U.S. vs U.K. : Where to train from?

 Let’s try to answer the favorite question of doctors finishing their M.B.B.S. and planning to pursue post graduation abroad: Should I go to the U.S. or the U.K.?

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United States of America

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What are the pros of post-graduate training in the U.S.?

1. More training early on in the career as you work more hours
2. More money : Consultants can earn $200–300k / year atleast. This can go upto a million dollars a year if you are a renowned private practicing neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.
3. Post graduation pathways are shorter as compared to their counterparts in the U.K.
4. You can study in the best institutions in the world ( Ivy League Universities )
5. Better weather : The geographic location of the U.S. and its huge landmass allows better weather as compared to the U.K. where weather can be predominantly rainy
6. You get to live the American dream ( do you ?)

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What are the cons of post-graduate training in the U.S.?

1. You work really long hours ( trainees work 100–110 hours a week , this is more in surgical specialties )
2. Entry level exams ( i.e. USMLE ) more difficult to pass
3. Difficult pathway towards getting training in a competitive specialty as an IMG
4. Rising racism and dangerous gun laws
5. Not a welfare state and healthcare is expensive
6. You pretend to live the American dream

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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What are the pros of post-graduate training in the U.K.?

1. Training and hands on experience distributed over a long time span in your career
2. You work less hours ( Under the European Working Time Directive, doctors and trainee doctors are restricted to working a maximum of 48 hours per week on average over a six month period, unless they voluntarily opt-out.)
3. You get sufficiently paid to live lavishly ( standards of lavish life may vary from person to person, but I’m talking about driving a Tesla as a junior doctor)
4. You get to study in the best medical institutions of the world ( Oxford / Cambridge/ UCL )
5. Entry level exams (PLAB) are easy as compared to their American counterparts
6. U.K. is a welfare state with NHS as a successful health service system
7. Country better in terms of gun laws
8. Rainy and cold weather

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What are the cons of post-graduate training in the U.K.?

1. Longer post graduate training pathways as compared to those in Asian countries/ America
2. Less money as compared to the U.S. ( please note the working hours involved here )
3. Rainy and cold weather
4. You pretend to imitate the British accent

Which one do you find the best for yourself ?

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