[Tuvok1153]

Hi! I am hoping to study Medicine with and intercalated degree of Neuroscience in the UK, then stay in the UK until I become a consultant. I am thinking of staying in the UK, but I am also curious about working in the US. How long would it take for me to become an attending Neurosurgeon in the US if I was a consultant Neurosurgeon in the UK and what would I have to do?

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Tuvok1153)
Hi! I am hoping to study Medicine with and intercalated degree of Neuroscience in the UK, then stay in the UK until I become a consultant. I am thinking of staying in the UK, but I am also curious about working in the US. How long would it take for me to become an attending Neurosurgeon in the US if I was a consultant Neurosurgeon in the UK and what would I have to do?

Don't you have to do your residency (specialty training) in the US again, then do a fellowship, then become an attending?

[TooSexyForMyStethoscope]

(Original post by Tuvok1153)
Hi! I am hoping to study Medicine with and intercalated degree of Neuroscience in the UK, then stay in the UK until I become a consultant. I am thinking of staying in the UK, but I am also curious about working in the US. How long would it take for me to become an attending Neurosurgeon in the US if I was a consultant Neurosurgeon in the UK and what would I have to do?

When you are a Consultant Neurosurgeon, start a similar thread. Until then there is nothing we can offer but conjecture based on the frankly farcical suggestion that someone who is as yet not even a doctor will be in this position.

[.eXe]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
Don't you have to do your residency (specialty training) in the US again, then do a fellowship, then become an attending?

Yeah you'd have to do residency again, unless you manage to get a fellowship position (which are super hard to get) but if you do win that lottery, then you can get a staff position following the fellowship, without having to redo residency.

Just to make it clear...fellowship in US and Canada follows residency. One cannot be a fellow without having completed the relevant residency.

Also, +1 to TooSexy's advice.

[Hippysnake]

The American training system heavily favours doctors graduating within America. Unless you become a Consultant Neurosurgeon and you pioneer some revolutionary surgery, you'd be tough placed to get a decent residency let alone any attending position

[.eXe]

(Original post by Hippysnake)
The American training system heavily favours doctors graduating within America. Unless you become a Consultant Neurosurgeon and you pioneer some revolutionary surgery, you'd be tough placed to get a decent residency let alone any attending position

Not necessarily true to be honest. I think you were thinking of the Canadian system which is pretty much inaccessible to IMG's. The American system is actually much better, especially since almost all Caribbean grads end up working in America somewhere. But yes, it is very difficult and chances are IMGs won't be matching into sought after residencies such as surgery, derm or plastics (not to say its impossible but extremely difficult). Most IMGs in America end up in FP or internal.

[Hippysnake]

(Original post by .eXe)
Not necessarily true to be honest. I think you were thinking of the Canadian system which is pretty much inaccessible to IMG's. The American system is actually much better, especially since almost all Caribbean grads end up working in America somewhere. But yes, it is very difficult and chances are IMGs won't be matching into sought after residencies such as surgery, derm or plastics (not to say its impossible but extremely difficult). Most IMGs in America end up in FP or internal.

I've read and heard otherwise. There was a USLME(?) guy walking around trying to advertise jobs in America outside my med school, after talking to him for a bit he pretty much acknowledged we'd be stone walled when applying for any speciality training positions.

[TooSexyForMyStethoscope]

(Original post by Hippysnake)
I've read and heard otherwise. There was a USLME(?) guy walking around trying to advertise jobs in America outside my med school, after talking to him for a bit he pretty much acknowledged we'd be stone walled when applying for any speciality training positions.

Sounds like a pretty thankless task really, trying to sell something that doesn't exist

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by .eXe)
Not necessarily true to be honest. I think you were thinking of the Canadian system which is pretty much inaccessible to IMG's. The American system is actually much better, especially since almost all Caribbean grads end up working in America somewhere. But yes, it is very difficult and chances are IMGs won't be matching into sought after residencies such as surgery, derm or plastics (not to say its impossible but extremely difficult). Most IMGs in America end up in FP or internal.

'Derm' as in dermatology??

[.eXe]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
'Derm' as in dermatology??

Oh yes, highly competitive field since it's literally chilling in the office all day. Boring as hell but they make a lot of money, especially these days when cosmetic prices are off the charts. I know several derms who do consulting with big pharma companies and get fat paychecks from them as well (and according to them this is the norm in their specialty).

Not to mention, very very low doctor overhead since lawsuit probability is low.

In terms of compensation, I can only speak of North America, but dermatologists are some of the most highly paid specialists.. comparable to radiologists and surgeons.

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by .eXe)
Oh yes, highly competitive field since it's literally chilling in the office all day. Boring as hell but they make a lot of money, especially these days when cosmetic prices are off the charts. I know several derms who do consulting with big pharma companies and get fat paychecks from them as well (and according to them this is the norm in their specialty).

Not to mention, very very low doctor overhead since lawsuit probability is low.

In terms of compensation, I can only speak of North America, but dermatologists are some of the most highly paid specialists.. comparable to radiologists and surgeons.

I understand surgeons getting bucket loads of pay, and sort of why dermatologists as well, but radiologists????!!

[Organ]

Seriously, Australia and New Zealand are about a billion times easier. Why the USA?

(Original post by thegodofgod)
I understand surgeons getting bucket loads of pay, and sort of why dermatologists as well, but radiologists????!!

Part of the radiology high pay is because radiologists have high malpractice insurance.

[Organ]

(Original post by Hippysnake)
I've read and heard otherwise. There was a USLME(?) guy walking around trying to advertise jobs in America outside my med school, after talking to him for a bit he pretty much acknowledged we'd be stone walled when applying for any speciality training positions.

As a Brit grad it isn't that tough to get into certain things.

Family med, paeds and so on are straightforward.

The USA suffers a doctor shortage - but only in certain specialities and regions.

Neurosurgery in Boston is pretty much impossible as an IMG, internal medicine in Idaho is easier etc

[Organ]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
'Derm' as in dermatology??

Nope, dermaholiday.

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Organ)
Seriously, Australia and New Zealand are about a billion times easier. Why the USA?



Part of the radiology high pay is because radiologists have high malpractice insurance.

Is there a reason for that?

[digitalis]

(Original post by Hippysnake)
I've read and heard otherwise. There was a USLME(?) guy walking around trying to advertise jobs in America outside my med school, after talking to him for a bit he pretty much acknowledged we'd be stone walled when applying for any speciality training positions.

Nah, that's rubbish. Done the USMLE Step 1, doing Step 2CK and have my CS booked. Done sub-internship in the US and spoken to program directors. Know a UK grad who is now finishing up her cardiology fellowship at a very reputable institution.

It all depends what you want to do really. Some specialities aren't really worth your time applying for, they have been said already, especially if you need a visa (derm, ortho, rads, IR, eyes, ENT) but others you stand a decent chance of matching somewhere good if you are a UK grad with good scores, letters of recommendation from US attendings, good sub-Is, publications etc.

To the OP: If you were a consultant neurosurgeon in the UK looking for an unrestricted license to practise in the US, you would need to redo a general surgical residency then a neurosurgical fellowship.

[Organ]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
Is there a reason for that?

failure to diagnose cancers etc

apparently anyone who does a substantial amount of mammography is bound to get sued in america.

[digitalis]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
I understand surgeons getting bucket loads of pay, and sort of why dermatologists as well, but radiologists????!!

This is why diagnostic radiology is in such high demand as a career.



All you need to report images. Lifestyle: tick. Think about the pay. How many films could you report an hour?

[.eXe]

(Original post by digitalis)
This is why diagnostic radiology is in such high demand as a career.



All you need to report images. Lifestyle: tick. Think about the pay. How many films could you report an hour?

And for a large part, Interventional radiology. Freaking takes a long time to specialize in it but is so worth it. One of the highest insurance/overhead rates though. But I guess it isn't as chills as diagnostic rads

[Organ]

(Original post by digitalis)
Nah, that's rubbish. Done the USMLE Step 1, doing Step 2CK and have my CS booked. Done sub-internship in the US and spoken to program directors. Know a UK grad who is now finishing up her cardiology fellowship at a very reputable institution.

It all depends what you want to do really. Some specialities aren't really worth your time applying for, they have been said already, especially if you need a visa (derm, ortho, rads, IR, eyes, ENT) but others you stand a decent chance of matching somewhere good if you are a UK grad with good scores, letters of recommendation from US attendings, good sub-Is, publications etc.

To the OP: If you were a consultant neurosurgeon in the UK looking for an unrestricted license to practise in the US, you would need to redo a general surgical residency then a neurosurgical fellowship.

What is the likelihood of matching in a mid range competitive speciality like oncology in somewhere like Seattle/Chicago/Boston/San Diego/Miami etc?