I do not understand why so many of you continue to bash IUHS.

This is my first post. I am 38 years-old, and I am beginning a second career, one that will take me down the same path many of you are on.

IUHS is on my radar because I love the idea of independent learning. I am intrigued by the possibility of navigating the basic sciences on my terms at my time.

The idea of "online education" is already here in many forms. There isn't a single valid reason why many of the basic science components can not be taught through online technology. IUHS does not suggest in any way that the clinical education of any student be completed online. With a quality mentor, a medical student can actually have more of an advantage than a student produced at any other caribbean program. The catch is.... how to secure that mentor?

A closer look at IUHS is needed by all. The issues I have with IUHS are focused on their clinical sites, not how they provide a basic science education.

For what it is worth, the Ohio State University has had an independent-study program for their basic medical science component for 12 years now, and currently they have incorporated "online" technology into their lecture series. Yale also offers an independent study, with the students being given a study objective and allowed to complete them on their time, with any available online resource available to them. The list doesn't stop there, two US osteopathic programs will be starting "online independent study" options for their basic science students in 2008.

The state licensing boards still have the trump card. The USMLE. Student performance on those licensing exams will dictate if schools like IUHS are producing well-educated graduates.

There is one valid reason. States look more closely at degrees from "outside" more closely, and they will not license you. That to me is the most valid reason of all ...

Yes, but this school is in the United States....big difference. Look, the bottom line is that although it may seem like we are "bashing" the school, most of us within reason bring up valid points why going to IUSH is a bad idea. We don't do it for fun, at least I don't, but those interested in the school need to be aware of these problems down the road. I speak for myself and many others that we have done extensive research in the route of Caribbean medical schools. Some of us have even gone as far as calling state licensing boards about their school and other schools of potential problems.

Just because there are negative postings about a school doesn't mean they are there for fun or out to ruin the image, they are VALID facts about the potential road blocks after graduating from IUHS. Although it's not my education but I would hope that you do your research as well, this doesn't not include talking to school officials. Even from the best schools, they lie or embelish things. Good luck to you.

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I'm like Internationally-known

IUHS is a entity that has been on everyones radar for awhile. Stay clear. It is not a viable option. It is well known to state boards and is not accepted. Those of us who have been doing this for the last few years know of this. If you want to do medicine, you will have to commit to being in a classroom in a specific loation with real profs and other students. You will need microscopes, cadavers, clinical training and hospital time. There is no shortcut, no "study at home" course or "study at your own pace" course that is considered acceptable. There are many options here, just research some of them and stay far away from the so called IUHS...

Best of luck!

hey if you want to spend 20k a yr working on your own then do it..maybe you will come out the winner I did say MAYBE! easy way out is not the way even though at one point I considered it for over 3yrs checked into it and didn t like what I saw..botton line is THE MEDICAL BOARDS WILL NOT LICENSE YOU so maybe you like to go to school and spend tons of money for a hobby then I say do it..but if it was so good the school would have a waiting list to get into and you would then see more licensed grads in practice,,,do you see that? if you do then go,,the easy way out gullible people go for this,,they prey on people like yourself hoping for a better easier way to get the md degree,,,many people lost time and money trying this but go ahead and jump in some people only learn by doing it go but don t come back here and say we didn t tell you so..try smu

[quote=MartyBlank;574808]I do not understand why so many of you continue to bash IUHS.............................

I haven't seen much evidence of what I would call true 'bashing' of late: only quite sober-minded and considered criticism. If you want to see bashing, invective and rabid foam spraying out from the pc monitor look at some of the posts here from about 2 years ago.
The other replies to the OP have rightly highlighted the very real licensing limitations of a degree from IUHS. I would also like to point that a number of us have personal experience of IUHS and are none too enamoured with the school's ethics (or lack of them). The same management is in place and we have no reason to suppose that things have changed a great deal.

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"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Samuel Beckett, "Worstward Ho", 1983

I have no clue if IUHS will fail.

My point earlier was you can not just throw out a blanket statement that "online" education is a failure. The University of Phoenix is successful for a reason, and it is the flexibility that an online education allows.

Further, to a large extent, medicine in itself is a career of self-directed learning. It requires independent education throughout a 20-30 year career.

Obviously I am not suggesting that any clinical education be replaced by a virtual patient. That is ridiculous. However. I think you can learn Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Pathology in many different ways. They can be sitting in a classroom, sitting in front of your computer, or from reading a textbook.

That point is not even open for debate.

The issue is Gross Anatomy. I recognize the need for cadaver dissection, and this is where IUHS needs to address this issue. I think they could very easily address it by simply offering a June-August GA intensive study option on campus. Many US schools already do it, and it would allow for easier understanding of form and function when they begin their studies.

Online education will evolve, and ultimately will become a viable option for medical students, for both US and Foreign medical schools alike.

Many of you have valid points, do you want to be the one who is challenging state licensing boards? The answer is obviously no. It is always easier to navigate a path of least resistance. That being said, it comes down to personal choice. If you are dumb enough to fork over 20K per annua and not be able to practice in this country, you really have no one else to blame other than yourself.

If anyone needs an online community to tell them the possible risks associated with a new venture like IUHS, then possibly you shouldn't become a physician in the first place.

The caribbean medical school market has always been "buyer beware", there are no guarantees outside of the Big 3/4 (SGU, Ross, AUC, and possibly Saba). But they all faced similar difficult circumstances in their infancies. The test for IUHS will be how well organized they are, and how well they can address the concerns of licensing boards. If they a poorly organized and dimwitted, they will fail miserably.

trouble is IUHS is not in its "infancy" it started in 1998 and has not proved to be a viable option. SMU started in 1997 had a crisis, moved and is so far ahead of iuhs that i doubt it is even measureable. AUA started in 2004 and already has residents this year as does st james, even st chris with its african charter, classes in england, loss of recognition by the GMC has grads working.

the issue is not about online medical education, i have no doubt it is the future, the issue is online medical education in a schools with no oversight, real credentialing bodies seeking licensure in the US. i am sure the university of phoenix and every other online program in the US has to meet guidelines and have oversight to remain accredited. until online education is the norm in the states this model of education should be avoided like the plague

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AUC M.D. Class of 06'
OBGYN PGY-1.5

I hate Internal Medicine more than fascia

AND FORGOT TO MENTION EVEN THE USA HAD THEM MOVE OUT AND ENDED UP IN CANADA MAKES YOU THINK,,SOME PEOPLE LOVE TO LOSE MONEY I THINK NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

IUHS has grads working! Even Licensed! Not just In residency! Those schools with only 2 years of existance only have grads who took basic sciences somewhere else! So why keep stating something that is not true!