A Primer on Caribbean Medical Schools and Students: APDS Surgery Panel Session

Abstract

Mark L. Friedell, MD I became interested in this subject a few years ago because we began observing more and more graduates of Caribbean medical schools applying to and obtaining positions in my program. Although I have no experience with osteopathic (DO) medical students, many of our colleagues do—particularly in the Midwest. The panelists today will discuss their experiences with Caribbean and osteopathic medical students as surgical residents. In April 2009, an article appeared in the American College of Surgeons “Surgery News” titled, “Fewer U.S. Grads Choose Surgery.” The 2008 and 2009 surgery National Resident Matching Program figures (Table 1) showed a lower percentage of United States graduates in categoric and preliminary positions in 2009 compared with 2008. Dr Jacob Moalem commented that 2 factors might be in play. First, there might be a declining interest in surgery among United States medical graduates. Second, a cultural shift might be making international medical graduates (IMGs) more competitive applicants. As more IMGs go through surgical residencies and perform well, it might make programs more likely to consider them for coveted positions. The reasons for the interest in United States IMGs for surgical residency positions were outlined nicely by Dr Ted Copeland who cited the following 3 factors: (1) There has been no increase in United States medical school graduates for 30 years, (2) the United States population is aging and expanding, and (3) the population of general surgeons is decreasing as fewer residents are choosing general surgery and existing general surgeons are aging. In fact, there has been a decline in the number f general surgeons as a percentage of the total physician workorce by 4% since 1975 (whereas the numbers in other surgical pecialties have remained almost constant) (Fig. 1). He went on to describe the members of generation Y currently complet-