I have a high school classmate in the Philippines who managed to become a Pediatrician in 2011 (I think). I graduated from university in 2003 and she continued her long studies and training till 2010! I don't think I'd be able to do that. Good thing her parents can afford the costs of it all. She now has her own clinic because I believe it would earn her more income than working in the hospitals there in Manila.

I can imagine how long your wife Joe had to have all the training and studying just to be qualified here in the UK, knowing she already was practising in the Philippines before getting here, if I'm not mistaken.