What's the difference is between 'Internal Medicine' and 'General Practice?

Best route to practicing Medicine in the US - Europe vs Caribbean?

• My ultimate goal is to practice medicine in the US - Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine both seem like interesting specialties, I won't know more until I get some clinical experience. Oh, and if it makes a difference, I'm Norwegian. Anyways, what is the easiest way for me to get into the US Medical system? As I see it, I have a couple of options. 1) Study Medicine in a European country (Denmark and Hungary are my top contenders. UK/Ireland would've trumped them both, but since Norway is one of the few European countries to not be in the EU (What the hell is wrong with our government?), I'd have to pay around $50,000 a year for the good schools, which I simply do not have. Hungary because I've heard it's very rigorous and you have to learn everything down to the most minor details - Should be good prep for the USMLE Denmark because it's free for Nordic residents, and also a "western" country. Though that might not matter much to people in the US, I don't know. 2) A Bachelor's degree somewhere + Caribbean. With more US clinical practice, and a program tailored to the American system, it might help me more. Primarily, what I'm concerned about, is the conceptions of medical professionals in the US; the people who decide whether or not I get a residency, and after that a fellowship, and after that a permanent job. Which path do y'all think is best? The way I see it: Hungary + Cheap + Rigorous + Only 6 years - Tailored to European medical curriculum - No organized USMLE prep Denmark + Free + Only 6 years + "Western" - Lower academic quality than Hungary (less rigorous) - Tailored to European/Nordic medical curriculum - No organized USMLE prep Caribbean + Tailored to the US system + Organized USMLE prep + Plenty of US clinical experience - Expensive. Very expensive. - Takes more time, since it requires a Bachelor Anything to add? Any comments from US attendings would be worth go.. scratch that, I don't have gold. Lots of e-hugs :)

• Answer:

  In the US, we consider Caribbean schools to be second rate (or worse). You will always be looked down on if you go to one of those schools. Any European school will work, as long as you pass the ECFMG tests: www.ecfmg.org Of course, a US medical school would be preferred, but that's going to be expensive and difficult to get into. Good luck with whatever you choose.