The Student Room Group

Why don't doctors just move to the US?

Hi!

I'm a year 11 student, taking Bio Chem Maths FM next year. I'm going to be making a couple more threads potentially in the next few weeks out of curiosity so stay tuned!

Although I am fully aware I shouldn't really be thinking about this at all right now, I've frequently noticed there's such a massive pay gap between doctors here and in the US or UAE.

Now I've always wanted to go into medicine, not sure about specialisms yet though. I feel like it's almost heroic, aware you're impacting hundreds, thousands of lives for the better. The last thing I'm worried about is student debt, salaries etc. It's a secure career, on top of it being respected.

But just yesterday, whilst scrolling through tiktok at 3AM like the person I am, I found a vid on the huge pay difference between doctors in different countries; averaging 300-400k in America, compared to an NHS consultant's salary of 71k.

When I spoke to my dad about this, he said there's so much more to it than that, including private work and surgery. The more advanced the specialism, the higher the salary in essence.

What I'm trying to ask is basically why don't doctors just move to the US after getting qualified as a GP etc? Why not just work there for like 3 years, then come back to the UK and be comfortable, without having to work 3 times as many years before feeling financially free? Is it not possible? Is it really complicated? Exams, qualifications etc.?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
2 reasons immediately spring to mind;
1) They don't want to
2) Many are in it for the good they can do. Not to rip off the sick and force them into penury.
Original post by TakeALittleWalk
Hi!

I'm a year 11 student, taking Bio Chem Maths FM next year. I'm going to be making a couple more threads potentially in the next few weeks out of curiosity so stay tuned!

Although I am fully aware I shouldn't really be thinking about this at all right now, I've frequently noticed there's such a massive pay gap between doctors here and in the US or UAE.

Now I've always wanted to go into medicine, not sure about specialisms yet though. I feel like it's almost heroic, aware you're impacting hundreds, thousands of lives for the better. The last thing I'm worried about is student debt, salaries etc. It's a secure career, on top of it being respected.

But just yesterday, whilst scrolling through tiktok at 3AM like the person I am, I found a vid on the huge pay difference between doctors in different countries; averaging 300-400k in America, compared to an NHS consultant's salary of 71k.

When I spoke to my dad about this, he said there's so much more to it than that, including private work and surgery. The more advanced the specialism, the higher the salary in essence.

What I'm trying to ask is basically why don't doctors just move to the US after getting qualified as a GP etc? Why not just work there for like 3 years, then come back to the UK and be comfortable, without having to work 3 times as many years before feeling financially free? Is it not possible? Is it really complicated? Exams, qualifications etc.?


google "UK vs US doctor working hours per week" and you will see why.
Reply 3
Original post by Napp
2 reasons immediately spring to mind;
1) They don't want to
2) Many are in it for the good they can do. Not to rip off the sick and force them into penury.

Ah of course, the healthcare system is practically corrupt over there. Also I rate the pfp, Mr Tucker!
i would never live in america lol
Reply 5
if doctors move to america there would be none in the UK plus the pay in the UK is better
Reply 6
Original post by rxyaltyx
i would never live in america lol

Abel do be living there tho :yeah:

Yeah I'd be worried for my life to be honest.

Original post by A Rolling Stone
google "UK vs US doctor working hours per week" and you will see why.

Yeah I definitely feel like it'd take a toll on you both mentally and physically, working so intensively. But surely in the long run, working for a couple years there then returning would be fine?
Reply 7
Original post by kadiatuj0001
if doctors move to america there would be none in the UK plus the pay in the UK is better

Is that accounting for like healthcare insurance?
Original post by TakeALittleWalk
Abel do be living there tho :yeah:

you cant do that to me :cry2:
Reply 9
Original post by rxyaltyx
i would never live in america lol

Might one ask why? I mean aside from a few social ills it is a stunning country.
Original post by Napp
Might one ask why? I mean aside from a few social ills it is a stunning country.

i just dont like the government and their ways. for example there's no maternity leave or sick days in america
Original post by TakeALittleWalk
Is that accounting for like healthcare insurance?

for healthcare insurance
Reply 12
Original post by rxyaltyx
i just dont like the government and their ways. for example there's no maternity leave or sick days in america

Ahh can't fault you there.
Original post by Napp
Might one ask why? I mean aside from a few social ills it is a stunning country.

Stunning country but run by a half wit.
Reply 14
Original post by kadiatuj0001
for healthcare insurance

I do see where you're coming from. What I'm suggesting though is like a few years worth of work there, before returning.
I am pretty sure that there are a whole bunch of hoops (and exams, internships, etc) to jump through before a UK qualified doctor can work in the US.
Reply 16
Original post by squeakysquirrel
Stunning country but run by a half wit.

Now, now, don't be coy. We all know that comment is egregiously offensive to actual half wits the world over... lumping them in with Trump #sad :tongue:
Well why doesn't everyone just move to the US?!?! :confused:

(It begins with an A)
Reply 18
Original post by ReadingMum
I am pretty sure that there are a whole bunch of hoops (and exams, internships, etc) to jump through before a UK qualified doctor can work in the US.

Yeah I'm trying to find some sort of explained, in-depth version of this. Can a doctor just fly out of the country, land in America and work there for two years? Probably not lool.
Reply 19
Physician - Family Practice Salary | Salary.comwww.salary.com Research Healthcare - Practitioners
The average Physician - Family Practice salary in the United States is $206,476 as of June 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $181,861 and $236,955.

Still a lot more than in the UK though right?
^ I honestly have no idea if this is accurate, but either way that's a downer. Even surgeons and people in derma? That's a shame.

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending