US residency for Australian?

[Ren44]

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Hello,

I'm a new member, prospective medical student, and I have a question about US residencies. I know it's hard to answer accurately but I'd be grateful for any opinions.

I am currently finishing up my BSc Honours year in Australia. I've already accepted a research job for 2014-2015, but I don't think I want to stay in research long term. I am strongly considering grad medicine starting in 2016 (preferably at Melbourne). I'm an Australian citizen. My only tie to the US is that I studied there on exchange for a semester in high school and have always wanted to go back permanently.

From reading other threads it seems my best option would be to go to med school in the US. However, I really can't justify that expense when I can get essentially the same education here at much lower cost with a CSP.

At this stage I'm interested in pathology or paediatrics. Obviously, that could change once I actually begin my medical education. However, I don't ever see myself being interested in any kind of surgery, dermatology, emergency medicine or some of the other most popular/competitive specialties.

I should note that I'm certainly not opposed to staying in Australia if I failed to get into a US residency program.

All that said - what are the chances of an Australian-educated Australian citizen getting into a pathology or paeds residency in an above average or better program in the US? Also, is it a must to do clinical electives in the US? I don't know if I could afford that.

Thanks!!

 

[Medstart108]

Hello,

I'm a new member, prospective medical student, and I have a question about US residencies. I know it's hard to answer accurately but I'd be grateful for any opinions.

I am currently finishing up my BSc Honours year in Australia. I've already accepted a research job for 2014-2015, but I don't think I want to stay in research long term. I am strongly considering grad medicine starting in 2016 (preferably at Melbourne). I'm an Australian citizen. My only tie to the US is that I studied there on exchange for a semester in high school and have always wanted to go back permanently.

From reading other threads it seems my best option would be to go to med school in the US. However, I really can't justify that expense when I can get essentially the same education here at much lower cost with a CSP.

At this stage I'm interested in pathology or paediatrics. Obviously, that could change once I actually begin my medical education. However, I don't ever see myself being interested in any kind of surgery, dermatology, emergency medicine or some of the other most popular/competitive specialties.

I should note that I'm certainly not opposed to staying in Australia if I failed to get into a US residency program.

All that said - what are the chances of an Australian-educated Australian citizen getting into a pathology or paeds residency in an above average or better program in the US? Also, is it a must to do clinical electives in the US? I don't know if I could afford that.

Thanks!!

The chances aren't bad at all. America is quite open to immigrant physicians. You just need to score well on the USMLE, do well in medical school in Australia, do clinical electives every chance you get in the US and try and get 3 LORs from US physicians. If you are interested in peds or path it makes it more possible.

 

[Leforte]

Agree with the above. Chances of getting a US residency really come down to which specialty you pick. I would strongly suggest you do an internship in Australia before trying to go to the USA - this has more to do with licensing issues in Australia than anything else.

Also - if you do your training in the USA, you will have to submit your training and experience to the Australian College that represents your specialty as a foreign trained specialist. It is extremely challenging to get recognition as a specialist in Australia with overseas post-graduate qualifications. See the thread recently started by Oncosurg.

 

[neulite30]

It is extremely challenging to get recognition as a specialist in Australia with overseas post-graduate qualifications. See the thread recently started by Oncosurg.

This depends on the college. I've spoken with quite a few American pathologists (the specialty you're considering) who have made the jump to Australia, it's definitely feasible and likely not as hard as being recognized by the RACS. As a board certified US pathologist, you are exempt from some exams administered by the RCPA. You would still need to fulfill their training time requirements (American training is 3-4 years, Australia is a "minimum" of 5).

To the OP, I'm currently applying to pathology programs in the US, I'm American and Australian-trained. Scored well on the USMLE, no electives in the US, no US LoRs, and received numerous interviews so far. Peds shouldn't be too competitive either.

For other specialties, like surgery or radiology, you would need US experience.

 

[Leforte]

You would still need to fulfill their training time requirements (American training is 3-4 years, Australia is a "minimum" of 5).

To the OP, I'm currently applying to pathology programs in the US, I'm American and Australian-trained. Scored well on the USMLE, no electives in the US, no US LoRs, and received numerous interviews so far. Peds shouldn't be too competitive either.

For other specialties, like surgery or radiology, you would need US experience.

Yes, each College is different. I have a med school friend who is an Anaesthetist. He did all his training in the USA and was 3 years out of training when he migrated to Australia with his wife. He was exempted from the exams and only had to do 1 year of supervision. I believe that there is a reciprocity arrangement with USA trained FP and Australian trained GPs. Each College has there own specific requirements and prior to accepting a position in the USA, I'd just ensure that you investigate your College of interest. You never know when you may want to return to Australia. When we had our first child, my Australian wife wanted us to return ASAP in order to raise our daughter in the Australian culture.

 

[pre med 2014]

In general it is easier to switch from US to Australia than vise versa. From what I have read if you trained in Australia and one day wanted to migrate back to America you would have to go through residency all over again. Whereas if you are US trained you would not have to retrain for years of low pay.

And you can't just plan for an Australian internship as your fallback plan. As an American citizen you get placed at the bottom of the list for internships so staying in Australia for internship is very hard, though possible depending on individual circumstances. But in general getting a US residency is the primary goal.

 

[Leforte]

From what I have read if you trained in Australia and one day wanted to migrate back to America you would have to go through residency all over again. Whereas if you are US trained you would not have to retrain for years of low pay.

Not necessarily true. You will need 1-2 years in the USA to be eligible for an unrestricted license.

You are correct that you will not be eligible for Board Certification if you have not done a US residency, but you can practice. This will have implications on getting on insurance plans, but there are ways around this. If you are in an academic practice, the insurance companies often accept hospital credentialing as inclusion onto their plans. In fact, I know of a number of surgeons/physicians who came to the USA for fellowship, and were invited to stay. Whilst they are not eligible for board certification, they are practicing in the USA in an academic practice.

If may sound a bit confusing, but there are always pathways.