Is it possible for a DO to practice overseas?

[Blade07]

There was a thread about DO schools vs. Caribbean MD schools and some argued that DOs are not accepted overseas. Is this true? I know that DOs became fully licensed doctors relatively recently in the United States, so it wouldn't be too surprising if DOs weren't accepted overseas. What if a DO degree holder passes the USMLE (allopathic) exams and does an allopathic residency?

I've lived in several different countries and I could foresee myself wanting to go overseas in the future. I have met a lot of American-trained MDs working overseas. I have never met any DOs though. Of course, there are far fewer DOs than there are MDs anyway.

[billydoc]

It all depends. If you want to practice abroad for U.S interests it won't matter MD or D.O. If, however, you just want to practice abroad, it's always best to check with the Country/State you are looking to practice in. Remeber, you are going to be an FMG for that Country, so MD from U.S is not universally accepted. Again, no specifics given, and I don't know what Country you are talking about. But it doesn't make sense to go to an American model school if you are sure about practicing abroad. Studying in domicile program of the Country where you want to practice could be a lot cheaper or free. You won't have licensing issues, and if you decide to come back to U.S you'll have to take USMLE, and get through a residency first. But you'll get a lot more knoladge and milage on D.O here:


Osteopathic - Student Doctor Network Forums (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=14)

Good Luck on your journey :D

There was a thread about DO schools vs. Caribbean MD schools and some argued that DOs are not accepted overseas. Is this true? I know that DOs became fully licensed doctors relatively recently in the United States, so it wouldn't be too surprising if DOs weren't accepted overseas. What if a DO degree holder passes the USMLE (allopathic) exams and does an allopathic residency?

I've lived in several different countries and I could foresee myself wanting to go overseas in the future. I have met a lot of American-trained MDs working overseas. I have never met any DOs though. Of course, there are far fewer DOs than there are MDs anyway.

[Skipper]

it all depends on where you want to work....if you go to some western european country you can probably find work....but you might want to verify which ones accept DO degrees

however, it is probably harder if you are considering Dubai, Asian, or the caribbean....only because the concept of DO is foregin to most of these people

skipper

[Runzhouse]

it all depends on where you want to work....if you go to some western european country you can probably find work....but you might want to verify which ones accept DO degrees

however, it is probably harder if you are considering Dubai, Asian, or the caribbean....only because the concept of DO is foregin to most of these people

skipper

The concept of a DO in Asia is probably going to change dramatically in the next several years, mostly because the AOA (the ACGME equivalent for osteopathic medicine) has been asked by China, the most popolous country in the world, to help restructure their healthcare system. They will specifically be aiding chinese physicians to become more sufficient at being general practioners.

302 Found

[GeorgeMD2B]

DOs from the US can now practice in Canada as full physicians. It depends on the country. But if you plan to work outside the US you better note that the US is really the only country in the world where doctors earn high salaries. So don't go overseas expecting to earn more money because it simply will not happen.

[wcb22]

a couple of years ago, someone (i think azskeptic) posted which countries accept D.O.s as equivalent to M.D.s. The list was impressive. If someone is really interested, you can try to go through the archives.

[azskeptic]

a couple of years ago, someone (i think azskeptic) posted which countries accept D.O.s as equivalent to M.D.s. The list was impressive. If someone is really interested, you can try to go through the archives.

http://www.valuemd.com/relaxing-lounge/29288-list-countries-where-us-trained-osteopaths-recognized.html

[GeorgeMD2B]

European countries have an oversupply of doctors, relatively few IMGs work in those countries.

[spartan87]

I shadowed a DO last week and asked him the same question..He told me that the only countries right now that license DOs are New Zealand and Costa Rica but the list will grow in the future...

[azskeptic]

There are quite a few countries including Canada that license them now


http://www.valuemd.com/relaxing-lounge/29288-list-countries-where-us-trained-osteopaths-recognized.html


I shadowed a DO last week and asked him the same question..He told me that the only countries right now that license DOs are New Zealand and Costa Rica but the list will grow in the future...

[GeorgeMD2B]

Its possible for US DOs to practice in different countries, I think you should talk to the AOA and ask them which countries accept DOs.

[BrendaB_MD]

Working overseas (at least in developed countries) is not easy. While an MD may be more widely recognized, it is by no means sufficient. Undergraduate training (i.e. your MD degree) is generally transferrable; however, graduate medical training and licensing is much less transferable. You will face visa issues and licensing issues. While it is possible to work overseas, it is not easy. You will often be faced with requirements for additional training or exams. A DO will limit you; however, having an MD does not make it easy.

[azskeptic]

true what you write. Most countries won't allow professionals of any type work there without there being a need or you marrying a native. Licensing is difficult..then there is a problem of the countries being able to pay you. New Zealand/Australia are possibilities (for DO's also) earlier here I posted a list of countries where DOs can license.....NZ/Australia are recruiting. azskeptic

Working overseas (at least in developed countries) is not easy. While an MD may be more widely recognized, it is by no means sufficient. Undergraduate training (i.e. your MD degree) is generally transferrable; however, graduate medical training and licensing is much less transferable. You will face visa issues and licensing issues. While it is possible to work overseas, it is not easy. You will often be faced with requirements for additional training or exams. A DO will limit you; however, having an MD does not make it easy.

[steelroof]

Has anyone seen a more updated list than the one posted here (which is from June 2004)? I know the issue of DO acceptance abroad is a dynamic one and I was curious to see how things have changed over the last 5 years as I consider the DO/MD trade-off.

Thanks

[azskeptic]

American Osteopathic Association - D.O.s Around the World (http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_intl) you can email the woman mentioned and ask her if they will give it to you if you aren't a member.

[steelroof]

Thanks I will and report back if I get something more recent

[azskeptic]

Well, also to be honest there are few offshore places that need US doctors, MD/DO. The main areas that are looking for doctors (australia, New Zealand) will take you either way. The US Embassy does hire doctors to be embassy doctors if you want to be offshore but only after you are board certified and have some experience

Thanks I will and report back if I get something more recent

[steelroof]

Just to report back, I contacted the AOA on a specific country and they were very responsive and helpful.