mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Dear Ms. BBB (or anyone who is reading this),
I already completed medical school and am praticing internal medicine in my country. I've always wanted to practice medicine in the U.S. Unfortunately, I have chronic hepatitis B. I am still young and the results of my liver tests are normal at this point. I would like to know if I can still get into residency programs in the U.S. after I take (and hopefully do well on) each of the three Steps of the USMLE. I certainly don't want to invest time, energy, and money to prepare for the USMLE only to find later the fact that I have chronic HBV prevents me from getting into a residency program.
Am I worrying too much? Do residency programs ask for applicants' medical report/record when they apply?
And if you know the place/organization where I can get the definitive answer, please let me know. Thank you so much!!
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,218
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"mrpassionate" wrote:
Do residency programs ask for applicants' medical report/record when they apply?
No, it's not asked for at the time of application. I don't know enough about HBV to answer many questions, but as a patient - my question would be "Will your HBV affect me at all?"
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
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Thank you so much Ms. BBB. I know what I have. And for 3 years I have been practicing medicine with extra care and sympathy (guess it's because I see myself as one of the patients). I am loved by my patients and respected by my colleagues. I know I am a good doctor and will be an outstanding one. And I know the number one rule for any doctor is TO DO NO HARM TO OUR PATIENTS. It has always been my dream to practice medicine in the U.S. and I have no doubt that I will study hard and do well on the USMLE. I am just concerned that residency programs in the U.S. will not even consider me when I apply simply because I have chronic hepatitis B. And all the time, energy, and money I invest will be wasted, not to mention the disappointment that comes along...........
Do you (or anyone else who is reading this right now) know if there is anyone or any organization I can talk to about my concern? I just cannot leave everything I have right now and blindly pursue my dream of becoming a doctor in the U.S.....I need to be certain that I will be judged like every other candidate and that my health is not an issue.
Thank you so much for your help.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,218
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The only thing that I can think of is to check with the ACGME - they are the source of accreditation for all residencies in the USA. They might have some information that might be of use for you.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Thank you so much, Ms. BBB. You are the best!!
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,218
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Just had a chance to show your question to one of my associate program directors (who was very curious about this web site, also!).
He mentioned that an applicants medical history does not come up during the interview process. He said that it is against the law for him to ask questions of that nature while interviewing.
He mentioned that during an employment physical - it might come up depending on what hospital you are employed by, etc. - questions, blood tests, etc.
He also said that the only time that it might come out would be in the event of fluid exchange - then you would be obligated to mention that you have HBV and testing would follow from there.
On the other hand, he said also that it would depend on what field of medicine would you be applying for? That would also factor in to your decision. Are their fields of medicine that you are interested in that would be better suited to your medical history?
Good luck - hope that this helps.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Ms. BBB,
Thank you again for your information. I really appreciate the information you have provided. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I am a cardiologist in my country. If I decide to pursue my dream of practicing medicine in the U.S. I would most likely choose between cardiology or gastroenterology.
Trying to get a definitive answer, I actually wrote a message to ACGME. But I haven't heard anything from them.
Thank you very much again for your information.
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| yelenatx
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 148
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Positive Hep.B shouldn't interfere with getting a residency because nobody usually ask questions about Hep.B status during an interview.
However, once you accepted to a residency, you will be required to be vaccinated against Hep.B. At this time you would have to tell them that you are positive. If you get vaccinated for Hep.B without telling them you are positive, nobody would know, but if at any time it comes up in the future, you MD license would be in trouble.
Positive Hep.B, if revealed, would probably make it more difficult to compete for an invasive fellowship, such as cardiology or GI.
When you go to practice you would have to inform each patient whom you'll cath or perform other invasive procedures about your Hep.B status, and document it in a writent consent for your self-protection.
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Thank you very much, yelenatx. Your information is very helpful. Thank you!
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Dear Yelenatx (or anyone who is reading this post),
I have never practiced medicine in the U.S. so I don't know how medicine is practiced there. What I do know is I have always wanted to become a doctor in the U.S. And I am NOT gonna give up this dream easily.
I intend to tell the truth when people ask me questions. And given my medical history I would like to know what field(s) of medicine can I apply for if I want to minimize the number of cath or invasive procedures? I have every intention to help others but I certainly don't want my patients to feel uncomfortable whenever I inform them my medical history. Would family medicine be a good option? Thank you.
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| yelenatx
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 148
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Less invasive specialties are internal medicine, family practice, also subspecialties as endocrinology, rheumatology, infectious diseases. As a family practice doctor you will decide yourself how invasive you want to be. Some FPs deliver babies and perform hysterectomies, others see patients in the office and do nothing else. If you consider becoming a subspecialist, you should go to IM because fellowship choice after FP is very limited. However, if your main goal is to practice medicine in US apply for both IM and FP, either one will get you to your goal.
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| mrpassionate
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Thank you Yelenatx. I am extremely grateful for your invaluable information. I was quite depressed after reading your first reply. I was not sure if I still want to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor in the U.S. after reading that I would have to inform each patient whom I would cath or perform other invasive procedures about my Hep.B status and document it in a writent consent for my self-protection. I did not know if I want to go through that, and have my patients second guess my skills or feeling uncomfortable. I was close to give up my long time dream, until I read your 2nd reply. I now know I have options. I am feeling so much better and more optimistic.
Thank you so much.
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| doc_droc_apurva
Forum Guru
Topics: 38
Posts: 1,705
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passionate - i guess vr in da same bandwagon..me too a hepb healthy carrier..studies say that its prevalence is around 15%amongst docs in india and around 10%worldwide.i too share dat fire ragin in my belly to practise my stuff in da us.when ru plannin to apply and in wat speciality.me gonna appear for 2006 match so lets keep in touch and keep each other posted.like bbb i had asked another program director and he too said thats its not dat consequential..
so wassup and stuff..
apurva
if u want somethin real bad;then all the forces in the world will come together to aid u in ur quest
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Aut Invenam Viam Aut Faciam
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| yelenatx
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 148
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Well, suing doctors is a very good business in the USA. Patients file law suit agaists their physician all the time. For example, right now patients, who used to take Vioxx, are receiving letters from different lawyers inviting them to participate in a class law suit agaist physicians who prescribed them Vioxx, even if these patients did completely well on Vioxx. So, if you cath people without telling them about your Hep.B and any of your patients turn out to be Hep.B positive in the future (for any reason), they will try to blame it on you to get money from you. Therefore, to protect your personal assets, you would have to do anything possible to minimize chances of a law suit.
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| drpoojain
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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Hello all,
this is pooja from india .... iam to in same ship ....HbsAg carrier.
Please let me also know is it fine for us to go for USMLE .
u can mail me at drpoojain@hotmail.com also.
thanks
pj
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