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This comparison isn't right. Most UK doctors will be doing further training after the foundation programme, pretty similarly to the US residency scheme. For ex
by dmurray 6y ago
This comparison isn't right.
Most UK doctors will be doing further training after the foundation programme, pretty similarly to the US residency scheme. For example, it takes 3 more years training in the GP scheme to become a GP (family doctor) [0]. Other specialities can take longer.
The British doctors will have spent a year longer hanging around hospitals by the time they are qualified to hang up their own shingle, but the overall timeline is pretty close.
Edit: also, you get paid, both as a trainee doctor in the UK and as a resident in the US.
[0] https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/general-practitioner https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/expl...
- alistairSH 6y agoBut for those 3 years, the UK doctor (in training) is seeing patients and being paid (stipend or smaller wages)? From the MD’s perspective, the timeline may be similar, but for society, those doctors in training are available to supplant fully qualified MDs (vs the US, where they’re sitting in a classroom).
- mech422 6y agoI'm sorry...but "doctors in training" who "supplant _fully qualified_ MD" sounds like a step down to me?' Hell, I generally prefer an MD to a PA...
- pmiller2 6y agoI think “supplant” was an autocorrect typo for “supplement.”
- mech422 6y agoahh... that could be
- alistairSH 6y agolol. Yup. Autocorrect - either my brain or my Mac, not sure which. Supplement, not supplant. Like PAs, but on the path to being fully qualified MDs.
- alistairSH 6y agoCurious... did you have a bad experience with a PA (or NP)? I haven't seen an MD for family medicine stuff (physicals, flu, travel inoculations, etc) in at least a decade. The PAs are easier to schedule and for those tasks, seem more than competent. With specialists, it's been 50-50. Check-ups have been with PAs (or NPs), with intervention by the MD when required. Same for my wife.
- flowerlad 6y agoA UK medical student starts earning a salary after 5 years of medical school [0]. An American medical student starts earning a salary after 8 years (4 years undergrad + 4 years of med school). Not to mention huge difference in tuition. [0] https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/general-practice-doctor https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/general-practice-do...