What does it take to practice medicine here in the U.S. if you have an MBBS from India but have 2 Ph.Ds?

What does it take to practice medicine here in the U.S. if you have an MBBS from India but have 2 Ph.Ds?

My boyfriend has a medical degree from India, a Ph.D from Switzerland and a Ph.D from Dubai. I know he will have to take the USMLE to practice medicine in Texas, but will he have to redo his residency? He practices in PMR/Neurology? Any advice on what is the fastest way to start practicing medicine? Any good USMLE study books that you recommend? Thanks!

User Comments

1. The Ph.D's are irrelevant when it comes to practicing medicine, may help later on if he wants to go into academic medicine. The MBBS is equivalent to the our MD so no problem there.
   
   As a general rule if you want to practice in the US you must do your residency in the US, unless you are some extremely experienced attending/consultant who is considered an expert in the field, then it may be possible but other than that, the US doesn't accept post graduate training.
   
   As for fast, he'll need to take USMLE Step 1 first. It's a test going over our first two years of medical school so topics are anatomy, histo, biochem, cell bio, physio, immuno, path, pharm and micro. The BRS or Board review series are good books, First Aid for the USMLE and the High Yield series are all good books to get.
   
   USMLE Step 2 is clinical skills and clinical knowledge. For the most part, if he's been practicing for a while and had good training he should be ok here. Now major problem for foreign grads, you must speak clear english and understand it perfectly, thats the biggest reason for failure for foreign grads.
   
   After this he'll then need to apply to residency programs...it is here where everything may change...matching in his choice of residency with be tough, only about 50% of non-US born foreign grads match with their choices for residency.
   
   Good luck
2. I'm pretty sure, but not certain, that he will need to redo his residency.
   
   Here is a guide for graduates of foreign medical schools:
   http://www.ecfmg.org/index.html...
   
   Good luck.
3. I'm not too sure about the specifics... but the following link may help.