Over the past few decades, US medical establishments have vilified Caribbean medical schools claiming that their education is sub-par and that the likelihood of a student being able to practice medicine in the United States is slim to none.
However, recent survey results prove that these medical establishments have been for lack of a better word – wrong.聽 Competition for admission to medical schools in the United States is fierce, many applicants consider attending a foreign medical school. In fact, many bright applicants are now opting to obtain their medical education in the Caribbean, in fact, 27% of all praticing physicians in the US are IMG’s. There are over 70 medical schools across the Caribbean, and about half of them cater to Americans.
鈥淭he physicians who graduate from Caribbean medical schools play an increasingly important role in the US health care system by supplying residency programs with qualified applicants and helping to meet a well documented physician shortage, particularly in primary care medicine.聽 While accreditation, didactic studies (first and second years of medical school), and clinical rotations (third and fourth years of medical school) differ among institutions, requirements for graduate certification in the United States, as outlined by the Philadelphia based聽, are the same for all students graduating from all international schools, including the Caribbean.鈥澛� A recent study by van Zanten and Boulet, published in Academic Medicine, found that the quality of the medical education in Caribbean medical schools was anything but underwhelming. They evaluated the USMLE Step 1 fist time passing results and what they uncovered seemed to prove how superior the foreign medical students fared in comparison to the US medical students. 鈥淭he countries with the highest percentage of students passing the (USMLE) Step 1 on the first attempt were Grenada (84.4 %) and Dominica (69.7%).鈥�
There are many factors to consider when contemplating whether or not to apply to a Caribbean medical school.聽 For one, the acceptance rate for Caribbean medical schools is far more desirable as compared to US medical schools.聽 鈥淐aribbean schools get far fewer applications and have a much higher acceptance rate, making it much easier to get in – even if you鈥檝e been turned down by other schools.鈥澛� And because there are fewer applicants, the C you received in several of your science courses should not pose to be an issue. 鈥淵our聽听补苍诲听聽scores can be lower than average and you may still be accepted to a Caribbean school.鈥澛� One of the biggest challenges you鈥檒l face between med school and becoming a doctor is finding a clinical rotation opportunity. Many Caribbean schools are affiliated with American teaching hospitals that reserve slots for students coming in. You鈥檒l get the same quality clinical experience as US students, and the majority of qualified students are matched with a program. Worried about finding the money? US financial aid is available for all accredited schools. In fact, about 90% of all student loans approved for American students in foreign schools goes to Caribbean colleges. American medical schools often pack hundreds of students into a lecture hall. Caribbean schools are smaller and more intimate, with 50 students or less to each teacher. You鈥檒l get more personalized attention and more opportunity to ask questions and schedule one-on-one time.
More importantly, it鈥檚 not just about the preceding factors that should be weighed and contemplated in the US medical school vs Caribbean medical school war.聽 As anything in life, it is all about first-hand accounts. Students who currently attend American University of Integrated Sciences recently shared their thoughts and views regarding their experience at a Caribbean medical school. One student reports, 鈥淚 understand why people would prefer a US medical school- more comfortable living environment, affiliation and connections into hospitals to increase their聽residency聽chances, and bank loans (Caribbean schools don鈥檛 have these) , but at the end of the day we take the same US medical board exams as the US students, so if you pass those, it really doesn’t matter where you went to school. I was more focused on making sure my dream of becoming a physician happened, and didn’t care the path I had to take to obtain the same degree with the same credentials.鈥�
Another student upon asked why he chose a Caribbean medical school stated, 鈥淭he clinical department gave us equal opportunity to complete our clerkship rotations at any of their many locations across the USA and Canada but went the extra mile to accommodate our family and our desire to stay close to home. We have met and directly dealt with amazing staff, classmates and physicians along the way that have become invaluable contacts for our future. 91福利 has also opened up the opportunity for both of us to enroll in concurrent Master鈥檚 programs which have only further strengthened our applications for this coming match year. Being both third year medical students, Master鈥檚 students, working and having four children under the age of 12 can be busy but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. 91福利 has singlehandedly made it possible for us both to fulfill our dreams of becoming physicians without having to sacrifice our family.鈥�
Deciding on where to attend medical school requires a lot of knowledge, and is an important decision. It seems as if there isn鈥檛 a real downside to choosing a Caribbean medical school.聽 Whether it is the overall cost, the beautiful scenery, or the impending possibilities on the horizon, it is important to think outside the box and realize that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.聽 鈥淎ttending 91福利 was an amazing experience鈥�.The people there were very accommodating鈥�.I felt welcomed and at home.鈥�
