U.S. Citizens Studying Medicine Abroad

GAO discussed its report on the education of U.S. citizens at foreign medical schools. While the exact number of students is not known, many students who are unable to gain admission to domestic medical schools attend foreign schools, particularly in the Caribbean region, and return to practice medicine in the United States. GAO noted that, while the quality of education offered at foreign schools varied widely, none of the schools visited offered an education comparable to that available in the United States because of deficiencies in admission requirements, facilities and equipment, faculty, curriculum, or clinical training. GAO also noted that: (1) state medical licensing boards have no way of assessing the education and training offered in foreign medical schools in deciding whether a license candidate is qualified; and (2) the Department of Education and the Veterans Administration provide loans to students studying at foreign medical schools.