Author name: IMG Secrets

There are two ways anesthesiologists can practice as anesthesiologists in the USA without a US residency. Visiting Professors – International physician anesthesiologists visiting the USA for a short time are limited to a hospital. They are not the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) board-certified. Alternate Entry Path Program for Primary Certification – This is an official pathway by the American Board of Anesthesiology and as the name says is a pathway for certification in the USA without a USA residency. I will break down each and every step to help you understand this alternate entry path program clearly. I have extensive experience in this topic and have seen colleagues doing it. Let’s jump to find out more. I will limit this post to the Alternate Entry Path Program for Primary Certification in Anesthesiology. Click here to find out if you qualify for Alternate Entry Path What is Alternate Pathway for Primary Certification? The Alternate Pathway for Primary Certification by the American Board of Anesthesiology is a pathway for International Medical Graduates to become board certified and be productive members of the USA anesthesiology system. I will quote this verbatim from the ABA Website. “The Alternate Entry Path (AEP) program allows international medical graduates who are certified by the national anesthesiology organization in the country where they trained and practicing anesthesiology in the U.S. to qualify for entrance into our exam system for primary certification in anesthesiology. A record of documented achievement in teaching and/or scholarship, rather than the potential for future success, is critical to acceptance into the AEP program, as is the ability of the sponsoring department to provide an outstanding academic environment.”   What are the requirements for the Alternate Entry Path (AEP) Program? There are two things here: First, be anesthesiology certified in your home country or any other country Have clinical experience in USA or Canada I will explain this in detail below. Anesthesiology Certified in Home Country: This is any country outside the USA. Typically this is your how country or any other country where you can be certified. Let me give you an example. If you are from India, you should have completed anesthesia residency in India or from any other country outside India except the US. This could be the UK, Singapore, Australia, etc., or any others. 2. Anesthesia Experience in the USA: This can be through the following paths in USA and Canada. To my knowledge, experience in Canada has to be clinical. Who is eligible for the Alternate Entry Path Program? Recently American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) had a press release expanding the AEP program to two different pathways. The ABA has a limit of 4 candidates per hospital/university at any given time. Many years ago, the AEP program had only research experience-based and had a limit of 2 candidates. To me, it appears that the program has been successful and so it has expanded.   What are the two pathways for the Alternate Entry Path Program? Clinician Educator Pathway Candidates trained from the following countries are eligible for this Australia & New Zealand Canada Europe Ireland Singapore South Africa United Kingdom If a candidate is from a different home country other than the above but trains here, they are still eligible for entry into the Clinician Educator pathway. I will give you an example. If someone’s home country is let’s say India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. and they do anesthesia certification from Canada, Europe, Ireland, or any other country mentioned above, are eligible for this pathway. According to ABA, these countries have training that is similar to the training in the USA.   2. Research and Fellowship Pathway Candidates from any country are eligible for this. I will explain these two pathways in detail below.   How do the two alternate entry path program pathways compare? I have put this in a table format. You can see the similarities and differences. Any questions or if something has to be changed, reach me out at drrajeeviyer@gmail.com Where to apply for the alternate entry path program? The alternate entry path program is offered in universities or hospitals that have an ACGME accredited anesthesiology residency or fellowship or both. This is critical because if there are ACGME accredited programs, that particular university of the hospital will have the necessary infrastructure to satisfy the high standards required by the American Board of Anesthesiology which certifies physician anesthesiologists. This is done through a rigorous training process followed by written and oral anesthesia boards. You can find these programs by looking into the American Society of Anesthesiologists residency information by State https://www.asahq.org/education-and-career/asa-resident-component/residency-information-by-state. This is a comprehensive list of places with ACGME accredited training that can potentially offer this pathway. If you can find a program that has candidates in the alternate entry path program either now or in the past you are in luck!   How to apply to the alternate entry path program? You should apply to the chair or head of the department of anesthesia asking them if they can support you as a candidate for the alternate entry path program. You should specify the achievements you have done in your CV and how you qualify for the program. Highlight how you can bring academic or teaching excellence into the USA from outside. What are the steps in the alternate entry path program? I have summarized the steps below. Apply to the program Interview Selected – Congratulations Submit the 4-year plan to the ABA with the support of the Department Chair ABA accepts the plan – Congratulations. I want to warn you that there is a high likelihood of rejection since the requirements are set at very high standards. Start the program practicing as a faculty or clinical fellow or research fellow or a combination of these. My experience has been working as a faculty and this will depend on the CV. Semi-annual and annual reviews In-training examinations Successful completion of 4 years Anesthesia Written Boards Anesthesia Oral Boards Board Certified Anesthesiologist –