Should You Go to a Caribbean Medical School

The short answer is yes if you have the brains, guts, money and burning desire to become a physician. The more realistic answer is maybe. These schools, although labeled as "universities" are really privately owned schools whose first goal is to make money; however, and this is the good news, they cannot make money unless they offer an adequate or even superior program. And once you are through the preclinicals (usually taught on the island in question) and the clinicals (usually in the
States or England), and once you have passed the formidable exam (ECFMG), you are home free in many ways. Physicians are judged more on where they did their internship and residency than where they went to school. And several of the Caribbean Schools have a reputation for producing fine students.

The site on Caribbean schools below is loaded with useful information. Not included in the site in St Matthews (whose parent corporation recently bought Saba University). Why go to an off-shore school? They are easier to get into, theoretically lower in cost (beware hidden costs) and only have one purpose - to make you a doctor.

Also remember, the Caribbean is a completely different culture from ours - usually pleasant and adaptable. But you are a visitor on these islands. And summer is HOT, hurricanes happen and occasional volcanoes erupt. As a personal testament, I only have fond memories of the Caribbean and the people who live there. The most important phase, to repeat, is that you are a visitor on islands whose populations in the past have often been mistreated by cane growers. However, with proper respect and an adventurous spirit and taking the time to visit other islands, it may be one of the highlights of your life.

Personally, I have taught at several schools and noticed both good and not so good changes over time. When I taught on Montserrat in the 80s, the primary teaching tool was chalk and black board with a Socratic method. Now with the extreme emphasis on the PowerPoint has distinct advantages as it is available to study; it has distinct disadvantages as it does not teach one how to think or acquire the art of becoming a physician. For better or worse it is now deeply embedded in the culture of these schools.

I found it slightly disheartening that everything was taught to a megatest. Being a good physician requires more than passing a test. If you can get into a US school, by all means do so, but the off shore schools offer a viable advantage. I am proud of the career path of many of my students. The fact that they went to a Caribbean school has not impeded their career.

As a final note, somewhat discouraging, many American physicians are discouraged by their profession - too much, way too much, paperwork. So make sure this is your life dream.

Good luck