I'm an Egyptian med. student. I'm currently enrolled in my fourth year. I was thinking of taking USMLE Step I but now I'm confused. I don't know if Europe (UK in particular) or the US has more Residency/job opportunities for international medical graduates (Particularly Neurosurgery). Any advice would be great. Thank you very much.
Which is better USMLE or MRCP?
- Thread starter Heidim91
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realistically, neither the US nor the UK has neurosurgery residencies for IMGs, as tough as this sounds...it is true.
In fact, it is hard for IMGs to get into any sort of surgical residency unless their credentials/boards scores are outstanding.
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The competition has skyrocketed in recent years in the US. You have to be quite standout just to get any residency.... I know little about the UK but from what I've heard from friends, surgical positions are much easier to attain for IMG's in the UK than in the US.
from someone who studies in the UK: easier, yes! easy? NO!
unlike the US the UK graduates almost the same number of doctors as there are training posts, this was achieved in the past few years. and unlike the US, UK hospitals are obligated to take homegrown "talent" first and only if there are spots left for which there aren't any UK or EU applicants, they can look for IMGs.
If I remember correctly the US graduates about 20000? doctors for 26000? residency posts.
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Don't even think about going to UK unless you wanted to be treated like a condom.
They will use you and throw you out like .........once you are no longer useful to them.
They will use you and throw you out like .........once you are no longer useful to them.
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Please don't all bold your posts.
I will share an anecdote with you. I worked with a Neurology resident. Neurology. As in, no surgery. He is from Cuba. In cuba, he was a Neurosurgeon. To come to the states he, an MD, worked as a scrub tech for 4 years. From Neurosurgeon to scrub tech. Yeah. Then he got a residency, finally. A neurology residency.
Now, don't get me wrong, he is super happy. Pay is better, life is better, and hes a practicing neurologist. But this guy was an accomplished neurosurgeon in cuba, worked as a scrub tech (WAY below his competence level) and only then managed to get a much downgraded residency.
IMG matches for Neurosurgery essentially don't happen unless you have a mega ultra kameah meah connection. In case you are wondering... this is an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT9w0PGykZ0&feature=related
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Erm, the title of your question doesn't actually relate to your question. The two exams are very different.
USMLE are licensing examinations done as part of your primary medical degree. MRCP is a postgraduate examination in a specific field, much like being ABIM certified. You can't even do Part 1 of the MRCP until you are an F2 SHO in the UK.
And as the others have said, it is essentially a non starter for neurosurgery here. Having spoken to neurosurgical registrars here, there were like 3 neurosurg reg posts in the whole of London last year which are higher training posts (probably the equivalent of a fellowship in the US). Competition was stiff. One of the neurosurgical registrars was from Oxford, done an MD, published oodles etc etc.
