Post by Admin on May 9, 2014 2:53:56 GMT -5
What is an Observership?
It is a hands off clinical rotation when the international medical graduate ( IMG ) observes the American medical system. During the observership, the graduate is allowed to observe the clinical setting and encounter between physicians and patients without dealing directly with the patient. It usually requires a mentor who is responsible and supervisor to the observer.
What is an externship?
It's when the international graduates have a hands on clinical experience. During the externship, the graduate is allowed to take history, do a physical exam and write a patient note. In most places you will have to get malpractice insurance which costs around 400$ for one month. Externship opportunities are rare but they are very rewarding.
Who can apply for Observership and/or externship and when ?
Medical graduates can apply for observership programs, it is not for students (electives is applicable for students)
Application process - Simple non-detailed steps
To apply for Observerships it is usually one of these three routs :
1- Send e-mails to American doctors for the possibility of shadowing them.
2- Apply for Observership programs through a University Hospitals like Cleveland Clinic Observership program.
3- Apply for an Observership program run by an medical Association or scientific society in the US.
The required documents are - it differs from one instituation to another - :
1- CV
2- Application form
3- Personal statement
4- Letters of recommendation LORs
5- Diploma or any document indicating graduation status of the applicant
6- Health Insurance
7- Malpractice Insurance
8- Medical school Transcript
9- Immunization form
10- Visa for observership usually B1/B2 visa is acceptable
Benefits of Observership/Extership?
-Gain US Clinical Experience (USCE) improves the chance of matching
-Obtain letters of recommendation
-Build connections
-Improve spoken English
-Can open the door for research fellowships
-Training for the USMLE Clinical skills exam
How to apply for observerships
Many ways have been proposed for applying to Observerships and none of them is the "Right" or "Wrong" way, they're all just different ways. The reason that would make you use one way rather than the other is your personal situation.
First method:
The way used by many candidates (which is low yielding yet easy and applicable to everyone) is to log on to University websites and through the faculty listings (different in location from one website to the other) get the emails of different faculty (especially those working in your field of interest ). Choose Professors, Assistant professors, Attendings, and anyone on the faculty listing, not just the program director or old professors.
Send them an email saying the following in whatever format you choose
Dr. Smith (his/her last name)
I am a medical graduate from (.....) University, (Country) (change accordingly) and currently I'm.......... (Mention your current position if you are a resident or faculty in your country).
I was interested in an observership opportunity in your department to expand my medical experience and scientific knowledge. Granted your approval, I assure you complete professional behavior and a commitment to uphold patient privacy, confidentiality and safety.
I can provide my own funding.
I can forward you my complete CV upon request.
Thank you for your time and I'm looking forward to reading from you.
Warmest Regards,
ABC, MB ChB
Cell phone (if in the US)
Mention your USMLEs and any USCE if you have.
Other people also attach their CV or letters of recommendation to that email, better not to do that. Some university emails might consider an email with an attachment like that as junk mail.
Try to make your email short and to the point as they get hundreds of these emails every month.
Then put all this in one paragraph and send it to each professor separately with his/her last name. Do not send mass emails with the same information, cause individualizing these emails will make them feel you sat down and took your time to write this email and look at that professors CV and work (so please do and take the time). Before you send that email make sure someone that knows how to speak English WELL took a look at that email and told you it's ok.
You have to send at least 500 emails and wait few weeks before you say that this way isn't working for you and that you tried. If you do get a reply then answer immediately
Second method:
If you have any contacts in your country that know someone doing medicine in the US, or you directly know someone in the US then they can help you out in making your application go through more effectively, and VERY rarely they can actually get you an Observership position. So use any contact that KNOWS you well to help you in applying, but don't send to people who hardly know you telling them : Can you help me in getting an Observership “cause they probably won't''. Use this method very carefully as not everyone in the US can help you get an Observership position.
Third method:
If you are currently doing Research you can ask your preceptor to help observe him/her in the Clinic or operating room (if surgery).
Fourth method:
Some Universities and organization have a certain application for Observerships (like Cleveland clinic) which you usually find out from people doing Observerships there, and sometimes from their websites.
More methods:
There are many more methods like going in a US university or institute and directly speaking to Faculty there about the availability of such positions.
It is a hands off clinical rotation when the international medical graduate ( IMG ) observes the American medical system. During the observership, the graduate is allowed to observe the clinical setting and encounter between physicians and patients without dealing directly with the patient. It usually requires a mentor who is responsible and supervisor to the observer.
What is an externship?
It's when the international graduates have a hands on clinical experience. During the externship, the graduate is allowed to take history, do a physical exam and write a patient note. In most places you will have to get malpractice insurance which costs around 400$ for one month. Externship opportunities are rare but they are very rewarding.
Who can apply for Observership and/or externship and when ?
Medical graduates can apply for observership programs, it is not for students (electives is applicable for students)
Application process - Simple non-detailed steps
To apply for Observerships it is usually one of these three routs :
1- Send e-mails to American doctors for the possibility of shadowing them.
2- Apply for Observership programs through a University Hospitals like Cleveland Clinic Observership program.
3- Apply for an Observership program run by an medical Association or scientific society in the US.
The required documents are - it differs from one instituation to another - :
1- CV
2- Application form
3- Personal statement
4- Letters of recommendation LORs
5- Diploma or any document indicating graduation status of the applicant
6- Health Insurance
7- Malpractice Insurance
8- Medical school Transcript
9- Immunization form
10- Visa for observership usually B1/B2 visa is acceptable
Benefits of Observership/Extership?
-Gain US Clinical Experience (USCE) improves the chance of matching
-Obtain letters of recommendation
-Build connections
-Improve spoken English
-Can open the door for research fellowships
-Training for the USMLE Clinical skills exam
How to apply for observerships
Many ways have been proposed for applying to Observerships and none of them is the "Right" or "Wrong" way, they're all just different ways. The reason that would make you use one way rather than the other is your personal situation.
First method:
The way used by many candidates (which is low yielding yet easy and applicable to everyone) is to log on to University websites and through the faculty listings (different in location from one website to the other) get the emails of different faculty (especially those working in your field of interest ). Choose Professors, Assistant professors, Attendings, and anyone on the faculty listing, not just the program director or old professors.
Send them an email saying the following in whatever format you choose
Dr. Smith (his/her last name)
I am a medical graduate from (.....) University, (Country) (change accordingly) and currently I'm.......... (Mention your current position if you are a resident or faculty in your country).
I was interested in an observership opportunity in your department to expand my medical experience and scientific knowledge. Granted your approval, I assure you complete professional behavior and a commitment to uphold patient privacy, confidentiality and safety.
I can provide my own funding.
I can forward you my complete CV upon request.
Thank you for your time and I'm looking forward to reading from you.
Warmest Regards,
ABC, MB ChB
Cell phone (if in the US)
Mention your USMLEs and any USCE if you have.
Other people also attach their CV or letters of recommendation to that email, better not to do that. Some university emails might consider an email with an attachment like that as junk mail.
Try to make your email short and to the point as they get hundreds of these emails every month.
Then put all this in one paragraph and send it to each professor separately with his/her last name. Do not send mass emails with the same information, cause individualizing these emails will make them feel you sat down and took your time to write this email and look at that professors CV and work (so please do and take the time). Before you send that email make sure someone that knows how to speak English WELL took a look at that email and told you it's ok.
You have to send at least 500 emails and wait few weeks before you say that this way isn't working for you and that you tried. If you do get a reply then answer immediately
Second method:
If you have any contacts in your country that know someone doing medicine in the US, or you directly know someone in the US then they can help you out in making your application go through more effectively, and VERY rarely they can actually get you an Observership position. So use any contact that KNOWS you well to help you in applying, but don't send to people who hardly know you telling them : Can you help me in getting an Observership “cause they probably won't''. Use this method very carefully as not everyone in the US can help you get an Observership position.
Third method:
If you are currently doing Research you can ask your preceptor to help observe him/her in the Clinic or operating room (if surgery).
Fourth method:
Some Universities and organization have a certain application for Observerships (like Cleveland clinic) which you usually find out from people doing Observerships there, and sometimes from their websites.
More methods:
There are many more methods like going in a US university or institute and directly speaking to Faculty there about the availability of such positions.