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Writer's pictureMilos Starovic MD

How to assess a physician's competence ?

Updated: Aug 16

An important question to consider is how you can determine if your doctor is truly skilled and competent. Being knowledgeable from books doesn’t always equate to practical expertise or strong clinical instincts. However, a doctor's medical performance, specialized training, and standardized testing results can offer valuable insights into their competence.


Allow me to share a bit about my background. In 2006, my colleague Enis Mundzic and I graduated at the top of our medical school class. Today, I practice as a specialist in New York City, while Dr. Mundzic is a specialist in London, UK. To practice medicine in the United States, one must graduate from medical school and pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), a highly standardized test taken by over 20,000 graduates each year, both from U.S. medical schools and international institutions. Your performance on this exam is ranked among your peers.


Here is my ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification, which verifies that I met all the necessary requirements to specialize in the U.S., specifically in New York. My test scores speak to my abilities: I achieved a 99th percentile ranking in both Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE. This means I performed better than 19,800 out of 20,000 test-takers worldwide, placing me in the top 200. 

So, how does an international medical graduate secure a position in New York? It’s simple: exceptional test scores make you a highly sought-after candidate. But beyond test results, performance in specialized training is crucial. I was recognized as Resident of the Month early in my internship and later served as Chief Resident in my specialty program. I also completed fellowships at prestigious institutions such as NYU and Columbia.


With 15 years of clinical experience, I am confident in my ability to provide exceptional care. My commitment to making a difference and helping each patient I work with remains at the core of my practice.

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