Highlights

1. OSCE training

Residency program directors are looking for doctors who are equally competent as US medical graduates in patient communication, taking history from patients, managing patients, communicating efficiently with nursing staff, in-house pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and other members of the patient management team. Since OSCE exams are temporarily discontinued now, it is difficult for the program directors to assess the candidates for the above skill sets. We train medical graduates by creating an environment like the US hospital wards. We are communicating with US residency program directors regarding the standard of our training.  

International medical graduates (IMGs) applying for US residency programs must understand that communication skills, history taking skills, and physical examination methods are different from where they graduate. For example, you will be objectively assessed for verbal, non-verbal, empathy and coherence elements of your communication skills. What type of language can be used with patients? What does non-verbal communication mean? Is showing sympathy the same as showing empathy? What is coherence? How to break bad news? What are the legal implications while communicating, examining and managing patients? Are you giving options to a patient? What is the next plan? What is the role of patients or their surrogate decision makers in the management? For a candidate, pre-residency program is about acquiring skill sets at par with the standards expected of a resident doctor for starting a residency program. More important is the patient examination skills. What steps have to be taken before and during the examination? Our pre-residency training program guarantees making sure that you are fully equipped with these skill sets. 

An alternative to our OSCE training is to go the US and do clinical rotations/ observerships in US hospitals. Please note that hospitals will not allow you to directly interact or examine the patients. However, you can observe with permission from each patient and learn a lot. Hospitals usually charge a monthly fee of 1000$. In summary, the program directors must get the confidence that you will be able to manage patients from day one of your residency.

2. Research

Residents are expected to carry out research projects during their residency training. We will provide you with sufficient guidance to undertake your own independent research projects. Research is a requirement for your residency application. Your research work will be viewed as your contribution to the community. During residency programs, you are expected to initiate research work. Programs examine whether you are a candidate who can do it? Is the candidate familiar with statistics? 

3. Opportunity to improve professional writing skills 

You will have an opportunity to participate as a contributing student author (for a chapter, in an area that you are interested in doing residency) in the next edition of the OSCE book being written by Dr. Vadakkan. This will give you excellent exposure to familiarize yourself with the conduction of OSCE exams, which will make you an excellent communicator, an expert history taker and a professional examiner of patients in various contexts. This will naturally strengthen your residency application.

4. Residency interview preparation

Program directors always ask the question, "Why should I select this candidate?" "Can the candidate give a journal club presentation of a latest article in Lancet?" "Is the candidate a self-starter?" "What qualities that this candidate is bringing to the program?" "Will our program get enriched by including this applicant in our team?" 

Summary

A full pre-residency training program will need at least two to three years (once a week) to deliver all its benefits. You will be assessed thoroughly during this period. We will highlight your weaknesses and help you to rectify them during the training. We strive to provide the highest standard of preparation for our trainees. We will provide a reference letter to your residency application when you achieve standards that are at par with US medical graduates. Frequent assessments and feedback will be similar to that of the residency program directors and chief residents. We will also provide feedback about your performance in the OSCE, communication skills, and your ability to conduct research work. In summary, we aim to train the applicants who are ready to contribute to the residency programs as valuable team members.

Additional Training 

Super specialty Neurology entrance exam preparation.

Latest news

01/04/24:  2024 US Residency match data: Article 

Please note that this year nearly 2500 residency slots were not filled when the results came on March 15^th. Programs will take residents only when they find suitable applicants. Otherwise, they keep that position unfilled. So, the aim of pre-residency program is to discover your abilities and prepare you to become suitable candidates for residency programs. Also note that nearly 33% of (i.e. nearly 13,000) positions were filled by international medical graduates. 

29/03/24:  Predicting fitness to practice of those who registered for PLAB. Article

28/03/24:  Challenges of IMG in working in US health care system. Article

27/03/24:  Outcomes of international medical graduates (IMGs) in 2022 match. Article 

26/03/24:  USMLE score interpretation guidelines. Article