Succeed in family medicine residency as an IMG

Residency is an opportunity to develop your clinical skills, build professional relationships and prepare for a career in family medicine.

As an international medical graduate, you may bring valuable clinical experience and perspectives while also learning new approaches to patient care and graduate medical education in the United States.

The AAFP offers resources to support you throughout your training.

Family medicine residency provides experience caring for patients across the lifespan and managing a broad range of health concerns.

Explore AAFP resident resources for educational opportunities, tools and support during training.

Mentors can help you navigate residency expectations, explore career opportunities and develop confidence as a family physician.

Consider connecting with faculty, senior residents and peers who can share their experiences and perspectives.

You can also explore opportunities to connect with the broader family medicine community through the AAFP.

Understanding how your residency program approaches feedback, assessment and supervision can help you make the most of your training.

Regular conversations with your mentors and faculty can help you identify goals and track your progress.

Residency can be demanding, particularly when you're also adjusting to a new community or support system.

Make use of your program's wellness resources, connect with colleagues and seek support when needed.

The AAFP's resident well-being resources can help you find additional information and professional support.

As residency progresses, begin exploring career options, professional interests and any requirements that may affect your transition into practice.