[docsasmit]

hey folks,
I went to a promotional seminar of Kaplan, India today....the lecturer there, a resident associated with Kaplan medical, said that the American Medical Association is looking up to NRMP to fill the gap in residents they are facing due to dearth of American graduates...the person also highlighted that in next 5 years...the situation will remain same and chances of IMGs getting a match is bright....

However from the discussion in this forum earlier, I thought the situation was reverse??!! can anyone shed some divine light upon this issue...

I think it was a marketing gimmick of Kaplan to draw more students? or is it that he is saying the truth??

 

[Mondoshawan]

I have no divine light to shed, just a perspective from on the ground in the U.S: What that person said is true but a little misleading. There are plenty of unfilled residency spots in community-based primary care residencies, and the chances of an IMG matching into one of these should be good. However, IMG's have the same dreams as AMG's, and so naturally they want to compete for the same residencies: university-based programs that feed into fellowships in specialties with the highest pay. The way the system is, AMG's have a huge advantage in competing for these, and that will probably not change. In addition American medical schools are increasing their class sizes, and so there will be a steady increase in the number of AMG competing for the favorite spots. So, there will remain room and opportunity for IMG's, but it won't get any easier to compete for the spots that everyone seems to want.

 

[docsasmit]

ok...at least it confirms that the future is not bleak! IMGs still can compete in next few years at least!

 

[StepTaker]

My opinion

Although there's a significant shortage of physicians in training (residents) in USA. It's unlikely that this shortage going to be covered by IMGs in the foreseeable future.

Here are the reasons:

- Medicare (the federal fund that is responsible for resident training expenses) did not increase the number of residency positions and therefore the shortage will stay the same.

- US medical schools have stepped up the number of graduates by up to 15% in some cases. Therefore, if ever they increase the number of residency position they will be covered by US grads rahter than IMGs.

Bottom line, I think the situation will stay the same for the next 5 years or so. I mean not easier and not more difficult than today.