If you study medicine internationally, but intend to practice in the U.S. or Canada, you are considered to be an International Medical Graduate (IMG). As a future IMG, it is important to do the research in advance to ensure that the international medical school you choose for your education adheres to acceptable American and Canadian standards of medical practice that will allow you to practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada as a foreign medical graduate. Here are 3 things you need to know prior to choosing an international medical school:

1.    Your medical school must be accredited

A medical school that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) produces medical school graduates that are eligible to complete residencies and ultimately practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada. There are several Caribbean medical schools that are accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), such as the American University of Barbados (AUB), School of Medicine. CAAM-HP accreditation meets LCME standards. International medical graduates of AUB, School of Medicine, often go on to successfully complete their residencies and practice as physicians in the U.S. and Canada.

2.    You will need to write licensing exams

If you are looking to become a licensed physician in the U.S., you will need to write the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This multiple-choice exam is written by graduates of American medical schools, as well as foreign medical graduates. The USMLE is an assessment that allows all doctors practicing in the U.S. to meet the same standards of practice, no matter where you obtained your medical education. In order to write the USMLE as an IMG, you must ensure that your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, like the American University of Barbados, School of Medicine.

3.    You can complete clinical rotations in the U.S. or Canada 

Clinical rotations are typically completed in the final two years of your medical education. This is the stage of your education when you acquire hands-on training, exposure to healthcare in practice, and supervision directly under board-certified physicians. As an IMG, if you intend to practice in the U.S. or Canada, completing a U.S. or Canadian clinical rotation will be very helpful on your journey, as this experience will provide you with the opportunity to navigate and become accustomed to the medical system that you intend to practice in. It will also allow you to build important connections and obtain letters of recommendation directly from American or Canadian physicians. This will pave the path for you to be matched to a U.S. or Canadian residency program. Some international medical schools, like the American University of Barbados, School of Medicine, in the Caribbean, have excellent relationships with teaching hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.