What happens to medical school grads who don't get a residency? Match Day for medical residency: The scramble, foreign doctors, and a shortage.
that article makes my stomach drop, it's a tough world. For what it's worth, doctors in the US can work at the quick clinic/emergency clinic/24 hour med clinic without having done a residency and often that's exactly who they use. It's the land of the flunkies. (according to student doctor forums) Isn't that a nice thought?
I didn't know that. Maybe that would explain why the last time I went to one of those places the doctor looked more like a hippie than a physician.
People don't always go to their first match place, people delay to family or pregnancy, etc. So there are generally open slots and then people get into those. It might not be the first choice for either the program or the student, but it works.
My doctor in the U.S. is at an urgent care place currently. He first was my doctor ten years ago at Kaiser Permanente (a much more upscale medical venue) but he has a pretty sharp tongue that I doubt resonates well on customer service surveys (imagine a witty Doc Martin). I've followed him around ever since because he's actually a great doctor and because I actually like him. My doctor in Dominica is a different matter. He has his own solo practice, no medical assistant, no receptionist, and cash only. But he never rushes patients, and it means when he's taking blood pressure, drawing blood, etc., it's an actual physician doing so, which is pretty nice.
In order to become licensed to practice medicine in the US (including at quick clinics), a physician must complete 1-3 years of a residency program (depending on the state). See here for more info: Federation of State Medical Boards
