<p>I have read that the high cost barrier to med education and services in the US, is encouraging so-called medical tourism to countries such as India which are English speaking and able to provide medical services at low cost. One has to wonder if this will catch on (like the outsourcing in computing / accounting / legal services), leading to diminished opportunities for MD graduates in the US. Any thoughts?
Also, should medical services be globalized, will a foreign medical degree be more valuable than a US degree?</p>
<p>Outsourcing depends on the ability to transfer data digitally...and most of medicine is simply never going to be compatible with that...Radiologic studies (X-rays, MRI, etc) are being outsourced in some communities for reading and interpretation, but the equipment and stuff is still in the US.</p>
<p>Medical Tourism is an interesting and strange phenomena but still is, and I believe will continue to be, limited to a very select few individuals who have the means and time to plan and pay for such a trip. There are certainly barriers in the post-op care and follow up that are problematic. I had ear surgery two summers ago in my hometown while I was living 3 hours away for school and it was a pain in the ass just to go back for proper follow up. Most people, even despite the "savings" can't afford to travel internationally for a surgery. Further, you are not protected by the same med malpractice laws in foreign countries so if it's botched, you have little to no means of filing suit. I think it's only a matter of time before news shows like 20/20, Dateline and 48 hours start finding patients who try medical tourism with disastrous results. </p>
<p>As for your question about the relative values of US/Foreign degrees I don't believe that you can accurately measure the two without giving some sort of parameters for the discussion. To a doc in the UK, his UK medical degree is worth far more than my US degree is if his practice is in the UK. Basically the degree is only worth anything if it allows you to practice where you want to practice.</p>
<p>If we reach a point where complete globalization occurs, then essentially every medical degree will have equal worth - until you again get back to location of practice where a "local" degree will always carry more weight. In the US it's very difficult for International Medical Graduates to come into the US, receive a residency or become licensed b/c of the licensing restrictions and USMLE Steps 1-3. IMG's on Step 1 (completed by US 2nd years) tend to pass the exam on the first try at a rate of only 60-65%, while US 2nd years pass on the first try ~93% of the time...Therefore, you can clearly see the value of a US degree b/c it's much more likely that you'll be able to practice in the US. If another country has similar barriers to practice there, than foreign degrees (even from the US) become worth relatively less than whatever degree enjoys the advantage...</p>
<p>I don't know if that made sense, I've had a long week.</p>
<p>Yes, you made a lot of sense. Great insights, thanks.</p>