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In an ideal world, I'd have already given the USMLE and would have whatever visa was offered to international medical graduates doing a residency in the States.
This is still a goal of mine, assuming the blocking factor is finished by the time I finish my current British training in psychiatry. The issue is that my med school doesn't have a sponsor note from an American organization called the ECFMG. It is entitled to one, it meets the recently updated requirements in full, but the last time I had them reach out to the ECFMG, all we heard were crickets. Even then, it's a process that can take years, both due to the ECFMG being lazy, and the Indian National Medical Council being even lazier.
If I saw that coveted tick box, I'd likely drop everything that wasn't strictly necessary for me to remain in my job, and begin grinding for the USMLE. I entered psych training in the UK both because I want to be a shrink, and so I can at least have a backup if the blocker never resolves.
I also had another fallback, namely the EB5 visa described above. It was about $1 million invested in the States, as well as starting a business that employed ten Americans. Now it's $5 million, the rest being unchanged (I could be wrong about minor details).
This wouldn't let work as a doctor, not without also giving the USMLE, and it would represent liquidating parental assets. If I really needed it, they'd probably oblige, and UK doctor salaries are shite so it would take me decades to save up enough by myself. But at least it was an option. $5 million? Not happening before my kids would be as old as I am.
You can see @TheDag's post below about the Golden Tickets that replace the EB5. As I've mentioned, it's five times the previous price, which only let in about ten thousand people taking previously. At 5 million, I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers dropped down to a thousand or less.
Do keep in mind that even if you ass blast the shit out of Step you won't be 100% sure to get a PGY-1 position (especially with psychiatry which has gotten a lot more competitive).
I'm very confused. I have it on good authority that:
I'm becoming more and more of the opinion that approximately every use of the words 'shortage' or 'surplus', by anyone who is not an economist, is mostly self-serving BS to argue for some form of gov't protection/handout for their industry.
The existences of spots does not equal the existence of good spots.
Sounds more like "not so much a surplus", then. ...what would you say a "surplus" is?
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As you've previously mentioned, there is at least the possibility of having residency requirements waived if you can show experience and equivalency.
The waivers for IMGs in under-served areas don't specify a specialty, but I presume that at least some of the hospitals or practices looking for doctors would be in need of psychiatrists.
I'd be happy to take my chances, and I know I'll have to work for it. If I can't make the cut, then there's nobody to blame but myself. I'd have chased my dreams and failed, instead of nursing bitterness over the fact that factors beyond my power prevented me from trying.
I don't know that much about this because its obviously not relevant to my life but my understanding is that they mostly exist badly underserved areas (like Kentucky) and are vulnerable to legislators abruptly changing them and then you are trapped with no ability to work (or move out of state).
Viable for some but have caution.
Also Step is a lot of work, although it does cater toward foreign medical education in some ways (at least the earlier Steps, later not as much).
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