Cuban M.D. case

this is a very interesting story that actually resonnates double for me. I have looked into what would be require to pass the BAR exam and practice law in Israel. I am a fully licensed atty here and the process of going there is rediculous, Iwould have to pass two language proficiency exams and then 9 separate two subject exams, all in hebrew. This is after learning their laws.

I am not trying to compare my situation to that of these doctors, just that i am familiar with the idea of being licensed in one country and not being able to be in another.

the issue here is very complicated. on the one hand it is awful to hear about neurosurgeons working at gas stations, on the other, we have medical boards to keep incompetent doctors out of our hospitals. i think the part of this story that really bothers me is the politicization of the process that keep competent medical practitioners out.

there are so many CUban professionals who are relegated to crap jobs here rather than their chosen and trained profession. Just today I dealt with a Cuban electrical engineer who had done the equivalent of a phd on electromagnetism and he currently does freelance work repairing his neighbor's computers?!?! where is the justice there?

i don't know what the solution is, i dont like unlicensed doctors working but i also think it is a tremendous waste and shame to think about the numbers of these medical practitioners doing nothing with their talents.

i think spanish language classes in US medicine are the first place to start...let them first relearn the material and then learn the language.

I agree, LB.
It's a tough situation . I hate to think that we're squandering a resource, especially when it comes to general practioners ( read somewhere that we have a shortfall due to all of the new grads wanting to specialize and get the big $$$'s) . But also recognize a need for some kind of patient protection.

I think you're last paragraph is a common-sense beginning.

My father came to the U.S. in 1967. He was a Cardiovascular Surgeon in Cuba. He worked mostly in Restaurants(Bus boy, Waiter, etc.) until he landed a job in a hotels' Food and Beverage Dept.. After a few years he was one of the heads of Food and Beverage and also studying to get his boards. In 1974, he finally did. He practiced medicine here until his passing in 1996. He also helped many Cuban doctors(that came to the U.S. not speaking the language) to pass their Boards.
Cuba has so many professional because they literally have nothing else to do. It's not like you can pick from a list of jobs(private and government sectors) if you don't get an education.

Thanks..:)

Quote from monster slayer

Cuba has the highest percentage of medical professionals per capita. It is estimated that they have almost 1 doctor for each three citizens

Sorry buddy, but I gotta call you on this one... there's no way in hell that figure is remotely close to reality.

Quote from monster slayer

It´s like saying there is a teacher for each 40 students. A bit exaggerated

Cuba tiene prácticamente el doble de médicos por habitante, respecto a EE.UU.,5.91 médicos por mil habitantes frente a 2.56 doctores por mil, según la OMS.

Accordying to the WHO, Cuba doubles the USA in that sense. 5.91 for 1000 v.s. 2.56 for each 1000 resp.

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Oh well, if there was a doctor for every 3 citizens, they wouldn't need health care... every household would have their own doctor.

I don't know about Medical Doctor but I would bet that there is a Very high % of Doctors and professionals. Almost everyone I meet that comes from Cuba is some kind of MD, engineer, etc..

I don't know about 3-1 ratio but there are many many medical professionals, doctors and nurses, from all walks of life. I can't say whether they're all top notch but of many families I've met at least one member is in the medical field. The education is available to anyone, but they make peanuts once they start working. Unless they're a highly regarded specialist a simple fisherman makes more money. Another down side is that medical professionals once possessing a degree are not allowed to leave Cuba, to legally immigrate to the US for example, until they've worked in the field for a few years thus repaying the debt for their education.

that is an incredible story about your old man....hats off to him, that is the real american dream, has nothing to do with America and everything to do with the amazing people who find their ways to her shores, inspiring.