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What are the big differences between Canadian medical education and American medical education?


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Education wise not too different. I guess US schools are a bit harder, as not all of them are pass/fail curriculum, plus you have to take USMLE exams to study for (extra hassle). It is hard to go to the US and come back to match in Canada for harder specialties, but not too difficult for easier ones (Family med, psych). 

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22 hours ago, Medase said:

Education wise not too different. I guess US schools are a bit harder, as not all of them are pass/fail curriculum, plus you have to take USMLE exams to study for (extra hassle). It is hard to go to the US and come back to match in Canada for harder specialties, but not too difficult for easier ones (Family med, psych). 

Thanks :). Are most Canadian schools pass/fail?

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Same knowledge outcome with very minor cultural differences.

But:

1. Bigger range of quality of school in the US.  Canadian schools are VERY standardized at the mid-to-high quality level by US MD standards.  All Canadian schools produce largely comparable outcomes. The US has objectively lower and elite tier medical schools with worse and better educational experiences as well as ultimate residency and career placement rates.

2.  The USA has the osteopathic (D.O.) stream as well as the allopathic (M.D.).  Canada is all allopathic.  Though the US is harmonizing the two streams, D.O is still somewhat limiting and geared more towards family/community practice (with MANY exceptions). If your goal is matching in Canada D.O.s are considered IMGs, USMDs are not. 

3. Emphasis on grades/test scores in US as mentioned above.  The flip side is the emphasis on 'soft score' evaluations and dumb luck to generate positive references and contacts for residency matching purposes in Canada. In Canada there's no use of grades or scores for determining residency allocation; just references and reputation. I'd argue that there's just as much opportunity to mess up--and far less student level control--in the Canadian system.

In general, going to the US with the intent to match back to Canada is like shooting yourself in the foot compared to attending a Canadian school. Even with less competitive residencies, your choices will be decreased if you go through the US route. Drastically reduced through USDO.

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