Thread: Post-residency question

I've done a bit of browsing and haven't been able to locate an concrete answer for this question. As a Canadian who completes a relatively non-competitive residency in the Eastern United States let's say NJ or NY, would I be doomed to a life of working in a rural underserviced area?

Also, would it be possible to eventually go to a place on the west coast such as Washington state or Oregon after completing residency in another state? Or do you have to stay in the state you did your residency in? I know visa issues can complicate this matter but that's a whole different issue.

Finally, how competitive are primary care residencies in places on the west coast that aren't California for an IMG? I was looking through the SGU match list and could only find a few people who matched in Washington state.

As I said before I'm fairly naive on anything regarding post-residency matters which is why I'm hesitant about SGU. If these question have been answered before could you kindly direct me to the pertinent thread?

Originally Posted by PRIDEFC

I've done a bit of browsing and haven't been able to locate an concrete answer for this question. As a Canadian who completes a relatively non-competitive residency in the Eastern United States let's say NJ or NY, would I be doomed to a life of working in a rural underserviced area?

no, underserved areas are easier to find work in, but a lot of them are not rural, this is a misconception. Some large inner-city areas in the US are considered underserved, so you won't necessarily need to work in a rural area unless you want to.

Originally Posted by PRIDEFC

Also, would it be possible to eventually go to a place on the west coast such as Washington state or Oregon after completing residency in another state? Or do you have to stay in the state you did your residency in? I know visa issues can complicate this matter but that's a whole different issue.

you do not have to stay in the state you did your residency in. Depending on which visa you go on might dictate whether or not you have to go back home for 2 years or get a waiver to work in an underserved area.

Originally Posted by PRIDEFC

Finally, how competitive are primary care residencies in places on the west coast that aren't California for an IMG? I was looking through the SGU match list and could only find a few people who matched in Washington state.

they are ultra-competitive, that's why if you go on the match lists for a lot of the programs in Washington or Oregon or Idaho, you won't see a lot of IMGs, period. It's not just SGU, it's IMGs everywhere that can't break into that area. It's because it's a desirable area for US med students to stay in. I got several interviews out there for FM, but a lot of people won't even get that.

Originally Posted by PRIDEFC

As I said before I'm fairly naive on anything regarding post-residency matters which is why I'm hesitant about SGU. If these question have been answered before could you kindly direct me to the pertinent thread?

everyone should be hesitant about going to a different country for med school...especially if you are starting now. Weigh your options wisely.

well realize that if you are on a J1 then you will have to work in an underserved area that will give you a J1 waiver...and as KG has stated there are underserved areas in densely populated, so called desirable areas (underserved is based on patient to physician ratios) but the kicker is the desirable places pay squat...they can after all since everyone wants to be in that area...for example hospitalist pay in NYC...average 110....rural area in say, mississippi...250...so its up to you, poorer in a desirable area or richer in a less desirable area.