BACKGROUND: International medical graduates (IMGs) make up a substantial part of the U.S. physician workforce. Unfortunately, little is known about the demographic and performance characteristics of these doctors, especially over time. METHOD: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) applicants from 1995-2004 were studied. The characteristics and examination performances of U.S. citizen and non-U.S. citizen IMGs were contrasted. RESULTS: ECFMG applications from U.S. citizen IMGs have been increasing. Compared to non-U.S. citizen IMGs, these individuals perform less well on some of the certification examinations, especially in the last 5 years, but are more likely to eventually achieve certification. Based on those medical students/graduates who took the examinations, the performance of U.S. citizen IMGs varied considerably from one medical school to another. CONCLUSION: The composition of the pool of ECFMG-certified IMGs available for graduate medical education has changed over the past 10 years. Shifts in the characteristics and abilities of IMGs are likely to have some future impact on health care delivery in the United States.
BACKGROUND: International medical graduates (IMGs) make up a substantial part of the U.S. physician workforce. Unfortunately, little is known about the demographic and performance characteristics of these doctors, especially over time. METHOD: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) applicants from 1995-2004 were studied. The characteristics and examination performances of U.S. citizen and non-U.S. citizen IMGs were contrasted. RESULTS: ECFMG applications from U.S. citizen IMGs have been increasing. Compared to non-U.S. citizen IMGs, these individuals perform less well on some of the certification examinations, especially in the last 5 years, but are more likely to eventually achieve certification. Based on those medical students/graduates who took the examinations, the performance of U.S. citizen IMGs varied considerably from one medical school to another. CONCLUSION: The composition of the pool of ECFMG-certified IMGs available for graduate medical education has changed over the past 10 years. Shifts in the characteristics and abilities of IMGs are likely to have some future impact on health care delivery in the United States.
Authors: Maureen E Kelly; Jon Dowell; Adrian Husbands; John Newell; Siun O'Flynn; Thomas Kropmans; Fidelma P Dunne; Andrew W Murphy Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2014-12-21 Impact factor: 2.463
Authors: Christoph Berendonk; Christian Schirlo; Gianmarco Balestra; Raphael Bonvin; Sabine Feller; Philippe Huber; Ernst Jünger; Matteo Monti; Kai Schnabel; Christine Beyeler; Sissel Guttormsen; Sören Huwendiek Journal: GMS Z Med Ausbild Date: 2015-10-15