<p>Hi, what is an MBBS really (5 year program)? I know it literally means Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. However, I have heard some people say it is equivalent to a MD but how can that be. An MBBS is 2 bachelors isn't it? So how can it be equivalent to a masters? Am I thinking about it all wrong? What is the process of getting an MD in the U.S. really like? Thanks in advance for your help and cooperation.</p>
<p>In most of the Commonwealth countries (with the major exception of Canada), students enter medical school straight out of high school. After 6 years, they receive an MBBS. After residency, they would be full qualified to practice medicine in their respective country. The title of the degree is meaningless in the end really so long as you can acquire a license to practice medicine.</p>
<p>An MD in the USA or Canada is a professional doctorate, not a Master’s degree. This forum is filled with information about medical school in the United States. Check out the stickied threads.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. One more question, if one has an MBBS and wishes to practice in the U.S. does he/she have to go and do an MD first, or can he/she just take the USMLE?</p>
<p>You can just take the USMLE. The hardest aspects of the process for MBBS holders is passing the USMLE (only a 50-60% pass rate or so) and matching into residency once you pass the USMLE (only around 50% match anywhere).</p>
<p>I know half a dozen kids at least who did this, they went to the UK into a medical degree right out of HS. I am waiting to see how it works when they come back to North America. Most are Canadian, so it may be different there, but reading about US MDs trying to practice in Canada, I think they have pretty high standards there, too.</p>
<p>If you want to read about the process FMGs need to go thru in order to practice in the US, start with</p>
<p>[ECFMG®</a> | Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates](<a href=“http://www.ecfmg.org/]ECFMG®”>http://www.ecfmg.org/)</p>
<p>This is the organization that handles certifying international medical programs and certifies FMG’s USMLE testing.</p>
<p>The FAQs will explain the process in detail.</p>
<p>In researching FMPs, for D1 and her BF I found some information. Only about 70-75% of FMG passed each of USMLE Steps (or to put it another way only about 42% pass Step 1+Step 2 CK + Step 2 CS) [Data thru 2009]</p>
<p>Only 42% of those who passed Step 2CS were offered a US residency in 2010.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ecfmg.org/cert/factcard.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ecfmg.org/cert/factcard.pdf</a></p>
<p>BTW, graduates of Canadian medical schools are NOT considered FMGs and go thru an entirely different certification process.</p>
<p>Ahh I see, thanks so much. So if you do an MBBS u basically spend 5+ years (of strict medicine related courses) before you can take the USMLE and begin searching for residencies however for the MD route you spend 8 years before you take the USMLE and begin searching for residencies right? With the first 4 years being about basically anything you want (as long as you complete med school requirements) and the final four being the strictly medicine related courses ?</p>
<p>You’ve got it basically correct.</p>
<p>You can take the USMLE (step1) when you want to. Most do it after basic sciences (after 2nd/3rd year). It’s a lot harder as you don’t get support from your school. you have to study on your own. The content is slightly different but not too much for any person accepted into medical school. Drug names, measurements etc, will be different in the UK to the US.</p>
<p>If you can get into a school in the US, I am not sure why you would consider the UK, unless it’s just for a different cultural experience. If you want to work in the US, completing your degree there is the best way to go about it.</p>