Get MD/PhD in US or Australia?

[kayleechrist]

Hello everyone! Long time lurker and first time poster. I'm currently a 3rd year student going for pre-med in the U.S. I initially planned on attending a MD/Phd program in the U.S as they (mostly) tend to be fully funded. However, I am desperate to get out of the U.S and to Australia. I know that once you have a MD it's better to finish your residency in the U.S before traveling abroad, but would it be better altogether to get my MD in Australia? I know they tend to prefer their own students when it comes to residency, I just don't know if they offer a program similar to a MD/PhD as far as I can find. Additionally, it seems unlikely that it would be fully funded like in the U.S.

I'd like to skip over the 10 year moratorium if possible but don't know if it's worth paying the extra money it'd cost... Anyone have any experience or knowledge in this area? Thank you!

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[anarchythekid]

I am in the same position and am sad to see no one has replied to this post yet. I'm in high school but I'm planning go into pre-med. I want to practice in Asutralia but it seems very confusing and overwhelming.

 

[Fencer]

You don't have that many people who have faced this issue. We are not versed on the intricacies and subtlety of the Australian's physician-scientist environment to make a constructive comment. International applicants in the US are at a disadvantage to get into MD/PhD programs as most slots are funded thru a combination of institutional funds, endowments (with restrictions), and NIH funding. It might be easier to do a MBBS or MD in Australia and obtain PhD training in the US. About 25-40% of graduate students in biomedical PhDs are international, and they are funded.

 

[Neuronix]

I have moved this thread to the international forum.

 

[Domperidone]

Hello everyone! Long time lurker and first time poster. I'm currently a 3rd year student going for pre-med in the U.S. I initially planned on attending a MD/Phd program in the U.S as they (mostly) tend to be fully funded. However, I am desperate to get out of the U.S and to Australia. I know that once you have a MD it's better to finish your residency in the U.S before traveling abroad, but would it be better altogether to get my MD in Australia? I know they tend to prefer their own students when it comes to residency, I just don't know if they offer a program similar to a MD/PhD as far as I can find. Additionally, it seems unlikely that it would be fully funded like in the U.S.

I'd like to skip over the 10 year moratorium if possible but don't know if it's worth paying the extra money it'd cost... Anyone have any experience or knowledge in this area? Thank you!

Why the desperation to move to Australia? Are you from there? Have family there?
And how much do you know about Australian post-grad training or 'residency'?

Australia does have MD/PhD programs. On whether they're similar to the US - I have no idea either. For international students who are neither Australian citizens or permanent residents, it is not fully funded - you would be a full fee paying student (at least 250-300k in total).

10 year moratorium? I'm having trouble understanding what you're asking here. How is this related to extra cost?
The 10 year moratorium refers to medicare restrictions on international medical students and IMGs when they become healthcare providers (mainly family doctors and private practice). You can chip away some years by working in rural/regional or remote parts of Australia by up to 5 years.

 

[jedrek]

I was interested in the MD/PhD at one point of time,as an international pre-med. Currently,ANU,Sydney,Griffith,UQ and Monash offer the MD-PhD programme. MD-PhD in Australia usually takes up 6 years of studies/research.

As Domperidone mentioned, the MD/PhD in Australia isn't fully-funded. The best way is to pay the MD full-fee and be awarded the international scholarship for PhD. I feel that it loses the allure of the MD-PhD,as it is meant to be fully funded and the extra cost of doing it isn't as spectacular,considering that you can still go into clinical research as a MD specialising in the specific area of research.

Another issue is that the MD-PhD intake is small(10-15),you only get to apply for it after first yr of MD and upon hitting a certain score in MD1. This is to ensure that applicants don't end up regretting their decision mid-way if they can't juggle their MD commitments well with their PhD.

 

[marble30]

IIRC, Phloston did an MD/PhD via UQ. Might be worth asking him for his thoughts.