Thank you for taking an interest and reading my thread.
Please read the whole argument so that you get a clear picture of why I am asking the question I ask.
I am an American citizen, graduate of Bologna University medical School in Italy, and licensed to practice medicine in all of Europe. A few years back, I took an exam called FMGEMS ( Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences) which consists of 2 parts: Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences. This exam is a required to enter a residency program in an American hospital. It was NOT the same exam ALL US medical students took. I was not allowed to take the same exam the US medical students take, though I am a US citizen.
My question:Is this discrimination or were my civil rights violated?
Now I did pass the Basic Sciences part of the exam, and it just happened to be, that they were going to start giving the same exams the US medical students take. I had 3 months to study for the clinical part, but was so stressed out, because they told me if I didn't pass that part, my basic sciences exam, which I studied hard for and passed, would no longer be valid. Well I tried the exam and missed it by a few points. BTW, since the AMA is a business, they mark the test on a curve... so if to many pass the exam, then there will be to many doctors. They can pass as many as they want. Anyway, I lost all interest in general medicine and became more interested in natural health. I studied at various schools, and now I am Naturopathic Physician (N.D.) licensed in Washington D.C., nutritionist, herbalist, graduate of the clinical training program in Behavioral medicine at Harvard Medical school, as well as a bi-vocational assistant pastor at a Baptist church. However, I have been working as a substitute teacher for many years, because NJ doesn't license Naturopaths. I also am a certified chaplain and do Biblical, Christian counseling, but there is no work here either, since I cannot accept insurance coverage.
So, I have an M.D., N.D., and I am substituting now only a few days a week, since everyone unemployed is doing it now as a source of temporary income.
You can see why this exam has caused me much aggravation. If I had the same exam from the beginning, I would have passed the exam, I would be licensed, and I could practice as a wellness counselor and nutritionist, accept insurance and I would have no problem. I heard that the AMA says they gave us that exam to see if we are competent to work as physicians here in the US. However, my knowledge was measured on a different scale. I had copies of the exams the US students took and the pass rate would have been so high that the US would start closing medical schools.
It was not a question of comptency, but of COMPETITION!
BTW, I took a course which prepares foreign medical students for the exam, and the pharmacology professor siad even he would have a tough time taking the pharmacology part of the exam, and he teaches it in medical school.
Again, my question: is this dicrimination or were my civil rights violated.?
Thanks for your attention.
Please read the whole argument so that you get a clear picture of why I am asking the question I ask.
I am an American citizen, graduate of Bologna University medical School in Italy, and licensed to practice medicine in all of Europe. A few years back, I took an exam called FMGEMS ( Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences) which consists of 2 parts: Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences. This exam is a required to enter a residency program in an American hospital. It was NOT the same exam ALL US medical students took. I was not allowed to take the same exam the US medical students take, though I am a US citizen.
My question:Is this discrimination or were my civil rights violated?
Now I did pass the Basic Sciences part of the exam, and it just happened to be, that they were going to start giving the same exams the US medical students take. I had 3 months to study for the clinical part, but was so stressed out, because they told me if I didn't pass that part, my basic sciences exam, which I studied hard for and passed, would no longer be valid. Well I tried the exam and missed it by a few points. BTW, since the AMA is a business, they mark the test on a curve... so if to many pass the exam, then there will be to many doctors. They can pass as many as they want. Anyway, I lost all interest in general medicine and became more interested in natural health. I studied at various schools, and now I am Naturopathic Physician (N.D.) licensed in Washington D.C., nutritionist, herbalist, graduate of the clinical training program in Behavioral medicine at Harvard Medical school, as well as a bi-vocational assistant pastor at a Baptist church. However, I have been working as a substitute teacher for many years, because NJ doesn't license Naturopaths. I also am a certified chaplain and do Biblical, Christian counseling, but there is no work here either, since I cannot accept insurance coverage.
So, I have an M.D., N.D., and I am substituting now only a few days a week, since everyone unemployed is doing it now as a source of temporary income.
You can see why this exam has caused me much aggravation. If I had the same exam from the beginning, I would have passed the exam, I would be licensed, and I could practice as a wellness counselor and nutritionist, accept insurance and I would have no problem. I heard that the AMA says they gave us that exam to see if we are competent to work as physicians here in the US. However, my knowledge was measured on a different scale. I had copies of the exams the US students took and the pass rate would have been so high that the US would start closing medical schools.
It was not a question of comptency, but of COMPETITION!
BTW, I took a course which prepares foreign medical students for the exam, and the pharmacology professor siad even he would have a tough time taking the pharmacology part of the exam, and he teaches it in medical school.
Again, my question: is this dicrimination or were my civil rights violated.?
Thanks for your attention.
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