WHAT RESIDENCIES ARE TOUGH FOR IMGs..
The general principle is that International Medical Graduates get what the American Medical Graduates don't want.
The following Residencies are generally considered very tough for IMGs and would need extremely high qualifications and good contacts to get in:
- Dermatology - Just Toooooooooooo tough for IMGs :-(
- Radiology - Though Direct Fellowships without Residency seem to working
- Orthopedics
- Ophthalmology
- Emergency Medicine
- PMR
- Anesthesia - is now joining the ranks !
- G. Surgery (Tough but not Impossible - In fact over the recent years it seems to be getting a bit easier to get!)
But I would decline to say these are impossible ! For those who simply want to get into these residencies , definitely apply - but apply with a backup in something like IM / FP ! Suppose you don't get interviews in the above Specialties - atleast you can match with the interviews in IM, then enter IM and and try for your field of choice again in the following years. Because, then you will have the advantage of US experience and also hopefully make contacts with the right people :-)
Since IM and FM remain the top application choices amongst IMGs / FMGs, we wouldn't be wrong if we rechristened IMG-FMGs as Internal Medicine Graduates (IMG) - Family Medicine Graduates (FMG) ...would we ? ;-) He He
Q. What Residency Specialties are Easier for IMGs ?
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine / Practice (they mean the same)
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics-Gynecology
- G. Surgery is getting easier than before
- Neurology has many IMGs too , a friend of mine with 99/99 did have 12 Neurology Interview Calls in 2006, but may be getting tougher
Pathology is getting tougher too, as more and more AMGs are finding it attractive.
To Get a sense of things, a 2004 survey by the New England Journal of Medicine reported that
"In 2004 the specialties that had the greatest percentage of IMGs in residency programs were pathology (44%), internal medicine (40%), neurology (36%), and psychiatry (36%). The specialties with the lowest percentages of IMGs were orthopedic surgery (2%), otolaryngology (2%), dermatology (4%), and emergency medicine (4%)"
The article also said that the specialties which saw an increase in IMGs from 2000 to 2004 are: Family Medicine, Obs-Gynecology and General Surgery. On the other hand, the specialties in which the IMG proportions fell during the same period were Anesthesiology, Neurology and Radiation Oncology, indicating these are getting tougher to get in.
Read the complete NEJM article here.
Search keywords to this blog article:
- "Specialties USA "Most IMG Friendly"
- "non competitive residency IMG"
- "non competetive residency IMG"
The following Residencies are generally considered very tough for IMGs and would need extremely high qualifications and good contacts to get in:
- Dermatology - Just Toooooooooooo tough for IMGs :-(
- Radiology - Though Direct Fellowships without Residency seem to working
- Orthopedics
- Ophthalmology
- Emergency Medicine
- PMR
- Anesthesia - is now joining the ranks !
- G. Surgery (Tough but not Impossible - In fact over the recent years it seems to be getting a bit easier to get!)
But I would decline to say these are impossible ! For those who simply want to get into these residencies , definitely apply - but apply with a backup in something like IM / FP ! Suppose you don't get interviews in the above Specialties - atleast you can match with the interviews in IM, then enter IM and and try for your field of choice again in the following years. Because, then you will have the advantage of US experience and also hopefully make contacts with the right people :-)
Since IM and FM remain the top application choices amongst IMGs / FMGs, we wouldn't be wrong if we rechristened IMG-FMGs as Internal Medicine Graduates (IMG) - Family Medicine Graduates (FMG) ...would we ? ;-) He He
Q. What Residency Specialties are Easier for IMGs ?
- Internal Medicine
- Family Medicine / Practice (they mean the same)
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics-Gynecology
- G. Surgery is getting easier than before
- Neurology has many IMGs too , a friend of mine with 99/99 did have 12 Neurology Interview Calls in 2006, but may be getting tougher
Pathology is getting tougher too, as more and more AMGs are finding it attractive.
To Get a sense of things, a 2004 survey by the New England Journal of Medicine reported that
"In 2004 the specialties that had the greatest percentage of IMGs in residency programs were pathology (44%), internal medicine (40%), neurology (36%), and psychiatry (36%). The specialties with the lowest percentages of IMGs were orthopedic surgery (2%), otolaryngology (2%), dermatology (4%), and emergency medicine (4%)"
The article also said that the specialties which saw an increase in IMGs from 2000 to 2004 are: Family Medicine, Obs-Gynecology and General Surgery. On the other hand, the specialties in which the IMG proportions fell during the same period were Anesthesiology, Neurology and Radiation Oncology, indicating these are getting tougher to get in.
Read the complete NEJM article here.
Search keywords to this blog article:
- "Specialties USA "Most IMG Friendly"
- "non competitive residency IMG"
- "non competetive residency IMG"
Labels: IMGs
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posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 7:17 PM
Comments on "WHAT RESIDENCIES ARE TOUGH FOR IMGs.."
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (September 11, 2007 7:19 PM) :
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Docmle1 said ... (November 17, 2007 1:29 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (November 17, 2007 1:29 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (February 26, 2008 12:39 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (February 27, 2008 6:33 AM) :
Post Your Comment !Anonymous said ... (May 23, 2006 10:44 PM) :
your messages are real good and informative
how to go for this observership programs?how do we get certification for immunisation status as these hospitals are asking for these
mjpat said ... (June 13, 2006 12:40 PM) :
hi
your info and experience is good and i can rely on it as far as my experience goes.
could u list some IMG friendly residencies for SURGERY (both cat and prelim) or transitional.
also some IMG friendly states too.
i have heard NY residencies r most IMG friendly????
looking forward toyour reply
mss
Anonymous said ... (June 25, 2006 11:23 AM) :
hey digidoc, ur doing a fab job!,, i jus wonder how do u get al the time to do all this stuff.. jus had one query tho.. is neuro moving to eras this year? whats the procedure to apply ,, jus lemme know.. email is bindaasguy@hotmail.com.. thanx dude.. cheers@!
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (June 25, 2006 12:42 PM) :
thanx dude...Yes Neuro is moving to NRMP this year !!
Anonymous said ... (June 27, 2006 8:42 PM) :
hi digital doc,no words to appreciate your job......got answers for all my queries.........hats off dude
Clyde said ... (August 17, 2006 12:55 PM) :
I have got a score of 97 in Step1 .
What are my chances of getting Psychiatry and H1 B visa .
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (August 21, 2006 5:03 PM) :
pretty good on that score...but remember other things matter too - like applying on time..US experience etc...but yeah...scores first :-)
Anonymous said ... (September 29, 2006 7:28 PM) :
I have got 97/99 in step 1 and Ck resp...what r the chances in neurology for an IMG....with no USCE...but want only a J1 Visa...
i m so worried abt it ???
n ur site...i will tell after my CS results....hahahaaaaa.....i prepared entirelty frm ur site !!!!!
God Bless ya....
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (September 30, 2006 6:53 PM) :
Neurology has been a shade easier until last year when it was obtained thru SFmatch with earlier deadlines and lot many IMGs were aware of that match. This tim (rfom 2007 match), Neurology will be offered thru NRMP and should see a little more competition. Yet, many more will take up IM residencies than Neruo so that they can decide a specialty later. ur scores are no doubt billiant and should be a great help :-)
And do let us know your CS results :-)
Anonymous said ... (October 28, 2006 2:15 PM) :
I am aplying for pathology. Can you please tell me how easy or difficult is it to get. My scores are 99/89. CS cleared
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (October 31, 2006 5:53 PM) :
those r good scores and will help - but pathology is generally getting tougher..do read why in the pathology link on this blog sidebar
Anonymous said ... (April 05, 2007 3:20 AM) :
hi i am an img 4m india(fresh graduate)n want 2 take up residensy in anesthesia.....i have 99 in step 1 n waitin 4 step 2 ck result.i plan 2 do observerships in anesthesia 4 three months....but will dat be enuf 4 me 2 get into a residensy in anesthesia....how do i increase ny chances 4 same?if i apply to both anesthesia n medicine @same places wil dat put a bad impression during interviews?
pls help...
Anonymous said ... (April 05, 2007 10:56 AM) :
Hi,I am from INDIA.At present I am doing as a duty doctor in a dispensary in my place along with my step preparation.Does the clinical experience counts for me during the match if I do it for one year.
superdoc said ... (June 01, 2007 6:54 PM) :
I don't understand one point, EM is neither very high paying, nor very easy (work wise, we all know it is very stressful), even then AMGs are really crazy about this, can u explain this please (and please don't say that this is coz of TV series ER and 'House' etc)
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (June 01, 2007 7:44 PM) :
Its hectic while you are working, but the work itself is traditionally shift-based and they dont take calls - its like a hectic 8-hour day and then you are done..unlike the internists or surgeons who have to be on call and may have lotsa work hours a week
well - most places where they have enough ER guys, thats the case - though in some rural areas or places where you are the only guy or one of the few guys, that makes being on call required
Anonymous said ... (July 14, 2007 1:28 AM) :
hi digital doc.....congrats for excellent site...
hey i have greencard n just gave step1...want to go in neurology/cardiology....
do we have to do internal medicine first n then apply for these specialities or we can directly apply in them?
Digitaldoc, MD said ... (July 24, 2007 9:42 AM) :
Neurology is a residency and needs a year in internal medicine (either PGY1 Categorical or transitional/prelim before you can join the categorical neurology program), while cardiology is a fellowship and needs completion of a 3-year Internal Medicine residency to be eligible
Hi digitaldoc,
Iam an old grad,8 years old and an IMG in Canada.
1)Graduation year means the year of completion including 1 year of intership(which was a compulsory rotatory internship)or is it excluding the internship?
2)I plan to join observership at a family physician's clinic from next Jan.Can I do observerships with TWO DIFFERENT ;PHYSICIANS during the SAME TIME PERIOD say jan to july,that will help me to get two different LOR s in same time period,or can I not do that and have to observe with only one physician at a time?
Please reply.
doc_mle1
1. Put the grauduation u year as the last day of your med-school internship..coz, you aint done with medical school until you complete that last day
2. Yes, you can - when you fill up your ERAS application, mention each observership as a half-time experience
Hi Digitaldoc,
My name is Robert; I'm an IMG from Argentina, graduated on 2005 from med school, step scores: step1 80 on second attempt; step2ck 76 step 2 cs passed, both on first attempt, now I'm finishing my 1st year as a resident in Gen Surg here in Argentina, I'm a green card holder, I had the opportunity to make an Externship in a Clinic for 3 months in New York under the supervision of an Internal Medicine Doctor who let me perform some basic medical and surgical procedures, while I was preparing for the step2 CS.
I know my chances are very low to get into General Surgery because of my low scores, please give me some advices to improve my chances.
Somebody told me to finish my residence here and then try the gen sur residency in USA, and another friend told me to try getting into FM, finish that, and then try Gen Sur as a Senior Physician, Again I will appreciate your advice and thanks for your great work here. God be with you.
Thanks for dropping by Dr. Robert. General Surgery is tough but not impossible, and when any specialty is tough, my take is to NOT Give up your current backup. Your current surgery residency and your externship will help, though scores are the lower side - which again make me think that it would be better to finish the residency in your own country - and then one more option opens up...applying for direct surgery fellowships in the US. Also, try to get two-three research publications in surgery during your residency there, in an indexed journal - i.e. a journal which appears on Pubmed search. Do read about Direct Fellowships on this blog too.
Now, if you simply have to move to the US without caring too much abotu what specialty you get in, then you may move into IM / FM - after which switching is possible to Surgery, but not always easy and there is no guarantee there either.