PI med graduate for Surgery residency in the US

[n|mzter]

I heard that if you graduate from the Philippines, you cant practice surgery in the US? how true is this? and is there an alternative way? like additional rotations? or do u have to repeat everything there?

[trauma]

This is not true. The problem is that it is VERY DIFFICULT TO MATCH into Surgery coming from a school OUTSIDE the US due to intense competition. You need extremely high USMLE scores and LOR from US attendings. It used to be easier (60's and 70's) but since the 90's I can count on my fingers how many from the Philippines were able to get into surgical programs. Heck, even American grads from US schools have a hard time getting into Surgery. The other alternative is to get into a field with a lot of procedures like Interventional Cardiology and Gastroenterology but even these fields are getting competitive, but at least you have a better chance by going into Internal Medicine first.

[n|mzter]

so basically its hard to get into any residency program in the US most especially if ur not a graduate from their med schools?

[trauma]

so basically its hard to get into any residency program in the US most especially if ur not a graduate from their med schools?
As I said, it depends on the specialty. Primary care is easier (Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics) but others range from difficult (Neuro, Patho, Anesthesia) to very difficult (most surgical fields).

[Locutusofborg]

What if someone is really determined to specialize? What are the alternative paths to, say, General surgery aside from matching first year? I know there are things like transitional programs and fellowships but im not entirely certain how they work. Is there are a website that explains clearly the various postgraduate paths a med school graduate can take?

[trauma]

Transitional programs are one year internship (usually a lot of IM or FP) but you still need to match for your 2nd year.
Most of the subspecialist I know went through Internal Medicine, then you can apply to different subspecialty that you like (Cardio, Gastro, Endocrine, ID, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Intensive Care, etc.).

[n|mzter]

medicine is good, being a doctor is great, but surgery....wow man...there's nothing like it...

ive scrubbed in surgeries as a nursing student and i swear its something i could do forever... :P

lol ok...i know this is a lil off topic...sorry guys :D

[trauma]

A lot of procedures are being done by non-surgeons. That is the reason Interventional Cardiology is making Cardiovascular surgeons see less procedures and Gastroenterology are doing more endoscopies compared to General Surgeons.

[PrimeMD08]

trauma- where did you graduate? not sure if you are still going to med school or have graduated already. Also, if I go to PI and won't have any US clinical, do you think I will ever get a residency spot in the future? Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

[trauma]

trauma- where did you graduate? not sure if you are still going to med school or have graduated already. Also, if I go to PI and won't have any US clinical, do you think I will ever get a residency spot in the future? Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
I'll PM you for details. It's not that hard to get a residency spot in Primary care even without US clinicals but you need a higher score than applicants with US rotation in a particular hospital.

[PrimeMD08]

Trauma- I've seen your PM but I can not answer your back via PM because I'm new to this forum. Thanks for the info. WIll it be feasible or realistic (considering how intense our education in PI) to take step 1 prior to to third year?

[trauma]

Trauma- I've seen your PM but I can not answer your back via PM because I'm new to this forum. Thanks for the info. WIll it be feasible or realistic (considering how intense our education in PI) to take step 1 prior to to third year?
Some Fil-Am did it but it takes a lot of discipline to do that as most med schools there takes a lot of hours of class every day. It's very difficult that's why very few can pull it off.

[neuroanatomy]

I am studying at UST. I'll be in 3rd year Med proper this coming school year. My questions are: will I be able to apply for internship in the United States? If I do get an internship in the US, will I be able to take the Philippine board? Thank you very much to those who will take time to reply.

[neuroanatomy]

I'll PM you for details. It's not that hard to get a residency spot in Primary care even without US clinicals but you need a higher score than applicants with US rotation in a particular hospital.


Trauma, pls also PM me re the details... Thanks! :)