Sacramento, CA – The Guardian Group, LLC, a Med-Legal Exam firm based in California, has embraced an innovative staffing model; it employs foreign-trained medical doctors in support roles. Although these roles are temporary, they offer international doctors a crucial stepping stone toward a career in US medicine. Consequently, this mutually beneficial arrangement leads to high-quality output from highly educated professionals, all eager to gain experience in the US healthcare system.
“We stumbled upon this by chance after posting an ad on Indeed for a traveling Medical Assistant,” said Jason Beck, Director of Business Operations at The Guardian Group. After sifting through over 100 applicants with limited educational backgrounds, Beck discovered a candidate with a medical degree, which inspired the idea to employ international physicians in support roles.
Supporting US Physicians with Medical School Graduates
The Guardian Group provides essential support services for board-certified US physicians who conduct medical-legal evaluations, often to assess permanent disabilities. These services help the company’s doctors save valuable time, enabling them to more effectively balance their demanding treatment practices.
Dr Rene Nevarez, Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Med-Legal Reporting emphasized, “Since our medical evaluators are often highly time-constrained, working 100+ hour weeks, it’s essential for them to have dependable, medically-informed support services. As a result, we’ve transformed our Med-Legal Reports Division into an intellectual and academic think tank composed of future US doctors.”
Enhancing Medical Histories Completed by Licensed Physicians
Another area where The Guardian Group saw room for improvement was in compiling medical histories. Foreign medical doctors like Dr. Veronica Frank and Dr. Nick Bautista have been instrumental in refining the company’s approach to medical history taking. These histories include injury details, job duties, and other essential factors for the evaluation process, allowing the evaluator to maximise their face-to-face time with the patient.
“History taking is simple yet critical,” explained Dr. Bautista, who is preparing for the USMLE Step 2. “It’s not just about asking questions but filtering relevant information for an informed evaluation, particularly in the medical-legal context.” Now, every history is reviewed by one of the company’s foreign doctors, ensuring medical accuracy and relevance.
Pathways to Residency and the Value of Med-Legal Experience
For doctors like Dr. Ralph Andres, a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines, working at The Guardian Group has provided invaluable preparation for US medical practice. “People might brush off simple injuries, but these cases impact patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Andres noted. He further explained that helping clients articulate their medical issues enhances both patient care and report clarity.
Similarly, Henok Fekadu, MD, trained in Eritrea, observed, “As an Eritrean physician applying for medical residency in the US, I recognize the importance of effective communication as the cornerstone of achievement. At Guardian, we work relentlessly to enhance every part of the process.”
A Growing Alumni Network of Foreign Doctors
The Guardian Group currently employs eight foreign medical school graduates, each of whom aspires to secure a US residency. Through this work, they gain exposure to the US healthcare system and connect with board-certified physicians, providing invaluable mentoring and networking opportunities. The company celebrates its alumni’s successes, with Dr. Veronica Frank beginning her US residency in May and Dr. Andres recently interviewing for his first residency in October.
Overall, this unique model enables The Guardian Group to support US physicians and foster the career growth of foreign medical graduates, effectively bridging their path to fulfilling American medical aspirations.
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