When it comes to choosing the best medical school, students should keep many factors in mind such as tuition cost, location, graduate success rate, average GPA and MCAT scores and most importantly accreditation.
Attending a properly accredited medical school is critically important for students to pursue a rewarding career in the field of medicine. Therefore, it is important to do careful research before applying to a Caribbean medical school to make sure you attend an accredited medical university. Students are advised to all the legal bodies and organizations that accredit the school. Make sure the school you are thinking to apply to has been approved by the specific country that you might want to pursue a career.
Obtaining an MD is no easy feat, it is a challenging task that needs a lot of effort, energy, and determination. Choosing an accredited Caribbean medical school will ensure that you are eligible to practice medicine in different states of the U.S. and can take maximum advantage of your time and tuition you have invested.
If you are thinking of applying to a top Caribbean medical school, keep these important considerations in mind before making a final decision.
How to Find the Accredited Caribbean Medical School?
Majority of Caribbean students want to attend a medical university that offers an international curriculum and has US accreditation. You have to keep this fact in mind that the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) only accredit medical programs in Canada and the US. If you are looking for Caribbean medical school accreditation, it is advised to search for medical schools accredited by the World Federation for Medical (WFME).
There are more than 60 Caribbean medical schools and almost every school claim accreditation. But only a few including Windsor University School of Medicine that are officially recognized by the World Health Organization, and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research – International Medical Education Directory (FAIMER-IMED) are producing graduates that are eligible to pursue their medical career in the United States.
The Types of Accreditation that Matter Most
When choosing a Caribbean medical school to fulfill your dream of becoming an excellent doctor, here are a few things that future medical school students should keep in mind.
Accredited by the CAAM-HP
The Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) is the legally constituted body for medical schools in 15 Caribbean countries. The accrediting body deeply analyzes the quality of accredit medical education programs. The CAAM-HP is recognized by the US Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA). Students who receive MD from a medical school accredited by CAAM-HP are eligible to complete USMLE examinations and become the United States and Canadian doctors.
ECFMG Certification is Must
Students who are currently studying in Caribbean medical schools are required to certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to appear in the USMLE. The ECFMG assesses the skills and abilities of international medical graduates. ECFMG certification is required for residency and fellowship programs in the United States.
Windsor University School of Medicine – An Accredited Caribbean Medical School
Since there are only a few accredited medical schools in the Caribbean, WUSOM is one of those that has an affordable tuition fee and holds the following credentials:
- WUSOM is accredited by the Medical Council and Board of Government of St. Kitts. This board ensures that educational institutions meet and maintain high standards of providing quality education. The goal is to foster graduates who are competitive in the workplace, with a scope that ranges from local to regional to international.
- Windsor University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Board of St. Kitts & Nevis.
- It is licensed and chartered by the Ministry of Education and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools in partnership with FAIMER.
- WUSOM is listed in the World Health Organization Directory of Medical Schools.
- The ECFMG has also accredited WUSOM.
- Windsor University has been approved by the Medical Council of Canada and the Medical Council of India.
- Windsor graduates are eligible to be Education Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certified and eligible to appear in the United States Medical Examination (USMLE) and Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE).
- Graduates are also eligible to participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).
Windsor University School of Medicine is an accredited Caribbean medical school that is striving hard to produce intelligent, top-quality and qualified physicians, offering residency programs and preparing their graduates to practice medicine in different states of the United States and Canada.
Caribbean Medical School Accreditation and Residency Match
Attending an accredited Caribbean medical school is critically important when it comes to applying to a residency program. Accreditation is required for Caribbean graduates to apply for residency and practice medicine in different states of the US and Canada. Students should pay close attention to the medical university they are attending is recognized by the legal bodies and where they will get a residency match and practice medicine.
Students who graduated from Caribbean medical schools that are listed on the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) are eligible to apply for residency in the US and Canada. Schools that are accredited by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) can apply for residency in the US and Canada.
Residency program directors only hire residents from medical schools that are accredited by the legal bodies. Residency directors know the fact that accredited Caribbean medical schools that strictly follow the same standard as US schools give their students essential training required for providing excellent patient care. Caribbean medical school graduates have essential skills and foundational knowledge required to create an effective treatment plan. They have a clear idea of how US hospitals operate, their structure, terminologies used and expectations of patients. In short, they are well-prepared for a variety of competitive specialties.
Matching int a residency position is a challenge for many medical school graduates. Therefore, choosing a competent and accredited Caribbean medical school is must that fits your learning style and strengthen your chances of getting a perfect residency match. A quality Caribbean medical school that has highly-experienced faculty, cutting-edge learning resources, and state-of-the-art campus facilities, offers clinical rotations in US and Canada, better prepares your USMLE Step 1 and 2, provides residency application guidance and has a stellar residency placement track record will set yourself up for medical success.
Studying in a Caribbean medical school will not prevent you from obtaining a residency in a competitive specialty. If you secure impressive grades throughout medical school, pass your licensing exams with flying colors and then apply to a residency program, you have higher chances of matching to your favorite specialty.
Getting a residency placement in the US and Canada can be an intricate undertaking for many Caribbean medical school graduates. Fortunately, graduates of Caribbean medical schools successfully qualify for a large number of residency positions in the US and Canada in various competitive medical specialties. Attending a well-established and accredited Caribbean medical school can make you eligible to appear on USMLE Step 1 and 2 which is essential to obtain a license and practice medicine without any supervision of attendant or physician.
Make sure to attend Caribbean medical schools that are affiliated with teaching hospitals in the United States and send their students to the US for clinical rotations. Caribbean students with the stellar academic background and outstanding clinical performance are eligible to gain perfect residency match in various competitive medical specialties. Before starting your medical school journey, it is a sensible approach to carefully evaluate the success of the residency match success of graduates. Majority of Caribbean medical schools publish their match results on their websites; you are advised to visit the websites of all the schools you are aiming to apply to.
After residency, Caribbean medical students will be eligible to obtain board certification and state licensure. There is no denying the fact that the residency training matters most and helps you pursue a rewarding career in the field of medicine. Make your every possible effort to get the best possible residency and fellowship program to secure competitive attending positions.
To Conclude it All
A Caribbean medical school is undoubtedly a great choice for those who want to start their career in medicine and serve humanity. It is important to pay careful attention to accreditation when selecting a school as accreditation ensures that medical school meets the required standard, function, performance and meets the education requirements, and provides advanced training required to provide excellent patient care and fulfill the healthcare needs of patients.
Graduates of accredited medical programs have bright chances of obtaining residencies and participating in clinical clerkships in the Unites States. All in all, attending an accredited Caribbean medical school makes it easier for graduates to earn a medical license and become a qualified physician and practice medicine in the United States, Canada and all over the globe.
