Need help with my Dads Residency

[Foot&ankleguy]

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Hey guys! I apologize for posting this here but I figuired this would have a better turn out for replies than the international thread, its kinda dead in the Mexican international section. My dad is 50 years old he has been practicing medicine in Mexico for over 20+ years, did OBGYN stuff over there and then ran his general practice for a long time. My parents are planning to move to florida and my dad wants to practice Family medicine in miami. He is currently studying for the USMLE step 1, is there anything specific he needs to gain this residency, what are his chances at his age and are there any extra requirements he would have to complete to do this? How does he go about FULL licensure in Florida. We just want to know the process, I'm in podiatry so I dont really know much about how that stuff works for MDs. Thank you all in advanced for your replies.

Kind regards,
Foot&ankle

 

[mspeedwagon]

I'm an incoming med student, but know several folks that have gone through the process of coming over from other countries. Your dad is going to need to take all the Steps and score at or above average and then can apply for residency. There are lots of blogs that outline the process. Just search for FMG path to US residency. Many programs screen for recency of medical school education so that may be an issue. Here is one blog: http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2013/09/03...reign-medical-graduates-path-to-us-residency/.

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

I'm an incoming med student, but know several folks that have gone through the process of coming over from other countries. Your dad is going to need to take all the Steps and score at or above average and then can apply for residency. There are lots of blogs that outline the process. Just search for FMG path to US residency. Many programs screen for recency of medical school education so that may be an issue. Here is one blog: http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2013/09/03...reign-medical-graduates-path-to-us-residency/.

Thank you for your reply, yeah I pretty much told him he has to do really well on the steps in order to score a residency. He was just really worried that age could be an issue for them accepting him. I think him having a lot of experience helps, but who knows lol

 

[mspeedwagon]

Several folks I know were long removed from med school, but did really well on the steps (240+) and had no issues at all. Step score is probably the bigger issue of the two.

Thank you for your reply, yeah I pretty much told him he has to do really well on the steps in order to score a residency. He was just really worried that age could be an issue for them accepting him. I think him having a lot of experience helps, but who knows lol

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

Several folks I know were long removed from med school, but did really well on the steps (240+) and had no issues at all. Step score is probably the bigger issue of the two.

Thats a great thing to hear, I told my dad anything above a 230 would be good, thats what I got from reading the carribbean forums. He speaks English really well, hes an American citizen he just moved to mexico many years ago to practice medicine over there since my moms family lives there.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Moving to ERAS/NRMP forum.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Since your father is a foreign medical grad, he will have to obtain an ECFMG certificate to enter residency training in this country. This will entail him taking the USMLE Step 1 and both parts of Step 2 CS/CK. He will need medical school transcripts with English translation and copies of his diploma. The ECFMG website will walk you through the process: www.ecfmg.org He will need letters of reference from other physicians, preferably US physicians (or at the very least, US trained) attesting to his suitability for a US medical practice.

Once he has completed the requirements to obtain an ECFMG certificate, he can then register for the US residency match: http://www.nrmp.org

As noted here, he will need at least 2 years of residency training in the US to be eligible for a Florida medical license.

While his age may be a detriment as his year of graduation, Family Medicine is notoriously generous about considering late starters and career changers, so depending on his USMLE scores he may be an attractive candidate. The issue with FMGs and "experience" is that *some* may have difficulty taking orders from residents decades younger than them and refuse to learn to do things in a new fashion, feeling that they "know better". So just be cautioned that this can be a stumbling block for some vintage physicians. 😉

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

Since your father is a foreign medical grad, he will have to obtain an ECFMG certificate to enter residency training in this country. This will entail him taking the USMLE Step 1 and both parts of Step 2 CS/CK. He will need medical school transcripts with English translation and copies of his diploma. The ECFMG website will walk you through the process: www.ecfmg.org He will need letters of reference from other physicians, preferably US physicians (or at the very least, US trained) attesting to his suitability for a US medical practice.

Once he has completed the requirements to obtain an ECFMG certificate, he can then register for the US residency match: http://www.nrmp.org

As noted here, he will need at least 2 years of residency training in the US to be eligible for a Florida medical license.

While his age may be a detriment as his year of graduation, Family Medicine is notoriously generous about considering late starters and career changers, so depending on his USMLE scores he may be an attractive candidate. The issue with FMGs and "experience" is that *some* may have difficulty taking orders from residents decades younger than them and refuse to learn to do things in a new fashion, feeling that they "know better". So just be cautioned that this can be a stumbling block for some vintage physicians. 😉

What an amazing response, thank you so much for your reply. I will relay this exact message to my father, this sounds encouraging and uplifting, he really needs that. Thank you again.

 

[the argus]

Another issue no one has mentioned is geographic considerations. Most IMGs must apply very broadly geographically to have a good chance of matching. Would your dad (or both parents) be okay moving to rural Ohio or NYC for 3 years to complete a residency? This is something they must consider before starting the whole process.

 

[Foot&ankleguy]

Another issue no one has mentioned is geographic considerations. Most IMGs must apply very broadly geographically to have a good chance of matching. Would your dad (or both parents) be okay moving to rural Ohio or NYC for 3 years to complete a residency? This is something they must consider before starting the whole process.

They live near the border of mexico, constant drug fueds and shoot outs are a common occurence where they are. At this point my parents are willing to go anywhere as long as it means income and job security for them.

 

[Winged Scapula]

They live near the border of mexico, constant drug fueds and shoot outs are a common occurence where they are. At this point my parents are willing to go anywhere as long as it means income and job security for them.

That's good (the flexibility, not the crime). He will have to be flexible about where he is willing to go for training and that may mean somewhere very far from Florida (although there is nothing stopping them from moving to Florida after completion of training).

 

[asmith1121]

Hi, just also wanted to remind you that there are often "prelim" medicine and surgery spots you can get for a year, that are even easier to get. I know people who have gotten categorical spots that way. But if he really just wants to get out of Mexico- it would be worth even doing surgery for a year, he'd get a recommendation and prove he's still got the stamina. Praying for him!!! I hope he does great on usmle (tell him to download Kaplan, it's the best)!! And I hope he gets a spot! Let us know!

 

[Tired]

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[j4pac]

Retaking the USMLE 1? Ouch. I wish your dad the best of luck! He really is an inspiration. I'm sure that he will do well on Step 2 and 3...but that Step 1 is probably going to make or break him. I am about 5 years removed from medical school and I know that I would have to work my butt off to relearn all of the step 1 material.