Help A Neurosurgeon - Who's wrong and who isn't

Tomsmithbloke · 22-03-08, 19:58

Hello forum, I'm Mr. Thomas Smith-Bloke, a British brain surgeon who works out of the NHS Surrey Trust. Bloke is a surname, and I'm 'Mr.' not 'Dr.' due to the conventions within the surgical profession here in the UK. I am facing a dilemma, and actually need the help of everyone who reads this. I've been told so many different things I don't know where to start...please clarify and help me if you can. In brief, here's my story:

I am about to marry an American woman. We are both 46 years old. I have been a brain surgeon for almost fifteen years, and wanted to keep living in the UK - my wife wouldn't move on account of her children. I've decided to go over to the US myself. Here, the difficulties start.

When I was young, my parents travelled around the globe a lot, and as a result I attended a foreign medical school. On returning to the UK, my brother and I sat for the the equivalent of the PLAB in those days, and started specialising. I am accomplished in my field, and have notched up a reasonably good track record of undertaking paediatric neurosurgery cases as well. I was told that, if I move to the US, my specialisation and fellowships here with the Royal college of Surgeons are essentially meaningless. I can work as a doctor because my schools are on FAIMER and IMED, but I would have to RESTART MY NEUROSURGICAL SPECIALISATION. Is this correct?

I once read that all medical graduates who studied in the UK DO NOT NEED TO SIT FOR THE USMLE. There is a reciprocal agreement whereby US and UK minisitries of health recognise each other's schools. Recently, a fellow surgeon told me I am mistaken. He lived and worked in the US about thirty years ago and had to be examined before he was allowed. Thereafter, I called the British Council and they said I WAS NOT mistaken, and that Americans DO NOT SIT FOR THE PLAB IN THE UK AS BRITISHERS DO NOT SIT FOR THE USMLE IN THE US. Who is right? Maybe the USMLE waiver is recent? I simply don't know who to turn to for a correct answer. I asked our chief of surgery and he said 'You shouldn't have to be tested for anything' - my brother (a gynaecologist) disagrees, and thinks I will be tested alongside all other recent graduates as though we had the same experience!!! (no offence intended) Can you imagine the frustration? I have already sat for a UK exam similar to the PLAB (AGES AGO) and I passed with flying colours, but do I have to retake any exams and thus study and prepare, and update myself in General medicine as well as my specialty, before I move to US?

Please help me. My move is imperative and impending. Thank you.

doctor_b · 01-04-08, 17:44

First off, congratulations on the impending wedding.

Your colleague is indeed correct - every physician who wants to practice in the States must pass the USMLE exams. In our case (as Johnny Foreigner), we have to apply to the ECFMG (www.ecfmg.org) for these exams. The exams themselves are computer-based and can be taken in any one of several centres in the UK.

I've looked into the American Board of Neurosurgery (www.abns.org) regulations for you and it seems you cannot sit their exam and become "Board Certified" without having done a residency in the US [5-year training programme]. What this means is that you would be unlikely to secure a job in an academic centre, but you should be able so swing one in private practive. [As an aside, you are eligible, with your FRCS and experience, to apply for Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons FACS (www.facs.org)... this will help in securing a job].

Very best of luck!

22-03-08, 19:58	#1
Tomsmithbloke Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2	Help A Neurosurgeon - Who's wrong and who isn't Hello forum, I'm Mr. Thomas Smith-Bloke, a British brain surgeon who works out of the NHS Surrey Trust. Bloke is a surname, and I'm 'Mr.' not 'Dr.' due to the conventions within the surgical profession here in the UK. I am facing a dilemma, and actually need the help of everyone who reads this. I've been told so many different things I don't know where to start...please clarify and help me if you can. In brief, here's my story: I am about to marry an American woman. We are both 46 years old. I have been a brain surgeon for almost fifteen years, and wanted to keep living in the UK - my wife wouldn't move on account of her children. I've decided to go over to the US myself. Here, the difficulties start. When I was young, my parents travelled around the globe a lot, and as a result I attended a foreign medical school. On returning to the UK, my brother and I sat for the the equivalent of the PLAB in those days, and started specialising. I am accomplished in my field, and have notched up a reasonably good track record of undertaking paediatric neurosurgery cases as well. I was told that, if I move to the US, my specialisation and fellowships here with the Royal college of Surgeons are essentially meaningless. I can work as a doctor because my schools are on FAIMER and IMED, but I would have to RESTART MY NEUROSURGICAL SPECIALISATION. Is this correct? I once read that all medical graduates who studied in the UK DO NOT NEED TO SIT FOR THE USMLE. There is a reciprocal agreement whereby US and UK minisitries of health recognise each other's schools. Recently, a fellow surgeon told me I am mistaken. He lived and worked in the US about thirty years ago and had to be examined before he was allowed. Thereafter, I called the British Council and they said I WAS NOT mistaken, and that Americans DO NOT SIT FOR THE PLAB IN THE UK AS BRITISHERS DO NOT SIT FOR THE USMLE IN THE US. Who is right? Maybe the USMLE waiver is recent? I simply don't know who to turn to for a correct answer. I asked our chief of surgery and he said 'You shouldn't have to be tested for anything' - my brother (a gynaecologist) disagrees, and thinks I will be tested alongside all other recent graduates as though we had the same experience!!! (no offence intended) Can you imagine the frustration? I have already sat for a UK exam similar to the PLAB (AGES AGO) and I passed with flying colours, but do I have to retake any exams and thus study and prepare, and update myself in General medicine as well as my specialty, before I move to US? Please help me. My move is imperative and impending. Thank you.
OFF CALL

01-04-08, 17:44	#2
doctor_b Gary Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Age: 30 Posts: 145	First off, congratulations on the impending wedding. Your colleague is indeed correct - every physician who wants to practice in the States must pass the USMLE exams. In our case (as Johnny Foreigner), we have to apply to the ECFMG (www.ecfmg.org) for these exams. The exams themselves are computer-based and can be taken in any one of several centres in the UK. I've looked into the American Board of Neurosurgery (www.abns.org) regulations for you and it seems you cannot sit their exam and become "Board Certified" without having done a residency in the US [5-year training programme]. What this means is that you would be unlikely to secure a job in an academic centre, but you should be able so swing one in private practive. [As an aside, you are eligible, with your FRCS and experience, to apply for Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons FACS (www.facs.org)... this will help in securing a job]. Very best of luck!
OFF CALL