Practicing Medicine in Europe

[runnermed]

I was wondering how one goes about practicing medicine in Europe (I'm American). Of course there is actually finding a job and all but is there a special test that needs to be taken or a certification obtained? Are there residencies that are better than others for setting up a job after residency is completed? I know that there are many schools that allow one to practice oversees during years 3 and 4. I am currently studying for the mcat, and am looking to narrow down schools that may be apply to facilitate this. I realize that this might be better placed in the Pre-allo forum, but I am hoping that people on here actually in school can give be some ideas of schools to apply to that have a track record or oppurtunities for this. Thank you for all your help and good luck in your studies this year and in the future!

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[leorl]

It depends where you go. It isn't very easy to set up practice in Europe. First, yes...depending on where you go, you will most likely have to take their series of licensing exams (i.e. PLAB for UK), plus membership exams during residency. Also, it isn't easy to be accepted as a non-EU employee...gaining a work visa is pretty difficult. And while you may get one eventually, it will be harder to advance to the top level of practice. However, there are Americans practicing elsewhere...a lot of them went to EU schools. It's an uncertain road.

 

[CaptainJack02]

I was wondering how one goes about practicing medicine in Europe (I'm American). Of course there is actually finding a job and all but is there a special test that needs to be taken or a certification obtained? Are there residencies that are better than others for setting up a job after residency is completed? I know that there are many schools that allow one to practice oversees during years 3 and 4. I am currently studying for the mcat, and am looking to narrow down schools that may be apply to facilitate this. I realize that this might be better placed in the Pre-allo forum, but I am hoping that people on here actually in school can give be some ideas of schools to apply to that have a track record or oppurtunities for this. Thank you for all your help and good luck in your studies this year and in the future!

columbia is particularly great for this..harvard/columbia/iowa carver and some others have an agreement with danish/swedish(karolinska in stockholm)/other intl schools that sends students over there during ms3 and 4. but you have to be fluent in the country's language as well as english. plus there's that little detail about getting into harvard/columbia.

good luck getting work permits, nevermind establishing a practice, in the EU. everyone wants to go to these socially advanced countries but therein lies the problem - they are so self sufficient that they don't need/want outsiders to enter their societies...good luck though, it'd be a great exp if it works out...

 

[tupac_don]

I was wondering how one goes about practicing medicine in Europe (I'm American). Of course there is actually finding a job and all but is there a special test that needs to be taken or a certification obtained? Are there residencies that are better than others for setting up a job after residency is completed? I know that there are many schools that allow one to practice oversees during years 3 and 4. I am currently studying for the mcat, and am looking to narrow down schools that may be apply to facilitate this. I realize that this might be better placed in the Pre-allo forum, but I am hoping that people on here actually in school can give be some ideas of schools to apply to that have a track record or oppurtunities for this. Thank you for all your help and good luck in your studies this year and in the future!

If you wanna go to a real good school in Europe, consider going to Yugoslavia. They just opened a new University that is run by a Dean from Rush university. Apparently it is supposed to mimick the American system and not be like European style schools. As well finishing med school there will allow you to take USMLE I and II. And they will prepare you so that in second year you would take USMLE I. It's gonna be a very American style school. As well, you will be training at top facilities that is run by the army and has the most advanced equipment over there, which is equivalent to equipment here, they are not backward. If you are seriously thinking about a good program strongly consider this one. Best of luck.

 

[Frijolero]

Im in a similar situation in that I want to practice in Europe, especially Spain. I even gave some thought to the military scholarships just to have a better shot at it. Gave that idea up, but now I'm looking into trying to work for the military (as a civilian) after I'm done with residency. I know they fill some vacant spots with civilian contractors, but I don't know if that extends into the medical field. Anyone know?

-Frijolero

 

[efex101]

It is going to be pretty hard to be able to set up practice and work in Spain good luck though.

 

[Frijolero]

It is going to be pretty hard to be able to set up practice and work in Spain good luck though.

Im not suggesting that I want to set up practice in the traditional sense nor work within the Spanish system. I know that is damn near impossible. What I am trying to do is work at the naval base in Rota, or elsewhere in Spain (if there is another US military installation). Doing so would not require me to pass any extra exams or apply for a work visa which I would be extremely unlikely to get. Who knows how long that base will be there, though, as I last I heard the Spanish were considering booting the U.S. when the lease was up. How long have you been away from Madrid? Go back much? That city is a blast, though I don't know how many long nights at capital, soul kitchen, etc. I would spend the second time around.

-Frijolero

 

[efex101]

I try to go to Madrid at least every other year. This summer I will spend my whole break (only 6 weeks) in Alicante and Madrid. Yeah, I see what you are trying to do...with the military thing. Rota will be there for some time IMHO...but who knows with the new socialist government in Spain they may actually boot us out but I seriously doubt it. Also the AF has the base in Zaragoza....

 

[jrllusom2008]

I am American and a first year and would love to be able to practice some day in the UK. Anybody know what is required to do be able to do that?

Thanks!

 

[doc05]

European doctors don't make squat, so why bother with all the hassles?

 

[phoenixsupra]

European doctors don't make squat, so why bother with all the hassles?

Not true. In many cases they make more.

 

[johnny_blaze]

European doctors don't make squat, so why bother with all the hassles?

Hahaha, that’s so not true! You can make more money in some specialties in the U.K do to the increased NHS waiting times driving more and more people to private practice. Maxfacs and ENT stand out in my mind at the moment averaging 300k annually in pounds sterling! Convert that to dollars and that’s some serious cash. However, hospital based specialties (ie. Radiology) don’t make anywhere near what their U.S counterparts make.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the U.K I suggest you pick up a book called “So you want to be a brain surgeon” by Chris ward and Simon Eccles (do an Amazon search). It’s got good info on how long it takes to train and how much you can expect to earn in each specialty on NHS pay alone or with some private work.

 

[leorl]

Working in the EU/UK is about as easy as them working over here. You will most probably have to repeat training (i.e. internship and residency over again) unless you've really established yourself in your field. You'll also probably have to take their standardized exams (i.e. PLAB for the UK), plus dealing with the whole non-EU working visa thing. In health care, being non-EU doesn't seem to present that much of a problem, as there might be hospitals/programs willing to sponsor you. However, there could be a bias in advancement in that non-EUs and really, non-nationals will not progress up the career ladder as quickly as their native counterparts and may indeed experience some discrimination in that regard.

 

[toxin]

If you wanna go to a real good school in Europe, consider going to Yugoslavia. They just opened a new University that is run by a Dean from Rush university. Apparently it is supposed to mimick the American system and not be like European style schools. As well finishing med school there will allow you to take USMLE I and II. And they will prepare you so that in second year you would take USMLE I. It's gonna be a very American style school. As well, you will be training at top facilities that is run by the army and has the most advanced equipment over there, which is equivalent to equipment here, they are not backward. If you are seriously thinking about a good program strongly consider this one. Best of luck.

Yugoslavia?! you must be mistaken since that country does not exist anymore. But if you are refering to Serbia by any chance than you are in for a rude awakening, I wouldnt recommend going there.

 

[BellKicker]

I was wondering how one goes about practicing medicine in Europe (I'm American). Of course there is actually finding a job and all but is there a special test that needs to be taken or a certification obtained?

Runnermed,

Europe's a really big place. Every country has it's own little rules and tests. Nevertheless, the biggest hurdle will be to learn the language (except in UK and Ireland, of course).

Also, some countries are big IMG importers, such as UK and Scandinavia, but some, like Germany, produce enough local grads to fill the ranks.

I'd suggest you pick one country and go from there.

On a side note, I couldn't help notice that we have related screen names. If there's one thing I will miss about Europe (I'm doing the exact opposite of you; moving to the US in a month!) it's the running circuit. In my late twenties, I'm able to run competitively for a club team on the track against other towns' clubs on a weekly basis. Just like college in the US. That sort of sports culture, unfortunately, just doesn't exist in the US right now.

Good Luck.

 

[leorl]

I know bellkicker, I'll really miss that too. I'm in one of the best rowing clubs of my life at the moment, and I really don't see it continuing after I earn my degree ;[. I mean, I'd join a club...but it just won't be the same, there won't be that same level of competition or same committment. Unless I go to the east coast.

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

Im not suggesting that I want to set up practice in the traditional sense nor work within the Spanish system. I know that is damn near impossible. What I am trying to do is work at the naval base in Rota, or elsewhere in Spain (if there is another US military installation). Doing so would not require me to pass any extra exams or apply for a work visa which I would be extremely unlikely to get. Who knows how long that base will be there, though, as I last I heard the Spanish were considering booting the U.S. when the lease was up. How long have you been away from Madrid? Go back much? That city is a blast, though I don't know how many long nights at capital, soul kitchen, etc. I would spend the second time around.

-Frijolero

to hell with kapital, coyote lounge is where it's at.