To aspiring doctors of the future; try not to let negativity get you down. Some of the people putting you down don't even like themselves.
The USMG vs IMG sideshow is decades old. US organized medicine has tried to hinder, stop, and mock, etc etc the flow of non US/Canada educated docs. Nothing new and in the opinion of many, related to anti-competitive nature/egos/insecurities. FYI; over the decades there have been many US court legal battles between pro IMG and against. Usually this means schools and/or students/parent association counsel pitted against big organized medicine. More times than non David has prevailed against Goliath.
An undeniable element of SGU's success is their legal success. Fueled by the passion of his own children s desire to become docs and the wish that justice and fairness prevail, Bernie Ferguson, J.D. has been instrumental over the years. Armed with a briefcase and the truth, he has taken on multibillion dollar organized medicine and prevailed.
I will say that most of the AMG's I have known over the last 25 years are good people and have no qualms with where a colleague studied. I have worked with and/or supervised AMG's and IMG's and in both groups there are stronger and weaker. Some have great board scores, but have difficulty applying it to sick people
You will interact with many different personalities. Some AMG attendings can see no wrong in AMG residents despite clear evidence to the contrary. I had attained significant clinical experience before starting as a PGY1. To my dismay I was often paired with uper level residents that gave a hard time and were difficult to work with. One of them, an AMG, literally would make a quick exit from the room where a patient was crashing, either scared to take care of a sick patient or not confident, whatever. When I met with the chief resident to express my concerns and frustrations, he told me I was paired with them because I can function on my own and that I should take it as a compliment. Another poignant moment that comes to mind while I was an ED(not erectile dysfunction) attending. A patient already seen by the rhouse staff(residents) and admitted to the floor deteriorated while still in my ED. I recall a short lived debate with an AMG resident known to have stellar boards scores. She argued academically to send an abg to see if the patient needed intubation. I saw a rapidly deteriorating patient turning blue. Perhaps on an exam you can order an abg and wait. In real life you can always extubate when stable but if you don't put the tube in soon enough, it could be disaster.
To be fair, I've seen stuff from both AMG's and IMG's, however the AMG fxxk ups seem to stand out more as usually they are the ones proclaiming to be so wonderful. Again, select people, not everyone. I have great colleagues/friends from both camps that I would use for my own family.
The multitude of schools in the Caribbean is a recent phenomenon (last 25 years)
Other than political correctness, there is no particular magic in studying medicine at a US school or any other country school for that matter.
As we know, the content of medicine is quite similar if not the same across the planet. Most of the standard textbooks we have known and loved(or hated) are commonly used around the globe.
Schools like SGU realized the above and "let the genie out of the bottle" in providing a US like curriculum to students.
About the criticism from select people about international schools that have a high attrition rate, etc.
My take and feeling on this is that it is perfectly OK and quite fair to give people the chance to study what they wish. In many nations, studying medicine simply means that you enroll in the medical curriculum. The US medical education system is highly controlled and seats limited thus produces the doggy dog atmosphere and can lead a person into believing he/she is Gods gift to the wolrd.
In systems where anyone can choose to study what they want, a significant percentage change their career. some realize it is not what they wanted, or aren't happy with the lifestyle, workload, whatever... FILTERS. but at least you get the chance.
Reality is that ANY AMG, is politically correct. None of them are stupid, some sharper than others, lots of ego, but they are part of the system and politically have first crack at residency spots. IMG's are not stupid either and have worked/studied very hard also. Lack of access to residencies for IMG's is not due to lack of aptitude or talent sadly, but is because of political incorrectness. Over the years I have seen many cases in point in regard to this. One particular example is that of the husband of a female resident from India, a colleague of mine. The husband, a young quite accomplished Indian doctor already certified by The Royal College of Orthopedic Surgery, had applied to US programs and been rejected repeatedly over 2-3 years. He did a 6 month or 1 year research spot at Harvard I recall. Reapplied via his attorney to the program and was accepted. Poor guy, did not one, but two orthopedic residencies, and in the days before the work hours regulations. His program actually ended up quite happy because they acquired both a resident and teaching attending, 2 for price of one.
Not that long ago, the MCAT did not exist for entry into US schools. The researchers and statisticians claim it is useful to predict future success. Others would argue that it is yet another monstrosity in a list of ever growing standardized exams BUSINESS. The recent USMLE Clinical Skills Exam is another one, and I am sure the AMG's will agree, as they have already objected to this one. Many of these exams have become but money making machines. Nowadays just passing a so called board certification exam must be followed up with something called MOC, maintenance of certificate, more money making BS.
It seems many Caribbean schools emulate the US curriculum as to facilitate entry into US medicine. Anyone see something wrong with that?
Follow your dreams, but make informed and wise choices. 👍
PS; my high school grade advisor advised me to become a baker.
I have a lovely recipe for Tiramisu that uses ricotta instead of mascarpone. pm if u want it
