The first thing you should do is to collect all the information related to USMLE from United States Medical Licensing Examination official web site and other details like eligibility, registration procedure and how to submit application for registration etc. from Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
Once you have collected information from organizations like USMLE and ECFMG, the next step will be to find out relevant study materials for USMLE preparation. Organizations like KAPLAN Medical can help you in this process, which are offering excellent coaching and guidance through online, class room based or home study method.
It is not that easy to get into the Residency Program, especially for the IMGs, because of limited availability of seats for IMGs. One has to go through various hurdles like passing the Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) for Residency Match and finally the Step 3 in order to get a license to practice medicine in U.S.A.
On an average about 37000 candidates participate in the exam annually for about 25000 Residency positions, of this about 8000 are IMGs. Approximately 75% of the available seats are cornered by US Seniors and a small portion by the U.S. resident IMGs. Out of about 8000 plus IMGs appearing for the exam, only 40-42% of them get selected for the Residency.
That means there is fierce competition for available seats and only the very best and those who have excellent communication, clinical and patient management skills get through to the USMLE Residency Program.
Pathway to Medical Licensure
The pathway to medical licensure requires completion of a U.S. residency training program. Most programs select candidates using the national residency matching program (NRMP) also known as the “Match.” In order to qualify to participate in the match, international medical graduates or IMGs, must obtain certification by the educational commission for foreign medical graduates (ECFMG), which in turn requires the completion of all exam requirements.
Medical Licensure in the U.S. starts with preparing for the step 1, step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) and step 2 clinical skills (CS) examinations. These can be completed in a 3 to 9 months period. However, clinical skills can be completed in about one to two months time.
Details of Step-1, Step 2, & Step 3
The step one course consists of the following subjects: anatomy, behavioral sciences, biochemistry and medical genetics, immunology and microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology. These topics are covered in the first two years of medical school study known as basic science subjects.
In clinical knowledge, the following subjects are covered. Internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and ethics, and surgery. These are subjects learned in the third and forth years of your medical school study.
Clinical skills are a practical live exam using standardized patients that is meant to test a candidate’s English communication and clinical skills. Step 3, tests patient management skills at the level of a first-year resident.
K. Raveendran. Article writer and experienced speaker. Have eight years experience in middle management cadre in reputed corporate organizations.Area of specialization include real estate, insurance, concept/product selling and education.
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