Smack in the middle of President Trump’s 90-day suspension on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries is a date sure to be marked on medical students’ calendars: March 17. Match Day.
That’s when thousands of students at medical schools in the United States and around the world find out if and where they’ve “matched” for a residency program, where they will begin to practice as doctors for the first time and further develop their skills.
But Trump’s executive order on immigration, issued on national security grounds, has thrown the process into disarray. Some physicians-in-training have been left wondering if they will be allowed into the country to start their programs, while hospitals are weighing whether to risk reserving coveted spots for students who might not be able to fill them. Medical students and residency programs have to submit rankings of their preferences by Feb. 22.
Years ago when I was applying to residency I found that many programs would not consider Visa holders (both H1-B and J-1). “Too many problems” is what many program directors would say, even if they didn’t explicitly state it on their application. While the Trump Executive Order may have increased that sentiment among programs, it’s hardly new. I think this article is a bit hyperbolic in that regard.
And let’s get real for a moment. The IMGs applying for these residency spots are doing it mostly because of greed. They could easily get a residency in their home country (many have already completed a foreign residency). They just know that they have a chance to make more money as a physician in the US than in Iran, or wherever. Nobody is acknowledging that. But it’s true. #dirtylittlesecret
I find it very amusing the ignoramus quotes from morons
Having friends, family and colleagues who are in the medical field, nothing gets me more laughing at the ignorant responses. In the medical field, the US gets the best doctors in the world from pcps to surgeons.
Not every doctor who wears a white jacket is a good doctor. U want the best to save your ass. Just because the doctors are born here….it doesn’t mean that u will survive on the operating table.
Death is what u will get. By the way….the US competes with Canada, UK, AUSTRALIA to get the best.
Think about it. Look at the medical research on drugs, diseases and care.
U want the most highly talented no matter where they are from.
Its funny….having been around these doctors….just because they are born here doesn’t ….doesn’t mean they are actually even good or even care weather u live or die.
I remember one donor who dropped 20 million on a top research doctor at Childrens during the recession. She dropped the cash and the hospital got a new research wing just because of the doctor.
There is not going to be a problem. The US has thousands of doctors that are hear already and prepared to take these jobs. A lot of programs prefer foreign nationals because they work harder and require less training.
I did not vote for Trump, i actually signed up for have him impeached. But this one is a no brainier. Citizens like myself that owe trillions in student loans to the government should get training before foreign graduates as long as they passed the board exams.
We educate people from other nations to help those other nations. But if people all stay here we are not helping them it continues a “brain drain”. We have to look further out at all the ramifications of our actions. I don’t think that we are doing that right now.
“A lot of programs prefer foreign nationals because they work harder.” You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing. If I’m a program director trying to create the strongest program, I’m going to take the best candidates who will work hard and deliver the best patient care.
I’m a 4th year US allopathic student, and I know I’m not “entitled” to a spot over an IMG. One is not more deserving of a spot because they’re an American who managed to pass their boards. One is not more deserving of a spot because they went to school here. One is not more deserving of a spot because they’re in “trillions” of debt (ghastly hyperbole you used btw.) A person is not more deserving of a spot because they plan on treating a particular population after finishing residency (American vs otherwise.)
The person who is more deserving of a spot is the best all-around candidate, taking into account scores, research, volunteer endeavors, and personal characteristics.
As soon as we stop this attitude of entitlement and stop seeing the training of some IMGs who are more qualified than some mediocre US seniors, the state of patient care in this country will improve. Because we are attracting the best doctors, not necessarily the most American.
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me”
Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)