Khoshpouri P, Mohseni A, Dabiri M, Ansari G, Zadeh FS, Ataeinia B, Saadat N, Sherbaf FG, Yousem DM. International Medical Graduates in Radiology Residencies: Demographics, Performance, and Visa Issues.
Acad Radiol 2023;
30:3124-3134. [PMID:
37183141 DOI:
10.1016/j.acra.2023.04.008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
The number of international medical graduates (IMG) in radiology residencies has varied from year to year even as the number of candidates continues to grow. It is unclear from which countries the IMGs are arriving and what visas are being used to accommodate them.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We sent a survey to 195 program directors (PD) in diagnostic radiology (DR) inquiring about the number and nationality of IMG residents in their program, their attitudes about IMG candidates, the performance of their IMG trainees, and the visas that are offered.
RESULTS
We received responses from 121 of 195 (62.1%) DR programs (121/149 =81.2% of actionable emails). 80/121 (66.1%) had at least one IMG in their DR residency program and the countries of origin included India (36), Iran (30), Saudi Arabia (24), Egypt (16), Canada (14), Brazil (14), and Pakistan (9), as the most common. While most programs (76/104, 73.1%) offered J1 visas, 23/99 (23.2%) provided H-1B visas to trainees. IMG DR residents overall performed as well as American graduates, with an equal number of PDs saying IMGs performed better and worse than American graduates. PDs' issues with IMGs centered on visas: (1) expense, (2) lack of familiarity, (3) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates regulations, and (4) time commitment in submitting paperwork.
CONCLUSION
Most radiology IMG residents originate from India and Middle Eastern countries. Once enrolled, IMG residents perform similarly to US graduates. However, adding IMG candidates to the training program requires overcoming bureaucratic and monetary hurdles around visas.
SUMMARY SENTENCE
Most DR international medical graduate residents are from India or the Middle East. Although their performance is the same as American graduates in general, PDs note the monetary and bureaucratic hassles accompanying their recruitment.
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