Medical residencies enable qualified physicians who hold an MBBS, MD, DO, DVM, VMD, BVMS or DPM degree, the opportunity to complete their graduate medical education in the United States. In medical school, physicians receive training in a broad range of basic clinical skills, medical knowledge and supervised medicine practice across numerous fields. In contrast, medical residency offers rigorous and hands-on training in a specific field of medicine.
The duration of a residency may range from 3 to 7 years depending on the specialty or program. Primary care fields such as paediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine span up to four years. Since surgical residencies necessitate extensive training, the training period may last up to seven years. Aspiring residents receive experiential training in healthcare settings and hospitals and are closely supervised by attending physicians. This is an immersive and demanding period. Residents are required to work long hours so that they gain expertise in diagnosing, treating and working with patients, all while learning how to steer the intricacies of the healthcare industry.
This is the best time for International Medical Graduates like yourself to seek medical residency programs in the United States. Here are a few benefits for completing your residency program in the USA?
According to a 2020 study published by the American Medical Colleges, by 2033, the US is going to face a doctor deficit by up to 139,000 physicians. The country’s aging population is one of the main reasons for this significant doctor shortage. It is estimated that by 2033, 45.1% of the population will be over the age of 65, whereas there is only a 10.4% growth in the population. At present, in the US, more than 50% of doctors who care for geriatric patients are IMGs.
Although there is a growing demand for patients needing medical care, there is also a reduction in the number of actively practicing doctors. In the next ten years, 2 out 5 physicians will reach age 60. Furthermore, the COVID pandemic led to a higher retirement of experienced doctors.
Currently, there is a physician shortage in the US due to the limited number of medical schools and number of students who are given admittance. Since the US is not able to produce sufficient medical graduates in time, it will rely on international medical graduates like yourself to fulfill those spots. At the moment, up to 27% of physicians in the US are IMGs. To give you an idea of the growing demand, in 2012, there were just 24,034 first-year slots available. In 2022, there were 36,277 first-year spots.
The Affordable Care Act has enabled health insurance companies to provide coverage for approximately 20 million people who earlier were not insured. This increased access to healthcare has created a growing demand for physicians.
In 2022, 4,571 non-US IMGs were successfully paired into a residency program. This is an increase of 65% since 2012.
Before the COVID pandemic, if an IMG received twenty interviews, their chances of getting matches was very high but only if they were able to attend all the interviews. This was not possible for all IMG students because of the thousands of dollars they would have to spend on car rentals, hotels and flights just to be present at the interview. Often, these candidates would select their most preferred programs which also happened to be the most competitive. Attending only a few interviews would reduce their chances of getting matched to their desired residency program. Since the pandemic, virtual interviews are offered by most residency programs. This means IMGs can now reduce their travel expenses and give an interview from their country. Often, more than one interview is scheduled on the same day. This would not have been possible in the past.
As an IMG, you must appear for the United States Medical Licensing Exams in order to apply for the US residency program. It is a series of multiple step exams. Step 1 of the USMLE assesses your basic knowledge in science. This is taught during the first two years in medical schools in the US.
This test was designed to evaluable English proficiency and clinical skills in a clinical setting using standardized patients. However, English proficiency is now assessed using the Occupational English Test which is easier and simpler as it can be taken online.
In 2022, the score on your USMLE Step 1 exam has been changed from a three-digit score to a pass or fail remark. Although it makes it very crucial for you to pass the test on the initial attempt, it removes the stress of scoring well above the average to stay competitive. The USMLE Step 2 CK exam requires a 3-digit score and will evaluate your competitiveness. However, historically, IMGs have had better performance on this test.
As someone who is well-versed in this process, from both professional and personal experience, I have broken down the steps to gain medical residency admission in the USA:
To participate in clinical electives, you must do the following:
Although some programs do not require a USMLE Step 1 score, it can make you very competitive if you do. Even if you are applying for a program that does not require a USMLE score, it will increase your chances of selection if you do. Additional documents required are:
Clinical electives are approximately 4 weeks long. IMGs can take up to X electives.
After completing your clinical electives in the USA, you will return to India and proceed with the next phase of your residency in the USA process.
This provides IMGs like you to observe the delivery of medical care, participate in clinical rounds and conferences. You are not permitted to engage in hands-on patient care, entering notes into the EMR or participate in surgeries.
The Statement of Intent for the Medical Residency Program in the US is a short and concise letter, designed to grab the attention of your preferred residency program choice that they are your number one choice. It will also communicate your reasons for selecting that particular program. The LOI is addressed to the residency program director, communicating your commitment to join their program. It is another way of answering, : why they should choose you”. As you are aware, gaining admission into a top residency program is very competitive. The LOI can help you get into your top program choice. For IMGs like you, it can determine your acceptance into a particular residency program. Let’s take a minute to understand the process. The Match is a method utilized by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). It eases and organizes the entire process for residency applicants in the United States. Several thousand residency applicants use ERAS to grab residency spots throughout the US. The programs respond by inviting applicants for interviews in the fall and winter. Once the interviews are complete, applicants must submit a Rank Order List which includes a list of programs which applicants want to contract with. The programs also submit ROLs of applicants that they want to accept. The Main Match algorithm acts like the matchmaker and pairs applicants with programs based on three factors:
You cannot do anything about the first factor. However, you can influence the second and third. By knowing beforehand what residency program directors want, you can prepare for your interview and increase your chances of getting selected. The third is entirely in your hands and based on your calibre and interest area.
Match Week occurs in March. Residency aspirants are alerted as to whether they are matched or not for specific programs. However, what they are matched to is unknown. Applicants that are not matched, residency positions that are not filled will be made available for attempt before releasing the official Match Day results. This is notified through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). If not selected, be prepared for another round of SOAP residency interview questions. Students are informed about the programs to which they are matched by the Friday of the Match Week.
A well-crafted and visually appealing curriculum vitae is the first and most crucial step in your residency application process. It is one of the first documents that the selection committee members will peruse to learn about your interests, accomplishments, academic achievements, etc. It is the first criteria that will determine whether your application is placed in the rejection pile or not. You should think of your CV as a window into who you are. You are selling yourself through your CV. Hence, keep it personalized, distinct and well-written. In today’s uber competitive world, you need to know how to stand out from your competition. The CV is the first step that can grab the admission committee’s attention. Always assume that this is the first and last chance to make an unforgettable impression with them!
I am an experienced counsellor who has helped hundreds of students achieve their residency goals. I will assist you with the following:
Expert guidance for international medical graduates and MBBS students seeking US residencies and advanced degrees.
©2024. All Rights Reserved.
Developed By
