Why I chose UK over US as an Indian Doctor

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Published 2023-09-08
Like many IMG doctors, I contemplated between the US and the UK. While the allure of the US is undeniable, I gravitated towards the UK for several reasons. Firstly, the UK offers a more adventurous exploration of medical specialties. Unlike the US, which is more restrictive, the UK allowed me to experiment in diverse fields, like Colorectal surgery and Emergency Medicine, akin to "dating before marrying."

The pay structure also drew me to the UK. While salaries might not seem gigantic, when you consider hourly rates and the bonus 'locum' shifts, they are quite competitive. Not to mention, the conditions for residents in the US can be grueling with the hours they put in, often leading to lesser pay for more work.

Additionally, the journey for an international medical graduate is simpler in the UK. The USMLE felt like a mammoth challenge, while the UK’s PLAB was more approachable. However, PLAB will soon be replaced by the UKMLA, an exam designed for both UK final year students and international graduates. I'm even working on a project to help students navigate this transition, so keep an eye out for that!

Then there's the unparalleled flexibility the UK offers. One can seamlessly transition between specialties, making the experience feel like a “medical playground”. And let's not forget about the location benefits! The UK, especially London, is a travel lover's dream. Proximity to Europe, affordable flights, breathtaking landscapes, historical sites, and a vibrant culture make it ideal. The connectivity, with London boasting six major airports, is just the cherry on top.

In conclusion, my decision to move to the UK was personal and tailored to my desires and goals. It's not about advocating for one over the other, but sharing my journey and reasons. I'm still exploring, and who knows, the US might be on the cards in the future. Stay tuned for more of my adventures and upcoming announcements, especially for those considering the PLAB/UKMLA transition. Thanks for joining me on this journey, and don’t forget to engage and stay connected!

⚡️Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
02:02 Adventure in Specialty choices
06:20 Let’s talk money, honey.
08:30 A simpler path
10:06 Flexibility
10:48 It’s all about the location
11:45 Some final thoughts….and a warning

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WHO AM I?👨🏻‍⚕️
Hey👋🏼, my name is Ajay. I am a General Practice/Family Medicine trainee in Cambridge, UK.

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All Comments (21)
  • @DoctorAmedicine
    Hey guys, sorry have been a bit inconsistent with uploads but have a couple of videos in the bag now so will be very regular henceforth! See you next week(most likely on Wednesday ;))
  • @G.Pruthvi12
    Reality check. Plab is easier than usmle. That's one reason a lot of people prefer plab. Period
  • @Deshammanideep
    Doctors from India are moving to US, UK for better salaries. while patients from US, UK are coming to India for affordable treatment. 😢
  • @creativity2598
    I have seen so many doctors in the UK leave because of pay. But I haven't seen or heard of a doctor leave US
  • @devishine
    Being a resident doctor in USA. Lot of this doesn't make sense. USMLE is quite doable. There are Indian graduates matching to every specialty in USA. Family Medicine/ GP is just 3 years residency after MBBS and no need to foundation year. The resident's pay is comparable to national average salary though its much less than an attending/ consultant salary
  • I did mbbs from India and I am doing anesthesiology in the US, and earning $550k/year. Win win.
  • @quin5155
    I want to encourage all medical workers out there, as a surgical nurse i have been loving my profession in nursing and have worked in two countries , just keep doing what you love irrespective of the location. In addition to having a good profession it also helped in my strategic investing plans that allowed me to purchase my third home, supporting my retirement goals.
  • Nice video. I have also recently moved to UK. I was in the same confusion UK/USA. I think UK has more opportunity for doctors like us who have already completed MD in India and want to further progress in in a particular speciality. Another good option is without doing training with experience you can become trust grade consultant or a speciality doctor.
  • @darreldennis7115
    Sorry have to disagree. So many British doctors move to the US. Even in my program, there are so many. They said they are happy to do the residency again if it means earning 3x more.
  • @kushistheboss
    The comparison is not between US and UK. It’s between india vs US or india vs UK. great vid doc
  • @dakshhcr2574
    I'm a Commerce student (16), but still, the first point made me realise something... That having an idea of the field we will be pursuing for the whole life beforehand, is really really important. Thanks YouTube, for blessing my feed with this video.
  • @tab8294
    Finally Ajay is back🎉 so excited to see this
  • @mohabdoon5898
    Man you are great, now I will book plab 1 for May confident ❤
  • @Vaideebhuvan
    Hello Dr Ajay. happen to see this video today. Thank you for your nice inputs. Would like to know more about the steps involved in getting to post graduate education in the UK.
  • @agbajifriday3968
    I love your videos, great job!... Pls, i look forward to watching your video on UKMLA and didn't you take PLAB? I didn't here get that part of your journey. I'll be taking IELTS/OET and PLAB/UKMLA next year. Thank you
  • @darshanshettynow
    A speed dating video on different speciality would be a fun video idea.