Despite a significant doctor shortage in the United States that only stands to worsen, a stigma persists around medical students who attend international medical schools. Some still believe that international schools cannot match the rigorous standards of medical schools in the United States, but if you ask Dr. Adedyo Akande, President of the University of Health Sciences Antigua, this opinion is without merit.
“The quality of medical education in the Caribbean has dramatically improved over the years,” says Dr. Akande. “What students learn in US schools is the same as what they will learn in the Caribbean.”
Dr. Akande has made it his mission to encourage students left out in the cold by US medical schools’ historically low acceptance rates to consider attending medical school in the Caribbean.
Acceptance Rates and Price Considerations
Most people know what the Caribbean has to offer: beautiful beaches, warm weather, and a relatively low cost of living compared to most large US cities. However, when considering what islands like Antigua have to offer, people may not immediately jump to “superior medical schools.” Dr. Akande is hoping to change this.
“Caribbean medical schools give students an international experience. We have graduated practicing students from around the world and in nearly every medical specialty,” says Dr. Akande.
The University of Health Sciences in Antigua (UHSA) boasts a better acceptance rate than US schools, which can be notoriously stringent with their acceptances. Recently, the university opened its doors to 200 new medical students, 80% of whom were from the United States. With well-known US schools such as Georgetown receiving upwards of 14,000 applicants a year for coveted medical school spots, the low acceptance rates of 2 to 4% can be disheartening.
The price point is another draw for international medical scholars. Medical students can expect to save upwards of $50,000 to $147,000 over the average cost of medical school in the United States. With the cost of higher education ever increasing, especially in the health sciences, this discount could mean the difference between someone becoming a doctor or not.
“Taking on large amounts of debts to become a physician is not an ideal pathway,” says Dr. Akande. “Particularly as a new resident, students will not have huge salaries. Being able to still manage your finances while pursuing your dream is important.”
A Superior Education
One thing many potential medical school students may find surprising is the superior level of education they can expect out of a Caribbean school. Students at international schools — including UHSA — can expect the same expectations, areas of study, and testing that students in the US have come to see as par for the course. UHSA has partnered with a Canadian life sciences company to offer instruction in the use of psychedelic medicines for mental health needs, preparing new doctors to address the growing mental health epidemic in the US and abroad.
UHSA and other similar Caribbean-based medical schools focus on challenging their students and educating them to be ready to address international challenges. UHSA graduates who pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination requirements will be as eligible to serve a residency in the US as their US-based medical school peers.
Dr. Akande is quick to mention that not all Caribbean medical schools give the same attention to exceptional education standards as UHSA. As such, he encourages prospective medical students to research each choice to determine the best option for their needs. Just as is the case in the United States, some medical schools are better than others.
With a near-critical physician shortage looming in the United States, it has become imperative to offer choices to those that want to become medical doctors. Leaders like Dr. Akande will continue to promote their programs and allow medical students from the US and beyond to become aware of their options and make the best choice for themselves. Perhaps by offering a wealth of choices in medical education, schools such as UHSA can quell the doctor shortage epidemic.
