Surgery residency & IMGs

[OHaq]

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1.How difficult is it for IMGs (International / Foreign Medical Graduates) to find positions in General Surgery residency programmes?.
2.Are IMGs only offered perliminary positions in Surgery?
3.What would you advise an IMG who is looking for a position in General Surgery?

 

[Celiac Plexus]

1. Not that hard. Supposedly cat gen surg was filled with 83 US seniors. I guess the other 17% consists of FMGs, & US grads. That's roughtly 170+ slots.

2. See #1. There are a lot more unfilled prelim surgery years than cat so you could probably grab one of these if you want one. I think it's a decent way to wiggle yourself in to a categorical track if you do well during the prelim year. Ay my univ this year an FMG prelim was offerred a cat slot that opened up.

3. The usual advice: do the best you can in your courses, and Step I.

 

[lucas]

Although your stats are on target Celiac Plexus, the question is how many are Americans from foreign school (ie: caribbean schools) or real IMGs with citizenship in other countries. I agree that a high score on USMLE I will help, but also the name and reputation of the program. (Israel and Ireland tend to do better than Caribbean schools). If you are a foriegn citizen, it helps to speak English fluently.

 

[Castro Viejo]

Originally posted by Celiac Plexus
1. Not that hard. Supposedly cat gen surg was filled with 83 US seniors. I guess the other 17% consists of FMGs, & US grads. That's roughtly 170+ slots.

I wonder if by "US Senior," they mean someone who is graduating that year and is applying for the first time to General Surgery residency. If that were the case, then it would be less than 17% IMG because invariably some US Senior + 1 year of internship applicants will wiggle into the categorical spots available.

 

[OHaq]

Thankyou very much for your replies.Actually I think it would be more convenient for everyone if I was more specific about my status and if I was a bit more direct in my questions......
I graduated from Pakistan in the year 2002.I was planning on applying in Surgery programmes in the 2004 match.I scored 99 in step1& I'll be taking step 2 in early August . I would be very thankful if anyone could answer these qusetions for me.

1...What chances do I have of getting into Surgery without any US clinical experience in surgery
2..... I might be able to find an obsevership position in internal medicine before I apply but will surgical programmes give that any credit?
3.....Is it possible to find observership positions in Surgery?
4.....I have a green card & canadian citizenship.......should that make any difference?
5.....Is there any chance of finding categorical surgery? or are IMGs only offered preliminary surgery?
6....After spending a year in preliminary surgery how easy is it to get a position in categorical surgery in the same or different hospital........& what is the procedure , do you have to apply in the next match again?
7.....What kind of programmes should an IMG apply in to get a residency in surgery?

I know these questions might seem like a lot but please be kind enough and take some time out to answer them ,I'll be very thankful.

 

[girlwithaknife]

I don't know the answers to most of your questions, but I am pretty certain that you cannot do any U.S. residency, categorical or prelim, without at least one year of clinical experience through a U.S. medical school. Foreign grads can speak to this much better than I can, but I know there is a "5th pathway" program out there somewhere, and occasionally medical students from Mexico come to our medical school and do 3rd and 4th year with us. You may have to repeat a year or so of medical school, but once you meet whatever requirements there are, you should be able to prelim or categorical surgery. Your only limitations to doing a categorical residency will be how good you are and how good your english is.

 

[KaliforniaDoll]

Hey,

You don't need any US experience to get into prelim surgical programs.
Internal medicine observership is not going to help you for getting into surgical residency.

Your step 1 score is very impressive. If you get similar scores in the step 2... You can easily get into prelim year. BTW..your written english is good. I assume your spoken english must be also good. If you impress your prelim program with your hard work, performance and social interaction...there should not be any reasons preventing you from getting into cat spot. Many FMGs have got into surgical cat spots mainly with their previous surgical experience like FRCS degree from UK. If you are extra-ordinary and hardworking it shouln't be an issue. Luck, being in the right place at right time and other 'superpower' factors also play a role. If you are born to become a surgeon..no one can prevent it.

US Green card is a definite plus point.

If i were you.. i would throw all my efforts into inner city programs in the big city and other programs where they statistically prefer IMGs.
Nothing is impossible for IMGs. Don't listen to anyone who says anything to discourage you.

Keep focused.
A surgeon should never give up!😉

 

[OHaq]

Thanks a lot for your encouraging replies. I am really greatful to all who took time to address my concerns. From what I have been able to gather , it would be a good idea to start by looking for an observership position in surgery.But I really have no idea regarding the programmes that do or do not offer observerships to IMGs. I would be much obliged if you could please help me make a list of such programmes. So if you have any information on programmes that offer observerships in surgery please come forward and name them.......I'll be extremely thankful.