India is devastatingly short of doctors. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease made it too evident to require proof. Regardless of the fastest-growing healthcare industry, India fails to meet the exigent medical requirements of its ill population of patients due to the chronic shortage of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
A recent working paper by Shruthi Rajagopalan and Abhishek Choutagunta of George Manson University shows that India has only 86 registered doctors to practice per 100,000 people compared to the world average of 150 physicians.
It may surprise you, but the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one doctor per 1000. The lack of doctors is largely driven by fewer available seats in both private and government medical universities and colleges. Thus, getting into a reputed Indian medical college is no cakewalk due to the stiff competition among aspiring doctors.
In such instances, many Indian students prefer acquiring medical education from a top-ranked medical school abroad. Indian students looking for a high-quality medical education can consider top-tier Caribbean medical schools as they offer a plethora of benefits besides allowing international medical students to practice medicine in the USA. So, yes, an Indian student can study medicine in the Caribbean and then practice in the USA.
Also Read: What is MCAT Exam – Complete Guide for all Medical Students 2022
How do Caribbean medical schools help IMGs to practice medicine in the USA?
Reputed medical schools in the Caribbean offer a systems-based US curriculum in small class sizes. Caribbean medical schools believe that students learn best in small class sizes where they can interact one-on-one with their tutors for a better learning experience.
Above all, Caribbean medical schools help students prepare for the USMLE Step 1. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 is a compulsory examination for all international medical graduates who wish to practice in the USA after completing a medical degree overseas.
The examination is directed by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to evaluate aspirants’ knowledge of basic science and their competency in practicing medicine in the USA.
The USMLE is a three-step examination process for obtaining a license that allows international medical graduates to practice medicine in the USA. Thus, island medical schools equip students with the concepts of human body structure through the basic sciences MD program, preparing them to qualify for the USMLE Step 1 successfully.
The basic sciences MD program offered in Caribbean medical schools covers various subjects to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the human body, such as gross anatomy, cellular biology, genetics, neuroscience, medical ethics, pharmacology, and clinical therapeutics.
Also Read: Best Medical Schools in Europe in 2022 – Affordability and How to Get in
Conclusion
The top-tier Caribbean medical schools are well-known for giving students the highest chance of matching. Frankly, island medical school graduates have obtained residencies in competitive programs across the USA’s full range of medical specialties. So, an Indian student must apply for a medical degree in the Caribbean to successfully make it to top hospitals in the USA.
