Postgrad training

[qtpie055]

Question. I was wondering if someone can fill me in on the basics of the US vs. UK medical training/career pathway.

I am thinking of doing my postgrad training (my residency) in the UK but not sure if there a direct equivalent in the UK or how that process goes. I know most medical courses in the UK are 5/6 years. Are the years after that equivalent to the US residency?

Also, does anyone know how loans transfer if I were to do my postgrad in the UK? Could I defer my loans like I would be able to defer my loans in residency here in the States?

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[cron0s]

The new system of UK postgraduate training consists of two stages. After graduation you do a 2 year foundation program followed by specialist training of 5+ years depending on specialty. Completion of the specialist training gives you entry to the specialist register and allows you to work as a consultant (US attending).

I think that unless you have completed all your specialist training in the UK you will still have to do a residency in the US in order to get a licence to practice. You should also be aware that unless you have EEA employment rights you may find it very hard to get a work permit for the UK.

 

[qtpie055]

i should clarify that the reason i might want to do postgrad training in the UK is b/c i might plan on residing there in the future. Any opinions/suggestions?

 

[cron0s]

Forgot to mention that if you qualified outside the EEA then you need to sit the PLAB test in order to be registered in the UK. This is taken after you graduate from the US. Visit the GMC website for all the details.

You don't say if you have EEA employment rights. If you can't get a work permit you aren't going to be able to do postgrad training in the UK. The UK government changed the rules this year making it much harder for overseas doctors to work in the UK. Again the GMC website has some guidance for IMGs looking to come to work in the UK.

 

[DrIng]

The BMJcareers website has info for foreign trained doctors and basically the gist of it is that you do the PLAB- 2 parts, takes about 6 months to get it all done and then you're going to find it very hard to find a job as a junior doctor because there's so much competition- in short you're probably better off training elsewhere and going to the UK once qualified, or at least through your basic training... Sorry to be so depressing but hte figures for graduates from non-EEA schools are not good- even if you're a citizen of the EU.