preparing for clinical rotations, residency and beyond

[gc1983]

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im studying in europe and im in the 2nd year. I was wondering when would be the best time to start ringing up schools in the us about the possibilities available. clinics start in 2 years time...plus how easy is it for a IMG to get an internship and residency..which exams will i need etc?

cheers.

 

[doepug]

Hi -

It sounds like it will be a while before you'll be able to rotate in the US.

You shouldn't have a problem setting up clinical rotations, but most (if not all) American medical schools will require that you have completed some basic rotations first (medicine, surgery, peds, etc). If you won't be in the clinics for another 2 years, then it'll probably be 3 years before you'd be eligible to come here.

As far as post-graduate work, you'll need to pass the USMLE Steps 1 and 2 before applying for an internship. As an IMG, your scores will be important, and you will need to rock the exams. It may be realistic for you to do a residency in less-competitive fields (e.g. medicine). However, it will be virtually impossible for you to pursue more selective fields (e.g. radiology, plastics, neurosurgery, etc). You will also need to secure the necessary visas on your own before residency programs will even look at your application.

Good luck,
doepug

 

[gc1983]

thanks for the reply doepug, yeah i agree-its gonna be a lont itme..in my 4th year i'll do things like neurology, dermatology, cardiology etc but i think things like peds, and obgyn are in the 5th year.. with the way things are at my medschool a lot of the enquiries mus tbe done by the student.

are my scores in pre-clinical exams really important? are there any schools that encourage foreign students to do observerships , rotations etc.?