USA Pathway

Completion of all USMLE steps, including Step 3, is essential.

In the US, there are two main types of fellowships:

ACGME-Accredited Fellowships:

• These include specialties such as Addiction Medicine, Clinical Informatics, Emergency Medical Services, Toxicology, Paediatric Emergency Medicine (Paeds EM), Sports Medicine, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.

• ACGME-accredited fellowships are generally considered more prestigious and hold higher value.

Non-ACGME-Accredited Fellowships:

• Examples include ultrasound and global emergency medicine.

• These are less formal but still significant in their respective fields.

• Gaining entry into these fellowships typically involves networking or participating in the NRMP Fellowship Match, akin to the American Residency Match.

• Specific fields like Ultrasound and Global Emergency Medicine may require additional registration on specialized portals.

• Predicting success is challenging due to the limited number of FCPS physicians applying to the US.

• Most fellowship programs, both ACGME and non-ACGME, usually demand US board certification in Emergency Medicine.

• Occasionally, exceptions are made, often based on individual circumstances or connections.

While the journey is complex and requires a nuanced understanding of various pathways, persistence and informed decision-making can pave the way to success. Good luck!

• Faysal Subhani
  @FaysalSubhani
  FCPS Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

• Moeed Ahmed
  drmoeedahmed@gmail.com
  Chief Registrar, Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom