Practicing Abroad

Started by DevenirMedecin
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DevenirMedecin

DevenirMedecin

A smooth sea never made for a skillful sailor.
10+ Year Member
Question about the practice rights for a DO.
Can a DO physcian work with organizations like MSF (i.e. Doctors Without Borders)?

ALSO, does anyone have a clear explaination of practice rights per country, or have a good resource for such information?

Thank you!
 
There are copies of the practice rights list in various threads on here. I recommend you do a search.

Keep in mind that those practice rights are for doctors who permanently relocate to those countries to practice, not for short term relief/mission work.
 
Thank you both for your answers.

J-Rad: I've seen that resource, but it appears to be updated. I'm bummed about France, since it is a dream of mine to live and practice there.

Not being able to practice universally, worldwide, is the one thing that keeps me from being excited about going DO. Is there any sign that these limitations will be lifted?

If DOs are like MDs and then some, then why does adding manipulation to the standard medical education cause this limitation of practice rights? Or does manipulation make the difference? Is it because abroad osteopaths exisit, sine medical training?

Anyone care to explain?
 
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Because DOs in some other countries only do manipulation and are not physicians. The other issue is that many of the countries that do not license US trained DOs also do not license US or foreign trained MDs (or make it very difficult to get licensed).

This comes up frequently on SDN, but I really can't believe that a ton of medical students are truly planning on moving to other countries to practice (again, this does not include relief or mission work). If you are (ie: have family in another country) then it does make sense to do your homework and make sure you can be licensed to practice there, whether you are a US trained DO or MD.
 
You can do any type of relief work you want. Practicing permanently in another country, overrated. Best place to live, america.
 
DrMom: I do have family in Europe in fact and wanted to be able to live and work there some. But this talk is premature, I need to get into school and graduate first.

LastPolarBear: Have you lived anywhere besides America. Though I do agree with you to a limited extent, I have been fortunate enough to visit some beautiful places in Europe and still dream of living and working there.
 
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Many European countries make it very difficult for any foreign trained physician to practice. Be sure to do your homework on the MD side as well. I would recommend checking with the licensure board of whichever country you are interested in moving to and finding out what is involved in getting a license if you are foreign trained MD and DO before you commit to any US training.
 
https://www.do-online.org/index.cfm?PageID=lcl_main&au=A&SubPageID=lcl_interntnl

That is a map showing international priveliges. If you want to practice in Europe, train in Europe. A US MD/DO or any non-EU medical degree for that matter will put you at a distinct disadvantage to practice there. DOs can practice in Europe after the following criteria have been met A) no nationals can/will do the job or fill the position B) No EU members can/will do it C) You have the requisite credentials, which may include a residency within that nation. The odds are you will not practice internationally. This question comes up more often than people go abroad outside of PIH or Doctors without borders.
 
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