By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    HIPPA compliance
    How Medical Office Staff Can Make Your Practice HIPAA Compliant
    October 29, 2021
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid treatment
    February 10, 2022
    Which Mushroom Capsules Are Good for Your Health?
    May 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Image
    Healthcare Pricing Transparency Gains Momentum
    June 24, 2013
    non-clinical care factors in health outcomes
    Addressing Non-Clinical Care Factors in Health Outcomes
    November 15, 2013
    e interventions
    Healthcare Progress Depends On “E Interventions”
    July 10, 2014
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Caribbean Medical School – Things to Know
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Education > Caribbean Medical School – Things to Know
Medical Education

Caribbean Medical School – Things to Know

Michael J Jones
Michael J Jones
Share
6 Min Read
Caribbean Medical School - Things to Know
SHARE

Caribbean Medical School - Things to KnowBy Arber Frakulli 

Caribbean Medical School - Things to KnowBy Arber Frakulli 

Aspiring to become a doctor is a noble venture, but what if you are one of the many that did not qualify for the Medical Schools to which you applied? Fortunately for individuals determined enough to make it, another viable option is choosing a Medical School in one of the many Caribbean Islands. However, extensive research should be undertaken in order to find a school that will get you to where you need to go.

Some of the criteria to look for are the academics of the program, the number and quality of the residency placements of graduating students, and the cost of tuition. A good place to start is the prospective medical schools’ websites, attending workshops and seminars the schools may organize, contacting alumni, and perusing through the many forums available relating to Caribbean Medical Schools. Here are a couple of additional suggestions that everyone should consider before taking that leap of faith.

More Read

7 Reasons You Need Digital Marketing For Your Medical Practice
Topics You Need To Study And Prepare For When Taking The NCLEX
10 Benefits Of Online Colleges For Your Healthcare Degree
Medical Educators Need to Take Charge and Help Deflate Medical Bills
Promoting Innovations in Medical Education

Caribbean Medical Schools often boast about their high USMLE Step 1 (United States Medical Licensing Examination) pass-rates and how they are comparable to American Medical Schools. The main reason the pass-rate is so high is because Caribbean Medical Schools have now integrated a Comprehensive National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exam into their programs. This test is taken at the end of the Basic Sciences portion spent on the island, and it assesses the knowledge amassed by the graduating students. Only the students that get past this bottleneck are allowed to write the Step 1. At face value, this concept may not seem all that great, but in the grand scheme of things, it is much better having to rewrite the Comprehensive Exam as opposed rushing to write the Step 1 without being fully prepared for it. Not doing well on Step 1 will surely make it difficult to match in any Residency when the time comes. Therefore, schools set a benchmark that everyone must reach in order to be eligible to write Step 1; this definitely increases the chances for success.

Additionally, being an IMG (International Medical Graduate) puts you at a bit of a disadvantage when applying for Residency. According to 2015 statistics posted by the NRMP, 53.1% of US citizen IMGs matched successfully (this is the highest rate since 2005)1. Moreover, only 49.4% of applicants managed to match as non-US IMGs1. This means that in order to land a residency on the first attempt, you must achieve as high a score as possible on the USMLE Step Exams and manage to impress your Resident and Attending Physicians during Clinical Rotations.

The schools do their part in preparing students for life after the island, but it is up to each person to make sure he or she learns as much as possible in order to maximize the chances of success. Prospective students have to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses before committing so much time, energy, and money.

That being said, I have now spent over a year in a Caribbean Medical School (Medical University of the Americas, Nevis), and it has been quite an adventure. The professors and my fellow students will have a lasting impact on me. I have learned a lot about my own strengths and weaknesses; it has been a truly unique experience. Being thrust upon a tropical island, where you are not vacationing, with people you have never met before can be a bit of a shock to your system. However, it is exciting to meet new people from all over the US and Canada, each with his or her own unique story to tell and unique path traversed to get here. Being immersed in the Caribbean culture and learning about the local traditions, history, and cuisine is also an enjoyable and enriching part of the journey.

At the end of the day, the Caribbean Medical Schools give you a chance at realizing your dream of becoming a doctor. It is truly a one-of-a-kind place to study; free of distractions and with ideal weather year round, it is absolutely conducive to studying. However, you have to be on the grind day in and day out if you want to achieve your goal. Once you know what you are up against, you can dissect the situations and competently make the necessary adjustments to overcome the challenges you may face. Yes, it is not an easy undertaking, but everything in this world that is truly worth doing requires dedication and hard work.

  1. NRMP (National Resident Matching Program). “Results and Data 2015 Main Residency Match”. The Match – National Resident Matching Program. April, 2015. Web. Retrieved 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Main-Match-Results-and-Data-2015_final.pdf>.
TAGGED:CaribbeanMedical schoolresidency
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

osteopaths
BusinessHealth ReformMedical EducationPolicy & Law

Osteopathic Medical Schools Are Increasing the Numbers of Quality Grads

August 3, 2014

5 Facts You Should Know About Nurse Practitioners

December 22, 2011
Image
eHealthGlobal HealthcareMedical EducationMedical RecordsMobile HealthRemote DiagnosticsSocial MediaTechnology

#Doctors20 & You Conference: #mHealth, #ePatients, #Collaboration

May 25, 2012
Medical Education

Struggling With Biology Class? Tips On How To Handle Biology Homework

July 15, 2020
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?