Clinical Career Opportunities in the USA Gerhard M. Friehs, MD, MA, FACGS, IFAANS

1. The Life After Medical School
Clinical Career
Opportunities in the
USA
Gerhard M. Friehs, MD, MA, FACGS,
IFAANS

2. Clinical Career in the USA
In 2015:
22,000 first year medical students in US
30,212 first year residency positions in US
41,334 registered applicants
12,380 foreign applicants
6,301 of those matched
60,000 physician shortage
nrmp.org

3. Clerkship, Rotation:
Medical student participation in clinical practice
Internship:
1 year (first) of residency training; together with
step 1, 2, 3 of USMLE = general practitioner
Residency:
Post-graduate medical or surgical specialty
training, usually 3-7 years, resulting in specialty
qualification
Fellowship:
Post-residency additional in-depth training;
sometimes resulting in sub-specialization

4. Tip #1:
Get your Foot in the Door

5. Step 1 – year 2 (4) of medical school
Step 2 CK – year 4 (6) of medical school
Step 2 CS – year 4 (6) of medical school
Step 3 – year 1 of residency (or before)
usmle.org

6. Tip #2:
Be Flexible!

7. Most Competitive Programs
Orthopedics
Neurosurgery
Ophthalmology
Plastic Surgery
Urology
Dermatology
Radiation Oncology

8. Plastic Surgery: 141
Dermatology: 407

9. Least Competitive Programs
Family Medicine
Psychiatry
Physiatry and Rehabilitation
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Pediatrics
Anesthesiology
Emergency Medicine
OBGyn

10. Tip #3:
Never give up, never surrender!

12. Thank you