Hi guys, need your advise here. I'm an IMU student, choosing my PMS very soon so I need to know something about specialty training.

1)Specialties(say cardiology) are offered by Universities or Hospitals?
2)What do they take in account when I apply for a specialty i.e my MBBS grades or any research achievements?
3)Is it harder to cross country(if I graduate from Aus and decided I want to go UK for my specialty training instead)

I know it may seem funny for me to think of that so early but I think it really affects my PMS choice a lot, so I need some advise from you guys. thanks!

Hi all, again I'm back to the crossroads of choosing my PMS School. But this times it's between Aus and US. Yes I know generally how the system in both countries work, and I think I'm fine with both of the countries, so I think that the only clincher this time is "Chances of getting into specialty training", since that's my priority for now.

1) What I heard from is that US is based on meritocracy(I.e USMLE Scores), if you're good, then you're good. No difference between Asian, American,Australian etc. Excepte the difference between IMGs, local US graduates vs Canadian graduates. I mean, that definitely sounds tempting and I've heard of a substantial number of Alumni who went into competitive residencies so I guess it's a valid statement.

2) On the other hand, what I heard about Aus is that, yes ethnicity DOES play a major role in application for specialty. If you're disadvantaged on that aspect, pray that there'll be a vacancy for the particular specialists. Otherwise, chances of getting into a competitive specialty is extremely low. I don't really have any examples to proofed or argue against this statement, perhaps anyone can share your opinion about this?

Sincerely, thanks.

Hi limeuu, thanks for you're reply. I just have some more doubts about oz. Yea I guess it's not fair to say that Ethnicity plays an official part, but what I heard is that ethnicity, or perhaps nationality seems to have a greater influence in oz? As compared to US where the match depends more on the USMLE Scores and the difference between local graduates(independent of nationality) vs IMGs.

Can I extrapolate from your statement about Open vs Closed system that US has more residencies available each year, therefore a better chance of getting into one?

So about the closed system in oz, does it mean that the specialty trainings offered each year directly depends on how much is the demand for a particular specialty? It seems that the availability is quite limited.
Thanks

This post has been edited by Medico: Nov 1 2011, 12:26 PM

Thank you limeuu and tqeh for your honest inputs. Hey tqeh, may I know which country you're in now? I know the wait must be very frustrating but all the best to you!