FSU physicians

[xiphoid]

I couldn’t find a thread on this subject but I’ve recently begun a correspondence with a Russian physician; only one exchange so far. Has anyone here had any experience with the transition that a FSU professional must make once she has married and settled in, assuming she wishes to continue her profession? This has me wondering in the remote chance that things should eventually become serious. --- I'm reminded of the time when I once visited a hospital in Kyiv and found it to be a very interesting and unusual experience. My new acquaintences had invited me to assist them with donating needed supplies to what I assumed to be the children's ward. It felt good.

[Anotherkiwi]

I've got a feeling that there's at least one member here married to a Russian (?) doctor.  I corresponded with a couple (as well as a couple of nurses), and one of them was serious enough for me to find out what would be required to practise in New Zealand - it's a very long, involved and expensive process, and I have no doubt it would be the same in the USA.

I'm sure I can remember a post a long time ago where someone suggested that, instead of spending all that time studying stuff which they already knew, the woman (whose English skills were apparently excellent) should become a medical writer for a pharmaceutical company - instant employment with no hassles, and a very good salary for just 40 hours a week (instead of working 60 or 70 under less than optimum conditions in a hospital).

[Faux Pas]

I couldn’t find a thread on this subject but I’ve recently begun a correspondence with a Russian physician; only one exchange so far. Has anyone here had any experience with the transition that a FSU professional must make once she has married and settled in, assuming she wishes to continue her profession? This has me wondering in the remote chance that things should eventually become serious. --- I'm reminded of the time when I once visited a hospital in Kyiv and found it to be a very interesting and unusual experience. My new acquaintences had invited me to assist them with donating needed supplies to what I assumed to be the children's ward. It felt good.

Not just a doctor but for most post graduate professionals there is a lengthy process that starts with getting their educational transcripts translated and assessed. IIRC, for a medical professional this isn't much help. The degrees simply do not equate to Western standards and the assessments might save the person from taking a few classes but in most instances they have to return to med school for graduation and do the other requirements as well. In essence they have to start all over. The assessment could require them to return for additional classes for their other degree(s)as well before admittance into med school. There is a lot of hoops and it can be quite expensive. There's probably been some who have made a transition without it but, I'd say it is very rare.

[ML]

As I remember, Muzh's wife did it.

[Muzh]

As I remember, Muzh's wife did it.

Actually, what my wife did was to weigh in the best option.


We looked at her getting her medical license and literally, she had to go back to residency. That is, IF and WHEN she passed the USMLE Steps 1, 2 and Clinical Skills Analysis.


For a young doctor, that is very doable. However, for someone in her early 40s, that can be threatening. Especially if she has a child. Not to mention that you don't always get what you want (Sorry Mick) when it comes to residency.


Her best option was the Physician Assistant Program.


She's thrilled with it. No headaches, malpractice insurance is paid by the firm, and the salary. Oh baby, the salary. Some one with basically no medical experience can start around 90K in this neck of the woods. With a lot of medical experience, the salary increases. Quite a bit. 


Also, keep in mind that the medical community look after each other. It doesn't matter if she comes from the FSU, she is still a doctor. She just have to go through the same hurdles the other doctors went through after finishing Med School.

[Anotherkiwi]

She's thrilled with it. No headaches, malpractice insurance is paid by the firm, and the salary. Oh baby, the salary. Some one with basically no medical experience can start around 90K in this neck of the woods. With a lot of medical experience, the salary increases. Quite a bit. 

So she's keeping you in the style to which you have become accustomed? 

[Chicagoguy]

It is a lot of work but possible. One close friend did it but I know 2 who failed after years of effort. One difficult part is that when you finally pass all the tests you need to get into a residency program and these spots are almost all reserved for people graduating from U.S. medical schools each year.

[BillyB]

I've dated a Russian doctor in America but she didn't make the transition to being an American doctor. Her choice. I've seen a couple of Russian doctors working as doctors in America that did make the transition. One was working in my uncle's practice but he had to fire her because she wasn't polite with customers. He tried to teach her the American way but she never caught on or just didn't care.

[Muzh]

I've dated a Russian doctor in America but she didn't make the transition to being an American doctor. Her choice. I've seen a couple of Russian doctors working as doctors in America that did make the transition. One was working in my uncle's practice but he had to fire her because she wasn't polite with customers. He tried to teach her the American way but she never caught on or just didn't care.

I find that so hard to believe.