Pathways for Success in Academic Medicine for an International Medical Graduate: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

International medical graduate (IMG) is a term used to describe individuals who have completed their undergraduate medical education outside of the United States in schools not accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. These trainees may face substantial obstacles in learning psychiatry and other fields of medicine even as they bring many assets to the field. In this chapter, we describe the nature of academic medicine and the challenges and opportunities that IMGs face on the basis of our experience and from our particular personal histories. Traditionally, academic medicine’s mission in the United States has been threefold: teaching, research, and service. Academic medicine is an approach, a state of mind, and a way of practicing medicine. In our experience, IMGs have to overcome obstacles including absence of a role model, employment setting, type of residency program, and discrimination. To succeed in academic medicine, IMGs should be proactive and volunteer, polish presentation and public speaking skills, engage in publishing and other scholarly activities, find a mentor, become a member of professional organizations, manage complex academic relationships, and develop cultural competence. Developing and succeeding in an academic career, although challenging, is often fun, enriching, and deeply gratifying.