Recently, an Indian doctor who passed the PLAB exam shared his experiences and struggles in practicing medicine in the UK. An Indian doctor who recently went on to pass the Professional and LinguisticAssessments Board (PLAB) exams candidly posted on the Reddit forum about his reason for leaving the UK.
Like many IMGs, he had moved to the UK for better professional opportunities and a better quality of life. However, the ground realities of the UK‘s healthcare system and living costs quickly doused these hopes.
Challenges Within the NHS
The doctor shed light on the heavy conditions that junior doctors, in the NHS, went through, such as heavy hours and low pay. “Junior doctors work such long hours for salaries just about covering living expenses,” he wrote, underlining continuous pressure and lack of systemic support.
Junior doctors earn an average of £2,300 per month. With high rents ranging from £1,000 to £1,500, utilities, and daily expenses, there is hardly any financial breathing space. Added to this was the struggle of navigating a stretched healthcare system, which made the doctor question his career choice.
The Decision to Return to India
The doctor ultimately decided to return to India because he found better professional growth, financial stability, and personal satisfaction. India offered better housing, accessible private health care, and lower daily costs compared to the UK. “In the UK, life often felt like a grind with no clear path forward,” he explained. “Returning to India allowed me to regain a sense of balance and financial freedom.”
Recommendation to Future International Physicians
In his concluding note, the doctor warned others considering their move to the UK as follows: “While UK offers valuable exposure and experience, it‘s essential to be aware of financial and personal sacrifices.”
Reactions of the Community
It hit the right chord among many readers, as they went into discussions with their medical professional friends. “I left the UK after 20 days,“ commented one, referring to a similar plight. “I cleared PLAB and worked at Oxford University Hospital, one of the best in the UK, but eventually returned to India. Here, I have stability, proximity to family, and a clearer future,” they wrote.
This trend is, therefore, a reminder that potential IMGs need to balance the realities of working abroad against their long-term goals.
