In this Issue:
- Strong Demand for J-1 Visa Sponsorship Continues, Few Issues with Visa Appointment Scheduling Reported
- ECFMG Medical School Accreditation Requirement Moved to 2024
- ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students, Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19
Strong Demand for J-1 Visa Sponsorship Continues, Few Issues with Visa Appointment Scheduling Reported
ECFMG|FAIMER continues to receive more J-1 visa sponsorship applications (initial and continuation) than in past
years. As of May 12, 2020, there were 2,978 applications for initial J-1 visa sponsorship in process, the highest
number at this point in the year in more than a decade. Once a J-1 visa sponsorship application is complete and all
regulatory requirements are satisfied, ECFMG issues a Form DS-2019, which confirms J-1 sponsorship approval and
permits a prospective J-1 physician to seek a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. More than 9,100
applications for initial and continued sponsorship have been completed and Forms DS-2019 issued. This represents a
7% increase over last year in the total number of sponsorship applications completed by this time.
Reports of issues related to visa appointment scheduling remain low, and ECFMG|FAIMER continues to contact the U.S.
Department of State (DOS) immediately when we do hear of problems. DOS has been extremely proactive in
communicating with consular posts around the globe about the importance of facilitating and supporting foreign
national physicians who have matched to U.S. training programs that begin in summer 2020.
ECFMG Medical School Accreditation Requirement Moved to 2024
ECFMG previously announced that, starting in 2023, applicants for ECFMG Certification will be required to be a
student or graduate of a medical school that is appropriately accredited. More specifically, the medical school must
be accredited by an agency recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). To date, 21 accrediting
agencies have received WFME recognition, with many others in process. We are energized by the commitment to quality
improvement demonstrated in response to this initiative.
At the same time, we recognize that many countries have been forced to suspend or limit their accreditation
efforts due to COVID-19. As such, we are moving the implementation of the requirement to 2024. We will announce an
effective date as we approach 2024; we will also continue to reassess this timeline as needed.
Further information regarding this change will be provided in the coming weeks on our website at www.ecfmg.org/accreditation.
ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students,
Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19
On May 11, the Coalition for Physician Accountability, of which ECFMG|FAIMER is a member, released final reports
from two work groups that examined critical issues facing medical students, residents, medical educators, and
medical regulators during the COVID-19 pandemic. ECFMG|FAIMER strongly endorses the work groups' recommendations.
- Medical Students in the Class of 2021: Moving Across Institutions for Post Graduate Training
The current health care crisis presents new challenges for medical students/graduates, trainees, and U.S. training
programs. This work group considered three major issues in preparation for the 2020-2021 residency cycle during the
COVID-19 pandemic: away rotations, in-person interviews for residency, and the timeline for the Electronic Residency
Application Service® (ERAS®). The recommendations will provide a consistent approach to disruptions caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly reducing unnecessary confusion, stress, and inequity among students, and promoting a
more successful residency selection process for all.
- Maintaining Quality and Safety Standards Amid COVID-19
Read the full announcement and access the reports and recommendations here.
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