No guarantees

[footdoc]

When you go to a foreign medical school there is no guarantee that you will ever practice in the U.S. I have been practicing Podiatry for 20 years in the states and I plan to be in SMU in May 2005. I have met with MDs at medical school in Florida and discussed the caribbean medical schools. The doctors know that these are money making schools and do not give the best education or fill a need. There are new medical schools opening and more D.O schools they hope to make up the difference of medical doctors in the U.S.
It is possible that some schools may close down in the future, so consider all the factors before you commit to a foreign school.

[Donno70]

When you go to a foreign medical school there is no guarantee that you will ever practice in the U.S. I have been practicing Podiatry for 20 years in the states and I plan to be in SMU in May 2005. I have met with MDs at medical school in Florida and discussed the caribbean medical schools. The doctors know that these are money making schools and do not give the best education or fill a need. There are new medical schools opening and more D.O schools they hope to make up the difference of medical doctors in the U.S.
It is possible that some schools may close down in the future, so consider all the factors before you commit to a foreign school.

Foot,

With all due respect, I'm trying to figure out where you're going with this one. This is an SMU forum and you will be attending, correct? I can't speak for everyone, but I think most of us are aware of the disadvantages of a FMS compared to the US equivalent. Moreover, the FMS track is an alternative for many students for various reasons. As Johnny Cochran would say, "The point is moot."

DM

[skidoc42]

I have to say I'm a little confused as to the point of this post. Schools like St. Matt's are for individuals you can't attend US schools for one reason or another. However, to take this step, I have to believe that these people that attend foriegn med schools have ambition and determination to practice medicine. These qualities will not allow anyone to quit on their dream regardless of what nay sayers will tell them. Besides, it's always better to think positive.

skidoc42 :twisted:

[mo5225md]

i second that....

[gebbils]

When you go to a foreign medical school there is no guarantee that you will ever practice in the U.S. I have been practicing Podiatry for 20 years in the states and I plan to be in SMU in May 2005. I have met with MDs at medical school in Florida and discussed the caribbean medical schools. The doctors know that these are money making schools and do not give the best education or fill a need. There are new medical schools opening and more D.O schools they hope to make up the difference of medical doctors in the U.S.
It is possible that some schools may close down in the future, so consider all the factors before you commit to a foreign school.

I think this is a totally incorrect remark. Lets just break it down simply. US is a country of immigrants and a big percentage of practicing physicians in US are of the foreign medical education. Yes there are tests that they need to take and pass, but trust me alot of those foreign doctors are better than the ones who actually graduated in US. So dont go bashing Carribean or any other schools, because what will make us all equal is that USMLE, which everyone will take, and trust me you'll see alot of American medical students doing poorly on those tests, so what those doctors were telling you in Florida is simply an INSECURITY, and the COMPETITION that they are facing from all of us (foreign graduates)

[footdoc]

I wrote this statement because I was contacted by a two prospective students and they wanted an opinion on foreign medical schools. One is considering podiatry in the U.S.
The fact is that there are not enough residencies for all coming out of caribbean medical programs.

[sweetpea]

I wrote this statement because I was contacted by a two prospective students and they wanted an opinion on foreign medical schools. One is considering podiatry in the U.S.
The fact is that there are not enough residencies for all coming out of caribbean medical programs.

Footdoc, through my own experience I have not heard any people complain about not being able to get a residency spot. But lets just say for a moment that you are correct that there are not enough residencies for carib. schools. But knowing this fact, I would rather taking that risk of waiting a few weeks or months until a resid. position is available for me than spending the rest of my life doing a job that I do not want to do.

[manleyjb]

Footdoc have you taken a look at the number of residencies that go unfilled each and every year? Check out this page of unfilled spots last year: http://www.valuemd.com/match/Unfilled_Program_2004.pdf
Looking at these stats it is obvious that there are plenty of places for the equally qualified Caribbean Medical Graduates. We take the same tests as the US students do, so there is no reason that say that we are not as qualified as they are.

[billydoc]

Footdoc,

There are 3 guarantees in life:

1)We are going to pay taxes
2)One day we are going to die (hopefuly not for a very long time)
3)And we are going to pay even more taxes after that
:lol: :lol:

The rest is always a risk. But any success in life is based on our willingness to fail.
Having been D.P.M. for 20 years i'm sure you know it too.

Have some faith :)

[LqdPls]

Footdoc. Why dont we turn your post into an inquisitive statement or a question so that you dont look silly generalizing and making absolute remarks. Therefore I would like to ask anyone who is currently affiliated with any of the Caribbean schools if there is actual data which suggests that some percentage of Caribbean medical school graduates with good USMLE scores have never been able to secure a residency position and subsequently practice medicine in the US.

[MedSter]

To attend a Caribbean medical school and practice medicine in the US means 2 things usually. #1. One wants to become a doctor. 2. They need to pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 and later 3.

True, students attending US Medical schools on average do much better on USMLE than foreign (including us Carib students).
http://www.usmle.org/scores/2003perf.htm

But what it all comes down to is PASSING the USMLE (hopefully on 1st attempt) and with a HIGH ENOUGH SCORE to get the residency you would want to get in the future. You can go to school in India, Iraq, Nevis, Cayman, or Dominica and honor everything in Basic Sciences. Then when Step 1 comes you can fail it like Jason Giambi failing a steroid test (sorry...i had to).

The only guarantee you have to practice medicine SOMEWHERE in the US is passing USMLE from a school that has WHO (World Health Organization) listing and is accredited by the ECFMG to allow you to take USMLE. THEN passing that test means that you have to comprehend about 75% of the testable material on Step 1. NO, NOT WITH A GENEROUS CURVE that some of you have become accustomed to, but a raw score...equiv to at 184 (?) on Step 1.

The best preparation for USMLE at ANY School isnt a review course, it isnt a magical book...it's LEARNING during your first 2 years (Basic Sciences) and then getting 75% of 350 questions on an 8 hour exam they call USMLE Step 1. That's your only guarantee to practicing medicine in the United States.

[teratos]

There are more than enough residencies for people coming from Caribbean schools. As for the schools not making much of an impact on the physician population, I would strongly disagree. Among just a few of the schools, let's include SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba and SMU, there are close to 1000 new physicians per year. I would say that is pretty substantial.

Most people in the US DON'T see Carib schools as strictly money making ventures. 4 of the above are approved by CA, which is the strictest state around. They have met rigid academic standards. All of my friends from school have had no problem getting jobs, most have multiple offers. I had 3 offers to consider before I even thought about looking for a job. A testament to the physician shortage. All of my offers were with private practices, and all offered above average salary for a first year internist. That is just my opinion. G

[wolfvgang22]

Well, if the OP asked a bunch of US med school graduates I can see why he got the impression he did. It's only one side of the story.

[LqdPls]

Teratos. Are you there?

[rossj2180]

I don't mean to back someone further into a corner, but I couldn't agree more with all of the aforementioned rebuttals. Although the quality of offshore medical education has been a long-standing topic filled to the brim with contention (for reasons that are somewhat understandable, yet simultaneously rather ill-founded and erroneous), I whole-heartedly believe that, regardless of the institution, the thorougness of one's medical education will ultimately be a product of the effort, commitment and passion that one puts into it both inside and outside of the classroom. It is completely unfair and ignorance-based to assume anything about anyone who attends a medical school in the Caribbean, as that's all it is: a medical school in the Caribbean. Foreign medical schools attract people from the States and around the globe for a variety of attractive reasons (again, none of which can be assumed); as someone who could have easily stayed within and been accepted into the U.S. medical school system, I decided to compromise geography (and such relatively minor setbacks as not having CA licensure, the challenges inherent in getting a competitive residency as an IMG, representing a school that's still in the process of making a name for itself, etc.) for the opportunity to start school in May 2005 as opposed to August 2006. In my opinion, the decision to invest in a school like St. Matthew's University is not a risk, but merely an alternative (granted, you still have to do your research with respect to general accreditation, USMLE scores, hospital affiliations, etc.); given the credentials of the professors and standards of the university as a whole, I have never doubted the foundations of SMU's educational system, nor do I see a reason to.

In any event, it's always best to stick a fork in generalizations. A good doctor is a good doctor is a good doctor, no matter where he/she attended medical school; good doctors are not the byproducts of concrete institutions or wearing sweatshirts that say "Harvard Med," but are solely the result of upholding exceptional standards/a strong work ethic for the sake of onself and the future of the profession. Shakespeare's "What's in a name?" silently echoes... :chatter:

[doctermob]

Hi Ms Ross,
I am well impressed at your articulation. This is awesome. You know what you want and you are going after your dream. A good doctor is a product of class work, personal effort outside class work and then a commitment to a dream that will eventually come through. SMU will make history and i bet all, it is the youngest that will make it through irrespective of all odds.
Cheers! and I hope to see you in May.

[pitstar]

When you go to a foreign medical school there is no guarantee that you will ever practice in the U.S. I have been practicing Podiatry for 20 years in the states and I plan to be in SMU in May 2005. I have met with MDs at medical school in Florida and discussed the caribbean medical schools. The doctors know that these are money making schools and do not give the best education or fill a need. There are new medical schools opening and more D.O schools they hope to make up the difference of medical doctors in the U.S.
It is possible that some schools may close down in the future, so consider all the factors before you commit to a foreign school.
well said

[smucayman]

When you go to a foreign medical school there is no guarantee that you will ever practice in the U.S. I have been practicing Podiatry for 20 years in the states and I plan to be in SMU in May 2005. I have met with MDs at medical school in Florida and discussed the caribbean medical schools. The doctors know that these are money making schools and do not give the best education or fill a need. There are new medical schools opening and more D.O schools they hope to make up the difference of medical doctors in the U.S.
It is possible that some schools may close down in the future, so consider all the factors before you commit to a foreign school.



Is this guy for real? seriously, you don't know much. There are more and more medical schools CLOSING in the U.S. I know because mine closed. and so did 2 others. please, do YOURSELF a favor and don't come to SMU if you're just going to bash it. c'mon man, do some research.

[footdoc]

I did not mean to say that U.S schools would close, in fact there are expansion plans for more medical and osteopathic schools. I believe in the next year some caribbean schools will close.
Also credit is going tighten for school loans, which will also be a factor in some caribbean schools failing.

[Jeep23Guy]

We all know that it is a risk to go to medical school outside of the US. The reason I chose SMU is because I believe that the risk is very small (not to mention that it seemed a good fit for me and my wife). Yes, I'll agree that there are no guarantees, but in the same way, there are no guarantees that someone in a US med school will graduate.

Baker


Name that movie: I can take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed if you want, I've got spare time.

[Donno70]

Name that movie: I can take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed if you want, I've got spare time.

Tommy Boy, of course.

[wolfvgang22]

I believe in the next year some caribbean schools will close.
Also credit is going tighten for school loans, which will also be a factor in some caribbean schools failing.
Wow, it's incredibly insightful when you repeat the speculation that was on this board 3 months ago, back when Key Bank pulled medachiever from the foreign market. Reading it now is kinda like eating day old french fries... :p

[Siddman]

I believe in the next year some caribbean schools will close.
Also credit is going tighten for school loans, which will also be a factor in some caribbean schools failing.
Wow, it's incredibly insightful when you repeat the speculation that was on this board 3 months ago, back when Key Bank pulled medachiever from the foreign market. Reading it now is kinda like eating day old french fries... :p


hahhahah...true...true... :lol: :lol: :lol: ...funny though.....must be an amateur........ :lol: :lol: :lol:

Siddman

[pitstar]

I believe in the next year some caribbean schools will close.
Also credit is going tighten for school loans, which will also be a factor in some caribbean schools failing.
Wow, it's incredibly insightful when you repeat the speculation that was on this board 3 months ago, back when Key Bank pulled medachiever from the foreign market. Reading it now is kinda like eating day old french fries... :p
add the mayonaise

[wolfvgang22]

Mayonaise??! You must be canadian....:lol:

[pitstar]

Mayonaise??! You must be canadian....:lol:

Yes I am, eh ?