International medical graduates are recognized as medical degree holders from an overseas country who wants to get a license to practice his excellence in medical sciences in that country. They are also called foreign medical graduates. It is mandatory for the medical degree holders to pass the basic medical graduation program internationally recognized by World Health Organization (WHO). A wing of WHO, Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, constantly updates the accredited medical institutions across the world and the list is published as International Medical Education Directory. International medical graduates have to pass an examination to prove them in practicing medicine, standardized for that particular country. For this, they are required to acquire the ECFMG certificate.
As medical schools throughout the world vary in their standards and curriculum, the intention of ECFMG is to assess the condition of the overseas doctor to go into a post graduate clinical specialty course. It is also assessed whether he or she can fairly compatible to work as resident doctor for the field he or she has chosen. Post doctoral training program aspirants are also required to enter such certification courses.
An international medical graduate has to clear USMLE in order to join as a resident doctor in the US. Similarly, a doctor, who has not obtained medical degree in the UK, European Union or not trained in Switzerland, has to pass PLAB before joining as a Senior House Officer (SHO) in the UK.
The use of English language as a day to day practice are being assessed before giving the final clearance if the international medical graduate are trying to pursue his further studies in an English Speaking nation.
