Can a U.S. physician practice in Spain?

[cdheiner]

First of all, I'm new to this forum, and would like to say ¡hola! to everyone. I've been listening to the Notes in Spanish podcasts for some time now, and they have helped to rekindle a life-long dream of mine to live in Spain for a few years (or more?). I lived in Ecuador for two years during college, and absolutely loved it. Now I would love to try out Spain.

Here's my question: I'm a US-trained physician, and have no idea if it is feasible or even possible for me to practice medicine in Spain. Does anyone have experience with this, or know somebody else who has?

Thanks ... CODY

[Ben]

Hi Cody, and welcome. To be honest I have no idea about this, but I will see if I can find someone that does. - Ben

[sean4]

First of all, I'm new to this forum, and would like to say ¡hola! to everyone. I've been listening to the Notes in Spanish podcasts for some time now, and they have helped to rekindle a life-long dream of mine to live in Spain for a few years (or more?). I lived in Ecuador for two years during college, and absolutely loved it. Now I would love to try out Spain.

Here's my question: I'm a US-trained physician, and have no idea if it is feasible or even possible for me to practice medicine in Spain. Does anyone have experience with this, or know somebody else who has?

Thanks ... CODY

It might be helpful to know what type of training you have. MD, DO, PA, RN, etc. + specialization.

I know for a fact that the last time a DO requested (1994) they were denied from practicing medicine as well as manipulation (as opposed to France where they are limited to manipulation and in Germany where they have an unlimited scope ).

If I recall correctly, there are American trained MDs in Madrid. You should be able to get information on how to contact them through the AMA or the US Embassy in Madrid.

[cdheiner]

It might be helpful to know what type of training you have. MD, DO, PA, RN, etc. + specialization.

Good point - I am an MD, and my speciaty is Occupational Medicine, although I could probably practice general primary care, preventive medicine, or public health.

Thank you for your reply and ideas ... CODY

[sean4]

Good point - I am an MD, and my speciaty is Occupational Medicine, although I could probably practice general primary care, preventive medicine, or public health.

Thank you for your reply and ideas ... CODY

You're welcome! Aside from the ideas that I posted earlier, here is some information that might be of interest to you.

Spanish Consejo General de Colegios Medicos
Villaneuva 114
E-28001 Madrid SPAIN
http://www.cgcom.org/
Phone: +34914317780

I hope you have all those loans paid off! Physicians here don't get paid near as much as they do in the US. I don't have any figures to back this up, but I know that most students leaving medical school here don't have any sort of comparable debt because university is cheap here.

[cdheiner]

Thanks all for your input. It's been helpful to get my research started.

Now, does anyone in the forum have personal experience with getting titles (medical or others) homologado to practice in Spain?

Alternatively, are there American physicians or American medical centers where I could find someone who has been through the process? I'm really wondering how long it takes, and have heard anything between 1 and 7 years :confused: .

Gracias ... CODY

[NIeves]

Hola cdheiner

Pues mira, te tengo un consejo

para saber si puedes ejercer tu profesion en España intenta informarte en NARIC España (metelo en google) o en la pagina web www.educ.mec.es (http://www.educ.mec.es)


Try to find your information in NARIC España or www.educ.mec.es (http://www.educ.mec.es)

[Mano]

Hi Cdheiner,

Great Question!;-) I am looking for the exact same information, do you mind telling me what you found or where I should look?

Thanks,

Mano