PM&R residency for carribean grad

Although it is progressively getting more competitive for foreign grads to match into PM&R, it is by no means impossible. With those board scores you should be competitive, particularly if you have done good clinical rotations in PM&R resulting in strong letters and preferably some research. Presenting a comprehensive application with demonstrated interest in the field still goes a long way.

As a IMG, you should consider applying to 20-30 programs with a variety of programs, strong, medium and other. Find programs that fit your interests and needs and offer the curriculum you are interested in pursuing. There are a lot of good programs that dont necessarily get the publicity of other place yet still provide excellent training. You might also consider finding out programs that have been historically friendly to IMGs.

 

Is there such thing as prematch in the PM&R World? Sorry, if it was a dumb question

 

Yes, some programs offer pre-match, but they usually dont advertise. You might find out which ones do so by word of mouth.

 

Def. possible for IMG to land PMR spot. I went to Saba U. and landed a spot at LSU. My steps were good (243, 219) and MSK background was generally a plus (chiropractor) but I also know of mistakes I made during the interview process. Let me just clarify though, I'm in no means upset about my LSU spot. LSU was my #4 spot but should have been my #2 (behind OSU...go buckeyes!!).
One mistake was NOT having a PMR rotation that included inpt PMR. My 4wks were completely outpt MSK kind of stuff (which is what I love). You gotta show that you've been exposed to BOTH inpt and outpt PMR and love it. Most new PMR residents are more attracted to the outpt MSK/injection/pain medicine side of PMR...but keep in mind, most of the interviewing attendings/program directors had a focus on inpt PMR (or so it seemed to me). So don't go into an interview with a 100% "i'm into outpt pmr" attitude. If you gotta stretch the truth about your interest in inpt PMR so be it.
Another mistake I made was having a laxidasical answer to "why PMR?" that u get at every interview. I thought my background in chiropractic was enough of an explanation of why I love MSK medicine. So come up with a great answer.
Boy did I get off on a tangent. But anyway, look at all my prior posts and find the one that has my entire interview summary on it (which places i got interviews, went to interviews, and ranked). Use that as a general guide as to who will give interviews to IMGs.
And let me know if u have any more questions.
Chris