sigh, double threads now.
i'll respond to wolflarson's thread in time that's tailored for them (to help them with the questions they're asking), but does not derail hugo's thread.
So, you can maintain positivity.
That's your choice.
what i don't support is not providing all outlooks for premeds who have not yet had the experience to make that decision. Or saying that your outlook is right or best. When there is no right or wrong and every experience is individualistic (depends on your own personality, the school you attend, your background - are you from a rural one or not etc. and interests.).
So, giving premeds what information is out there for them to decide what is right for them. If they choose to be positive about their future prospects that is their right. If they choose to be negative. that is also their right. but IMO there must and should be a lot of thought, discussion and research that goes into their decisions to maintain resilience. a negative experience is a lasting one too, and i cannot guarantee that won't happen.
current laws and policy indicates that the VISA situation has changed. The government came out with a report that we're facing an oversupply of doctors in metropolitan areas (maldistribution in rural). there is a bottleneck situation that has been in existence for years in Australia.
The talk on Canadians not being able to get residencies has been out there for so so many years but having said that the 5 people that I know - 2 choose to stay there (2017 ) and 3 got matched back here in Canada. Rural pathway is the best way to go. Things could be changing in Australia but again if you do your research in this Forum that has been the talk forever. I hate to think if somebody had made a decision not to go to Australia 5,7 years ago thinking they won't match or won't get a spot in Australia only to know they likely would have made it. I have heard getting into Speciality is difficulty .
Good Luck
Indeed like you said - there are jobs if you decide to be a rural family doctor. This does not include subspecialties or surgery (as these paths in Australia rely on tertiary hospital training to some degree - you cannot wholly go rural for this type of training). However, not all premeds are either wanting this, or it's too early in their not-yet-started careers to decide.
The current visa situation is that current students may not be able to get a VISA that sets them on the PR pathway. PR is currently required to be eligible for many programs in order to finish residency. There's always the possibility that the policy could change. AMSA the student lobby or national representative body for medical students is working towards this.
Whatever comes of it, the reality is that anything can happen in the 4 years that you commit to attending an Australian school. Luck ensures that you graduate without being affected. if a policy changes I should hope that the current students will be saved of any negative impacts/experiences. They certainly couldn't have foreseen this when they started.
Majority of international students attending Australian schools will end up in primary care or rural medicine. Whether they stay in Australia or return home. Doesn't change the fact that returning to North America is a 50/50 shot if you get to the point of applying. There are exceptions, if some premeds and med students want to hold onto that, they can (and I know some always will).
Yes. You can match and be a doctor.
That is always a possibility and realistic one.
however, it doesn't change the challenges that occur constantly, training in a country that is not your own, with a different residency framework. Nor does it change the strong possibility that you may not have the outcome you originally wanted.
I'll be a broken record on this, but you have to have a very open mind to take the offshore pathway to your home country.
Lastly for this:
Check out this interesting report from HETI with regards to their 2016 Match. File too large to attach here unfortunately. Only 16 IMGs in the State of NSW were not accounted for and that's pretty good . Only 46 IMGs wasn't offered a spot on Jan 2016 and by April it was only 16. The 16 could have matched back to Canada, USA or perhaps they had other plans. All the IMGs that applied for Rural Preferential Pathway got into their 1st choice unlike their Domestic counterparts. So let's stay positive .
I can't tell if you're referring to the internship or something else.
Sure, everyone or most under current circumstances will get internship. Again, I'm arguing to the fact that currently, unless something changes, you'll get to do 2-4 years of residency in Australia after grad. But you'll have to leave after. Unless you're a rural family doctor. Reiterating as above, things could change. But this also an example of how quickly things can change in 4 years time.
Also you said rural pathways. Again, all for this. I think there needs to be more rural doctors. And there's certainly passionate students about this, which is great and they deserve a chance.
But unfortunately not all premeds realize this nor wanted this at least not in the beginning. They need to know this before they start. If they're okay with that, great. If not, then there are other avenues still open to them that does not involve going to Australia.
edited: for grammar and clarity.
