America, land of the free and home of the brave. The nurturing mother to countless US-born and foreign-born citizens who dream of healing people in the future by becoming physicians for tomorrow.

As time flies, we are seeing more and more foreign doctors working at our US hospitals and providing their expertise in the realm of medicine. There’s no tipping iceberg that points more fingers at one or the other of which type of physician training is more viable than the other. In patient mortality rate of Foreign Medical Graduate physicians versus US Medical Graduate physicians is 11.2% compared to 11.6% respectively. Before some US patients did not feel confident with the work of foreign-trained doctors but as the years have passed that narrative has changed.

What are the Qualities of FMGs and IMGs We Can Learn from?

 FMGs and IMGs just seem to know how to bite the bullet and still roll through the hurdles of making it in America as a physician. Here are some of the qualities that they inherently possess that are appreciated in the United States:

1. FMGs and IMGs work harder
2. They statistically complain less
3. They don’t have entitlement issues
4. Many had to overcome great difficulties to be a doctor in the US
5. They appreciate the fact the US has given them a chance to be a doctor

How Do these Qualities Give Them the Grit and Tenacity to Make it?

Working hard. Nothing pays off more than burning the midnight oil and being able to reap the rewards. For IMGs and FMGs especially sometimes automatic reward doesn’t follow through with the hard work they put in, which can be discouraging for those who want to keep the dream alive. FMGs and IMGs also complain less because they know what it is to be looked upon like a second-class citizen just to get into medical residency. They have dealt with greater obstacles just to cross the pond to reach greener grasses. The good news is, there are IMG/FMG Friendly Medical Residency Programs available to those future doctors.

A lot of the foreign physicians do find it unfair that they must have to work sometimes odd jobs to make ends meet with even being highly educated outside of the US because they can’t land into residency as quick as their counterparts. Some have had to work as physician assistants even though they have the knowledge of a doctor but haven’t been granted the licensing to practice. Even USMLE’ scores are judged harsher for FMGs and IMGs who often need to have higher scores and more degrees after their name, not to mention research. America does offer these new nestling opportunities for them, but it comes along with the literal cost of expense and certification demands that must be met to indicate validation for their medical craft.

For helpful tips and insiders on what Program Directors look for in an FMG or IMG candiate, read our blog: Why Everyone Should Seek Residency Guidance and Support.

Residents Medical empathizes with the countless stories that they’ve come across of FMGs and IMGs and continues to fight the good fight to help these doctors weave their story into America’s quilt of many dreams. If you would like more information on how Residents Medical specialists and counselors can help increase your chances of residency, please contact us or call for assistance (310) 444-9700.