mconnell said:
How difficult is it to pass the USMLE if you attend a Filipino medical school? I understand I will have to study independently, is that correct? Will it be difficult to obtain a residency in the US (I am a US citizen, born and raised)? Specifically a residency in IM (looking to do a cardiology fellowship).
Thank you for any information you can provide.
I don't think you will have a hard time passing the USMLE.
Medical books used in the philippines ALL come from the US so in terms of how we approach the subjects is basically the same.
From Biochemisty, physio etc...to the clinical science subjects... Harrisons internal medicine, neurology,..etc... the approach to educating the student is just as what an american book would have stated.
more advantage when being educated in the philippines includes:
1. more cases of infectious diseases rarely seen in the US
2. part of clerkship rotation includes assisting a LOT!!! of vaginal births
3. you get to do a lot of minor procedures, whether surgical, IV administration, catheter insertion, peritoneal dialysis, stuffs handled more by nurses in the US but these are essentially medical skills a doctor should also have.
in having to "study independently"? i don't quite understand what you mean.
You will probably have a problem with using the local language.
Although English is widely used and understood, not everyone can converse with you in english fluently(im taking about the patients). if you are a filam and once knew the local language, you won't have any difficulty "relearning" it.
But otherwise you have 3 years of medical school to learn the local language.
Most of my classmates who took the USMLE passed, and currently waiting for the 3rd step exam. Choose your school wisely though, as it may help you a lot in getting a higher grade in the MLE.