For international medical graduates (IMGs), U.S. clinical experience is perhaps one of the most important parts of your application for medical school residency. It's as important as your degree itself. Having adequate experience can help ensure you're placed into the medicine program of your choice. Here are just a few reasons this will prove to be an integral part of your education.
Why a U.S. Clinical Experience is Vital to Your Success
It Will Demonstrate You Are Well-Versed With the U.S. Healthcare System
Like any other country's healthcare system, the United States' is unique in its own ways. Clinical experience will help you familiarize yourself with the country's system and will provide training for our specific medical practice and protocol. You'll also gain a greater understanding of the country's technology and culture.Additionally, U.S. clinical experience helps IMGs demonstrate to program directors that they fully understand the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies in this country.Program directors take U.S. clinical experience seriously. Having it is crucial to your success in medicine.
It Exposes You to Different Specialities
To be the best possible physician you can be, you need to know what field you want to go into and will best flourish in. The clinical experience starts with elective med school clinical rotations. This is when you'll get to explore various specialties within medicine — such as internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. Clinical rotations for medical students are where you'll really learn the nitty-gritty of what it means to practice medicine.Ultimately, having experience in these specific areas will make you a more desirable and well-suited candidate for the med school residency programs you want to apply to.
U.S. Clinical Experience Teaches Important Professional Skills
Clinical experience is completely different from learning medicine from books. It will teach you communication skills and how to succeed in high-stress situations. It gives you hands-on experience as nothing else can and teaches you how to interact with patients and staff.By the time your U.S. clinical experience comes to a close, you'll have an entirely new education, not to mention a letter of recommendation. Plus, clinical experience is an excellent opportunity to network and build new connections.
It Will Prepare You For Medical School Residency Interviews
Residency interviews are yet another vital factor in getting placed in the med school residency program of your choice, and clinical experience can improve your chances of getting one. Going through clinical experience proves you've learned about the realities of practicing medicine and have gained valuable insight during your time studying and learning.
If you need help with the application process for U.S. Clinical Clerkships fill out the form below to begin your new life adventure!
[gravityform id="2" title="true" description="true"]
