ECFMG Acculturation Program
IMG Advisors Network (IAN)
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Background
ECFMG has developed a series of initiatives for international medical graduates (IMGs) who plan to come to the United States for graduate medical education (GME). These initiatives are designed to facilitate the transition for these IMGs into U.S. medicine and culture.
These efforts respond to the growing recognition that, even though many IMGs arrive with excellent prior medical education and fluency in English, there are still many issues that are confusing and unclear. The U.S. health care system and the institutions where IMGs train may be organized and operate very differently from those with which they are familiar. They must learn to live and work in the United States and adjust to differences in language and culture. This transition can be quite stressful not only for the physician but for family members as well when they accompany the IMG.
Most IMGs do make the necessary transitions and eventually become comfortable working in U.S. hospitals and clinics and living in the United States. However, ECFMG’s discussions with focus groups of IMGs indicate that this transition could be facilitated by:
- Advice from other IMGs who have entered U.S. training programs and can provide very practical and useful answers to questions and concerns on a wide range of topics.
- Access to this advice and other acculturation resources before leaving the home country, where these resources may be limited, and before the demands and challenges of the new training program begin.
To accomplish this, ECFMG developed the IMG Advisors Network
IMG Advisors Network
The IMG Advisors Network (IAN) is a free service that allows qualifying IMGs who plan to come to the United States from other countries to connect with advisors who can answer questions about living and working in the United States. To use this service to obtain advice, you must meet the qualifications of advisees. There are also qualifications for advisors, which include being in or having completed an ACGME-accredited training program in the United States.
IAN Advisors serve on a volunteer basis. The IAN database lists available advisors by name, medical specialty, U.S. GME institution, location in the United States, country of medical education, medical school, and other demographics. The IMGs using this service will be able to select an advisor based on these criteria. Once an advisor has been selected, the e-mail address of the IMG seeking advice will be provided to the advisor, who can then begin communicating directly with the advisee. ECFMG is actively recruiting IMGs to serve as advisors; refer to Information for Potential Advisors.
The communications between advisors and advisees are direct, rather than through ECFMG. However, there is an option to copy ECFMG on any particular e-mail, if the advisor or advisee chooses to do so. The purpose for this is simply to allow those of us working on this program to see what kinds of issues are being raised and to use that information to develop more and better resources to assist IMGs throughout the acculturation process. There will be no response from ECFMG to such “cc:s”. If you choose not to copy ECFMG, correspondence between advisor and advisee will not be visible to or monitored by ECFMG.
Nature of Advice
Applicants participating as advisees in the IAN program have access to information and advice from both IAN Advisors and from ECFMG staff with expertise in critical areas.
Applying to U.S. GME Positions
- ECFMG is a resource for IMGs on the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERASŪ) and can provide direction to IMGs using ERAS to apply for positions in U.S. GME programs. IAN Advisees have special telephone and e-mail access to the staff of ERAS Support Services at ECFMG. In addition to assistance with the process, staff of ERAS Support Services at ECFMG can provide general information on the policies and procedures that relate to certain elements of the ERAS residency application, such as letters of recommendation and personal statements; provide general information on the National Resident Matching Service (NRMP) or the Match; and direct IMGs to resources provided by other organizations.
- IAN Advisors can provide additional advice and information on applying to U.S. GME positions based on their personal experience. They may also be able to provide advice regarding selection of medical specialties and programs, application strategies, and pursuing GME positions outside of the Match.
Obtaining a Visa for U.S. GME
- ECFMG, as the sole J-1 visa sponsor for foreign national physicians in U.S. clinical training programs, offers the most complete and accurate information on using the J-1 visa to participate in U.S. GME. ECFMG’s Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program (EVSP) website is an excellent source of information on this topic. ECFMG’s EVSP staff can also answer questions on the J-1 visa and provide general information on other visa options, such as the H-1B visa, and other immigration issues related to entry into U.S. GME.
- IAN Advisors may be able to provide additional general information on obtaining a visa for U.S. GME based on their personal experience, including how different visa options relate to program selection and future career planning.
Beyond Entry into U.S. GME
- IAN Advisors may also be a good source of advice and guidance on training and career issues beyond residency, such as pursuit of subspecialty fellowships.
Practical Issues
Perhaps the most unique and personalized information and advice that IAN Advisors provide relate to actually coming to and beginning U.S. GME programs and living and working in the United States. These issues typically have included:
- Bringing spouses or family right away versus having them come after getting settled
- When to arrive
- Where to find lodging
- Where to find ethnic restaurants and grocery stores
- Where to find houses of worship
- Setting up personal finances – bank accounts, credit cards, Social Security Numbers
- Advisability of buying an automobile; getting a driver’s license
- What to pack – kinds and amount of clothes, personal effects
- Spouses and children – employment opportunities, child care, schools
- Support groups – people from the same country or ethnic groups
- What to expect as far as work and call schedules, time off, vacations
- Recreational resources
- U.S. culture – books, TV shows, movies, music, sports
- Language – idioms, jargon, abbreviations (ECFMG is developing and making available materials in these areas)
- Unique features or characteristics of the program or the area in which it is located
IAN Advisors are not authorized to provide advice on the following topics:
- ECFMG Certification. The policies and procedures related to ECFMG Certification are complex and subject to change. Advisees should refer to the ECFMG website or contact ECFMG’s Applicant Information Services at info@ecfmg.org or (215) 386-5900.
- ECFMG’s Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program (EVSP). The requirements for ECFMG J-1 visa sponsorship and related federal regulations are complex. Advisees should refer to ECFMG’s EVSP website or contact EVSP staff at (215) 823-2121. Advisors may comment on other visa options for participation in U.S. GME, however, ECFMG discourages advisors from providing specific immigration counseling.
- Details about the USMLE examinations, including USMLE Step 3. Although advisors can provide advice regarding preparation for the USMLE examinations, they must never disclose examination content. Examination content includes, but may not be limited to, questions, case content, and answers. Advisors giving such information and advisees receiving such information are at risk of sanction for irregular behavior and could have their USMLE and/or ECFMG records permanently annotated and be subject to bars from future examinations.
- Specific Program Requirements. Advisors must defer to program directors or administrative personnel of the individual teaching hospitals regarding internal policies and guidelines.
How to Participate
For eligibility and information on participating as an advisee or advisor, follow the appropriate link, below.
Learn more about becoming an advisee >> | Learn more about becoming an advisor >>
