PhD before neuro residency

[Ranvier91]

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I need some feedback on this, I'll try and make it short

I'm an IMG from Argentina that will graduate this year. I'm interested in neurology (both research and clinic), however I'm 100% burned out with medicine. The career took a toll on me mentally and physically and I can't fathom diving into residency right now.

Since I'm also interested in research I found an interesting PhD in Neuroscience in Europe that I want to apply to (3 year degree).

I'm thinking about doing this:

Clear all the steps (1,CK,CS,3) and then apply for the PhD

My idea behind clearing all the steps before applying for the PhD is if I want to go back to clinical medicine. I want to leave that door open and I think it's best if I clear those tests now that all the info is fresh.

How would my chances to enter a neuro residency look if I do this?

Old USMLE scores (3 years) and being 3 years removed from clinical practice, but having accomplished a PhD in Neuroscience by then.

 

[typhoonegator]

Have you been practicing in Argentina? If not, you'll be three years removed from a training program that you never got to apply as a physician, in a different country. The PhD is fine, but more important to residencies is whether they think you can step in and do the job on day 1. Anything you can do to assure them of that will make your application more attractive.

 

[kchan99]

I'm an IMG from Argentina that will graduate this year. I'm interested in neurology (both research and clinic), however I'm 100% burned out with medicine. The career took a toll on me mentally and physically and I can't fathom diving into residency right now.

Many IMG's spent a couple years in postdoctoral fellowships in neurology groups on clinical research projects. These positions gave them research experience while they obtained US clinical experience. In some circumstances, some obtained training licenses from the state medical board for rotations within the neurology department.

I'm also concerned about your status of being "100% burned out with medicine." Some former colleagues with backgrounds in various non-surgical specialties in other countries who spent time in US postdoctoral fellowships and obtained US clinical experience have decided that neurology or internal medicine+subspecialty in the US are not suitable for them. I've learned through these colleagues that patient and family behaviors and expectations are vastly different in the US as compared to that in other countries, even in top academic medical centers. Note that these colleagues are in pathology and radiology in the US, but would be glad to practice in a non-surgical field with direct patient contact in another country.