Naomi

 

[AnesdoSA]

Naomi,

I can't help you here, but can you elaborate why you wish to leave SA?? If you can (or are willing to), be as specific as possible.

Thanks,

cf

I want to leave South Africa because it has become to dangerous for me to live here. I have had my car broken into twice in the same year and my house has also been robbed. I also have friends that live close by that have had family members murdered by intruders. I know that robbery happens in every country, but not as often as it does in South Africa. Another reason is that most of my family has moved to the US so I really have little close family left to stay here for.

 

[cfdavid]

I want to leave South Africa because it has become to dangerous for me to live here. I have had my car broken into twice in the same year and my house has also been robbed. I also have friends that live close by that have had family members murdered by intruders. I know that robbery happens in every country, but not as often as it does in South Africa. Another reason is that most of my family has moved to the US so I really have little close family left to stay here for.

I know crime is widespread in SA. This crosses all ethnic lines in that diverse country, but seems to be particularly troublesome amongst the Afrikaaner farmers (the "Boers", as you know).

To such an extent that many of the white farm murders are meeting criteria for genocide.... However, this gets little attention in the world media, it seems.

My prediction? SA---->Zimbabwe in 10-15 years max.

For those unfamiliar with this situation, just keep an eye on it. You can catch biased and unbiased opinions and news via Youtube. Also, look into the "land reforms" that has gone on(and continues to) in Zimbabwe and how that's "benefited" the people. There are many in the ANC whose aim is to implement Zimbabwean-style "land redistribution" in SA. This will be the nail in the coffin.

 

[Licoricestick]

I want to leave South Africa because it has become to dangerous for me to live here. I have had my car broken into twice in the same year and my house has also been robbed. I also have friends that live close by that have had family members murdered by intruders. I know that robbery happens in every country, but not as often as it does in South Africa. Another reason is that most of my family has moved to the US so I really have little close family left to stay here for.

Considered Australia?
I'm really impressed with the South African trained bosses I work for. There are about 4 of them in the department I work in at the moment, and plenty of others around the country.

Info on IMGs wishing to become specialist anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand can be found here on the ANZCA website.

Depending on your experience and training you may need to sit our final exam and complete some supervised training, but it sounds easier than redoing all your qualifications to be certified in the US.

 

[Intensivist]

Considered Australia?
I'm really impressed with the South African trained bosses I work for. There are about 4 of them in the department I work in at the moment, and plenty of others around the country.

Info on IMGs wishing to become specialist anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand can be found here on the ANZCA website.

Depending on your experience and training you may need to sit our final exam and complete some supervised training, but it sounds easier than redoing all your qualifications to be certified in the US.

Do you by any chance know what are the chances of someone who has European diploma in anaesthetics and ICU to come and work in Australia?

 

[Licoricestick]

Do you by any chance know what are the chances of someone who has European diploma in anaesthetics and ICU to come and work in Australia?

I know it can be done - can't quote chances and what additional training/supervision requirements there would be are up to the college (see the link I included in my previous post). Much less common than English speaking commonwealth countries (cause it adds in the extra layer of work to prove competence in the language, and there is often less commonality in med school and training requirements so I think it's harder to prove equivalence). More commonly I've seen people from the UK who generally come over after completely part (generally up to passing the FRCA exam so they don't have to resit the primary exam here) or all of their training. Other common places: South Africa and subcontinent.

 

[dhb]

You will have to do 4 "sponsored" years. This can be done by doing a residency nut you'll have to go through the usmle crap. Or you can work as a junior attending at an academic center for 4 year this pathway is not advertised but it exists.

 

[211498]

It is advertised, just follow the link that I already posted. But you'll still have to do the USMLE to be BE after the four years.

 

[hoyden]

The USMLEs have to be done no matter what - you will need ECFMG certificate in order to get a license to practice medicine ( and to fulfill the requirements of the alternate pathway).
Residency could be skipped in some academia, however there would be problems with board eligibility - have had 2 of attendings of this kind in my program - none was ABA certified. Problems may arise if one of the convoluted requirements of the ABA alternate path is not fulfilled - and that might be very dependent on your department and it's chair. If your home country residency training in anesthesiology is less than that in the US - you are not eligible for this pathway( means you will not be BE, you still may work as a junior attending without residency training).

 

[dhb]

My bad for the USMLE then

 

[chocomorsel]

I would check out EU countries or Australia and New Zealand. They don't have near the gun crimes like they do in the U.S. All that crap happening to you in SA could as well happen to you here with all these guns people are wielding because it's their "Right" to bear arms. I'd better stop there because there are some gun crazy folk on this forum. Just look up murder rates/random gun shootings between the U.S and EU and see what I'm talking about. Our statistics are much much lower than SA but still much higher than EU countries. I'm planning an exit in the next 5-10 myself for many reasons, one of them being this issue.

 

[IlDestriero]

I would check out EU countries or Australia and New Zealand. They don't have near the gun crimes like they do in the U.S. All that crap happening to you in SA could as well happen to you here with all these guns people are wielding because it's their "Right" to bear arms. I'd better stop there because there are some gun crazy folk on this forum. Just look up murder rates/random gun shootings between the U.S and EU and see what I'm talking about. Our statistics are much much lower than SA but still much higher than EU countries. I'm planning an exit in the next 5-10 myself for many reasons, one of them being this issue.

I don't think anyone's been murdered in my town for 20 years. There were 3 police cars responding to a homeless guy the other day. The city 20 minutes away may as well be a different country. Yes, I do have to drive there, on the highway. As close to no risk as you can get.

 

[hoyden]

I would check out EU countries or Australia and New Zealand. They don't have near the gun crimes like they do in the U.S. All that crap happening to you in SA could as well happen to you here with all these guns people are wielding because it's their "Right" to bear arms. I'd better stop there because there are some gun crazy folk on this forum. Just look up murder rates/random gun shootings between the U.S and EU and see what I'm talking about. Our statistics are much much lower than SA but still much higher than EU countries. I'm planning an exit in the next 5-10 myself for many reasons, one of them being this issue.

With no intense to offend ( honestly) you - haven't read such a BS for quite a time...
Such crimes which are happening to the OP have nothing to do with the right to bear arms - criminals in all countries and societies have guns and couldn't care less about the laws allowing or prohibiting them. It's the law abiding citizens who benefit from the Second Amendment.

Do you live in a ghetto?

 

[2win]

I would check out EU countries or Australia and New Zealand. They don't have near the gun crimes like they do in the U.S. All that crap happening to you in SA could as well happen to you here with all these guns people are wielding because it's their "Right" to bear arms. I'd better stop there because there are some gun crazy folk on this forum. Just look up murder rates/random gun shootings between the U.S and EU and see what I'm talking about. Our statistics are much much lower than SA but still much higher than EU countries. I'm planning an exit in the next 5-10 myself for many reasons, one of them being this issue.

Hey my friend...
So you don't like our Constitution then.
I will happy to cheap in to your ticket for the socialist world.
Regards,
2win

 

[chocomorsel]

Sorry, double post.

 

[chocomorsel]

I will make sure to look for you then when ready to buy my ticket. Thanks for the offer. And learn some proper english please.

 

[chocomorsel]

With no intense to offend ( honestly) you - haven't read such a BS for quite a time...
Such crimes which are happening to the OP have nothing to do with the right to bear arms - criminals in all countries and societies have guns and couldn't care less about the laws allowing or prohibiting them. It's the law abiding citizens who benefit from the Second Amendment.

Do you live in a ghetto?

No, I live in the suburbs. I had no idea that gun crimes were SOLELY confined to the ghetto. Please educate me.

It is a fact that this country puts many guns in the wrong people's hands because we are so liberal about gun control. And in fact, even the "right" sane people lose control and get angry sometimes and commit crimes with guns that would have otherwise been to a much less degree than without a gun. Just watch the news. And again, look up statistics before you call it B.S. And in many countries with tight gun control you just can't go to a gun show and purchase a gun. I am from Texas and know it's friggin easy to get one legally at a gun show.

But go ahead and hunt away and go to a gun range and play with all your guns. And next time you watch the news about some other random school/neighborhood/work shooting because someone got mad at their dog/spouse/boss and lost it and took innocent lives with him/her, think about this.

They just had a random shooting in England just last month and that was the first one in about a decade while crap like that happens here at least every few months in this wonderful first world country of ours. So please, spare me.

Anyway, the OP can go live anywhere he wants. Just letting him/her know that EU countries and Australia and New Zealand have much less gun violence than we do in the U.S if he's concerned about that being that he's from SA. That's a straight fact.

 

[chocomorsel]

I don't think anyone's been murdered in my town for 20 years. There were 3 police cars responding to a homeless guy the other day. The city 20 minutes away may as well be a different country. Yes, I do have to drive there, on the highway. As close to no risk as you can get.

Well, all I can say is lucky you.

 

[IlDestriero]

Well, all I can say is lucky you.

That's the real America, Chief. Texas isn't a warzone either. People are crazy, people are stupid, but I worry INFINITELY more about soccer moms in their 2 ton SUVs and minivans on their cell phones texting, surfing, and checking their makeup. They're a much much MUCH greater threat to my family and I.
Making ANY comparison to violence in Africa is beyond ridiculous. Go hide in your bomb shelter until you finally make enough to get to Europe. I fancy Oz myself, we'll have to see how it all pans out.
PS 2win's Enlgish may be a little rough, but it seems that he's making more sense than you.🙄 Poking fun at another persons English and grammar is a rather weak argument booster and it makes you sound childish. Remember Eta?

 

[chocomorsel]

That's the real America, Chief. Texas isn't a warzone either. People are crazy, people are stupid, but I worry INFINITELY more about soccer moms in their 2 ton SUVs and minivans on their cell phones texting, surfing, and checking their makeup. They're a much much MUCH greater threat to my family and I.
Making ANY comparison to violence in Africa is beyond ridiculous. Go hide in your bomb shelter until you finally make enough to get to Europe. I fancy Oz myself, we'll have to see how it all pans out.
PS 2win's Enlgish may be a little rough, but it seems that he's making more sense than you.🙄 Poking fun at another persons English and grammar is a rather weak argument booster and it makes you sound childish. Remember Eta?

Yeah, I remember Eta. What's your point? Am I gonna get banned for pointing out the facts? And for telling someone to go learn some English? If he's so pro American maybe he should learn some proper English. Please. I'm shaking in my boots.

Facts are facts. They are out there, do a search, watch/read the news. I don't care. 2/3's of homicides are due to guns in the U.S, mostly handguns. Can't hide from that and the fact that those numbers would be much lower if this country wasn't so liberal with guns. But hell, it's likely too late. Now everybody seems to think they need a gun to protect themselves from the next person with a gun. Heck, maybe one day I'll have to purchase one myself and hope I don't get pissed off at the wrong person at the wrong time.

And no I don't live in fear of getting shot, I just have a healthy respect for the facts is all.

 

[da8s0859q]

I would check out EU countries or Australia and New Zealand. They don't have near the gun crimes like they do in the U.S. All that crap happening to you in SA could as well happen to you here with all these guns people are wielding because it's their "Right" to bear arms. I'd better stop there because there are some gun crazy folk on this forum. ... I'm planning an exit in the next 5-10 myself for many reasons, one of them being this issue.

Can't hide from that and the fact that those numbers would be much lower if this country wasn't so liberal with guns.

I'm just a lowly med student who reads here from time to time, but let's not forget that this country has tons of people who legally own weapons and even carry them as permitted by the state, but you would never know it -- because we're not the ones about whom you need to worry. Don't confuse the vocal "right to bear arms" crowd with the "I have a gun because I'm billy bad-ass, tough guy, etc." idiots who shouldn't be carrying anything more dangerous than a ballpoint pen.

I hope I never have to touch a sidearm in self-defense, and minor events notwithstanding, I count myself fortunate to have had only a couple hair-raising-on-back-of-neck incidents in my life thus far. Problem is, there are still evil people in this world, and I can't carry a concealed police officer.

Making guns illegal would mean that the only potential gun owners would be the ones who don't give a flying **** about the definition of the word "illegal", like the criminals who already have them!

 

[211498]

No offence, but the OP was asking about ways, for a foreign trained anesthesiologist, to come to the US and work in his/her specialty, maybe we can continue to discuss this and maybe some members who went through this procedure can contribute.
Please confine the gun discussion to the numerous threads already existing about this topic.