How to be a doctor in the USA as a Filipino MD? Steps and Timeline

[@christineastorga8502]

Thank you doc this is very helpful. Looking forward to more videos po like tips on how to pass USMLE etc etc. 🙂

[@LakanCortezMD]

You're welcome! Very glad to help. I'll think about whether to make a vid about that in the future. But if you're interested in watching now, there are lots of KZbinr MDs that have already uploaded USMLE study tips videos. I used to watch Medschool insiders, just to give an example.

[@argyllmusician]

Idol talaga dokie!

[@LakanCortezMD]

Thank you pre. Haha. Idol din kita.

[@axelrose0910]

im experiment. i have a microchips inplanted in my head and earphone inplanted in my ears and microchips in my eyes. is this appear or see in xray?

[@Mgakalifestyle]

Doc. Valid po ba sa america ang mbbs program sa Philippines?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Residency training programs in the US accepts MBBS graduates po. Just make sure your school are eligible to sponsor your ECFMG certification.

[@Mgakalifestyle]

Thanks doc. 🙏

[@sophiajeaninecaneda4937]

Good day po doc. how about in the case of my husband, already done with residency in PH. Does he need to do the residency again in the US?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Unfortunately, if he wants to have the full license to practice medicine, he needs to repeat at least a 3 year residency. There are some states that offer limited practice renewable every few years working as assistant physician under licensed MDs. You can look up Missouri, for example. I hope that helps.

[@bangsmatter4394]

What if my school does not have a sponsors note?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Two options I can think of: 1. You could talk to your medical school admin to get your school accredited. 2. Switch school that is already accredited. Both options are, understandably, difficult to do. You should ask your school admin for advice if you really want to pursue being an MD in US.

[@bangsmatter4394]

@LakanCortezMD but I'm already a graduate. I've been an MD for 4 years. I'm quite sure that the accreditation is going to be tedious. I'd probably be dead before my school gets that accreditation. 😅

[@theguy1824]

Good Day doc, do you we need US clinical experience to be accepted?

[@LakanCortezMD]

It's not necessary but will increase your chances significantly, especially if it's hands-on USCE (not just observership). Many programs will screen you out if you don't have USCE. Tbh, I think this is one of the factors I was not able to match this cycle. This is why I am seeking a way to get USCE to improve my chances next time. Good luck to us!

[@jhuantamad1113]

Hello po doc, need po ba talaga ng 4 weeks psych rotation para sa usmle/residency sa US? My school only offers 2 weeks and I dont know how to do 4 weeks of psych rot. Thanks po

[@LakanCortezMD]

If for taking the USMLE steps 1 and 2, hindi mo kailangan nang any US rotations. Puwede mo siya kunin dito sa Pilipinas. Pag dating sa residency applications, preferred but not required na nakapag rotate ka sa US para may clinical experience. Wala rin ako US rotations at all pero try ko pa rin mag apply this year. Haha

[@lmondeerioneri6750]

Hi doc have you been matched and what residency are you in? Can you recommend the most IMG friendly residencies? Thankss!

[@LakanCortezMD]

I am applying for IM only, and match day is on March 13! I will know by then. For your second question, NRMP releases data on Match outcome every year. You could try to look it up, it's in a downloadable PDF form. They have a breakdown of residency match results for USMD/DOs, US IMGs, and non-US IMGs. You can also use Freida and Residency Explorer to help you with your research for the programs. If you are from the Philippines and a non-US citizen, you may want to look up the DOH negative list of residency program that they will start to implement this year.

[@JB-cn1if]

Hi doc! Did you go with pathway 1 for certification?

[@LakanCortezMD]

I don't have ECFMG certification rn but I do plan on pursuing Pathway 1 because like many of my friends, Pathway 1 is the most straightforward path for our case. For some of my friends Pathway 6 is more viable. How about in your case?

[@marvinsalvidar2420]

More of this pls

[@LakanCortezMD]

I appreciate the comment! Will do!

[@bisayako9269]

Paano po doc kung Hindi makapasa sa USMLE ? Matanggap po ba kaya kahit parang assistant na Lang ?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Pag physician assistant po, iba ata requirements. May ibang education requirements, training, and tests. Sorry wala ako alam sa Pa.

[@bisayako9269]

Salamat doc

[@joshmagay]

Hi doc! How many months all in all from your preparation (including the start of your review sa step1) to starting residency?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Hello, I am not a resident yet. I am just about to take my Step 2 CK in a few days. I am not sure if you are asking for my personal experience, but to answer your question in general terms: it depends if you already planned your route when you first entered medical school. It usually takes about 2 years if you are a Filipino medical graduate from graduation day to start of US residency. But some can take longer because they decided to do PH internship and Physician Licensure Exam or have other priorities. You can start to take the steps exam when you are still in med school so maybe you can cut your prep time for maybe a year. This is how USMDs are able to apply within the year of their graduation and start residency 1 year after. But to be honest, the curriculum in the PH is not really built for USMLE so it's on you if you can manage to do it while you are still in medschool. Best to see the timeline and important dates in the video to plan out your strategy.

[@JulesIvanAlagos-l6d]

Good day doc. Doc may I ask, after finishing medical school in the Philippines, how much will your journey in applying for a residency program in U.S cost you? Thank you.

[@LakanCortezMD]

People say 10-20K USD, but that is just an estimate from a couple of years ago. I am currently taking notes of all my expenses so far and will publish a video and a spreadsheet of my total once I matched. Good luck to us!

[@bhalishan6711]

hi doc i am a indian student styuding in php 2nd year med am i eligible for usmle without giving Philippines licensee exam help

[@LakanCortezMD]

Hello @Bhal Ishan! Yes. You can take your Steps exam after your 2nd year. You might encounter a problem in ECFMG certification in the future tho. Currently, there are 6 available pathways for ECFMG certification for IMGs (International Medical Graduates---includes all graduates of non US/Canadian medical schools regardless of citizenship). I am not 100% certain about this because I don't know much about your current situation but maybe, Pathway 6 is the best choice for Indian doctors who finished medical school in the Philippines (since I know you are not allowed to take the PLE if you don't have PH citizenship). Another option is, maybe you could look up rules in India. If they would allow you to take Indian MD licensure exam despite studying medicine in the Philippines, then you could get a license in your home country, and apply for Pathway 1. You also need to keep in mind that you will finish medical school in a few more years. The future is a bit uncertain at the moment and USA rules might change by that time. So for now, I suggest, you study well. Take your exams when you are ready. Keep updated on the rules in US, India, and PH but don't stress out about the ECFMG certification right now. Good luck and have fun.

[@bhalishan6711]

@@MuichiroT__T Can we talk somewhere else

[@jadecalacat7932]

doc can you take the all the USMLE exams without doing the 1 year internship here in the Philippines po? if you don't have a plan to practice here po in the Philippines?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Yes. It's in the video @ 1:10 You going to have to take the Pathway 6 for ECFMG certification if you don't plan to take PLE.

[@jadecalacat7932]

@@LakanCortezMD thank you so much for the reply doc very helpful po 👍

[@GgG-71494]

Good day po! What is the 1st step? Taking d usmle? Where do i register?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Watch the vid carefully for the instructions. First step is to register at ECFMG.

[@Yanna01]

What are your resources for step 1? Any tips? Thanks! 😊

[@LakanCortezMD]

I used a variety of sources from KZbin (Armando Hasudungan, Dirty Medicine), books (First Aid, Katzung pharma review), online websites (Online med ed, NBME practice tests) and a lot more. My suggestion is to choose 2-4 resources and stick to it. Don't try to learn everything because you'll get overwhelmed and not be productive. Most common, we consider "gold standard" resource is UWorld. Also, focus more of your time in step 2CK because step 1 is pass fail only. You just need to understand concepts and pass step 1 so you can study more for clinical step 2.

[@Yanna01]

@@LakanCortezMD This is very helpful doc, thank you so much 🙏

[@morkleeace689]

Hello po! Im incoming my 3rd year as a medtech student in the Philippines and I’m interested in pursuing med school in the USA. Pwede po ba ako mag apply directly after boards (planning to take and work a bit while waiting for the approval of my visa) and how would the process be? Wala po kasi ako makita na info online :((

[@LakanCortezMD]

Hindi rin ako pamilyar sa proseso pag mag apply nang medschool sa US. One suggestion I could give is check out the YT channel Medschool Insiders. Another is look for a list of medical school in the US and find their websites for specific info and message them that you are interested in applying for medschool. With my minimum knowledge: I know you can apply to either MD or DO schools. You need to take US MCAT (similar to PH NMAT), you need to have recommendation letters, etc. Hope that helps.

[@cheskalirio5909]

Doc pano po if I graduated Dec 2018 pa and abt to start the whole journey palang? And my partner naman graduated 2016(took the boards 2017) pa kasi nag IM residency pa sya dito? Thanks

[@LakanCortezMD]

In general, I say go for it! There is no guarantee on what will happen and there are a lot of things you should consider. Among things to consider is that most programs have computer algorithms that will filter out your application if your year of graduation is more than 5 years than the time of application. But keep in mind there are always exceptions. Also, be aware that if you really want to pursue practicing medicine in the US and start your USMLE journey, it's going to be really time-consuming and will cost a lot of money. At the end of the day, it must be your decision and once you've decided, you must commit 100%. Better late than never!

[@jomartablizo4236]

Saan Po location Ng exam?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Prometric testing center. Ang alam kong branch nila ay sa Ateneo Makati.

[@MohamdRagabAmmar]

do i need to do a research or just take the USMLE exams to get matched ?

[@LakanCortezMD]

No. Good to have, not necessary.

[@MohamdRagabAmmar]

@@LakanCortezMD do you do a research and what is your residency program

[@rizmorales]

Doc how much po kaya estimated na magagastos po to take the whole USMLE exam?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Rough estimate nung mga seniors ko na nasa US na, mga 10-20K USD (P500K to P1M), magagastos in 2-3 years. Kasama na reviewers, applications sa lahat nang kailangan apply-an etc. I am actually trying to document my expenses right now. If ever I match, hopefully, I will make a video about it and publish the spreadsheet.

[@rizmorales]

@@LakanCortezMD Thank you doc for replying, hopefully po makapag upload po kayo regarding sa costs for USMLE journey po ninyo 🥺🥲 Will look forward doc for your next inspiring videos and God bless po.

[@reginecuevas4540]

how much do residents get paid in the US?

[@LakanCortezMD]

Resident salary is usually around 50-60K USD/year. So about 150K Php/month. This depends on the State, the hospital size and specific specialty program, and whether the location is in a rural or urban area. I think (not based on evidence) the gross pay is mostly equalized across all programs because of variable cost of living and State income taxes. Higher paying States usually have higher income taxes and more expensive food, housing etc. You can learn more about programs in Freida website. Just choose View all Specialty >>> Click a Specialty >>> Click a Residency Program with expanded listing >>> Features and Benefits.

[@joshuaterrado9654]

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