List for electives/observerships

Last updated on 21st June 2015

I have no idea whether the list still holds good or no.

But during my search for electives in addition to umar tariq and electives.us the following lists come in handy.

Note : Links below open in a new window- On the top right corner of the new window click the Skip Ad and then you get the list. (Google Drive)

1. List 1
2. List 2
3. Observership opportunities  - Post from Facebook actually
4. Compilation - Some great people put together a HUGE list
5. Harshal Awasthi - Really great tips for applying
6. Dinesh Vinayak J- Good tips for new observers 

NOTE- Some people have contacted me saying that the links do not open. Do try the following.

• Check that the pop up blocker is turned off since the links open in a new tab/window.
• Add https:// before the web address
• Use a laptop or computer if does not work in your phone
• Ad blocker is turned off at least till you download the files

P.S.

• If you are the owner of the list or need me to take it down would gladly do so should you contact me. 
• Please add in the comments section if there is any mistake or additions that should be done.
• This is not the MOST updated list. Recommend mailing (emailing) the colleges to check if there are spots available.
• Kindly apply for electives spots towards the end of the year or in the beginning since there are higher chances to get opportunities then.
• Lastly no matter how bleak your chances are DO NOT GIVE UP!
• Do share the post if it helped you.
• Best of luck!!

Few tips while going for an elective!

Beginning of your big day

Day 1 

1. As you arrive at the hospital have a big smile on your face.
2. Meet the program coordinator and thank her for the opportunity.
3. She will help you in getting your daily routine schedule, ID and access to the computers along with EMR (Electronic Medical Records). Do it as soon as possible since you will be lost without it.
4. You will be taken to meet the residents and fellows who generally are very sweet and welcoming.
5. Introduce yorself to them and keep smiling
6. Try to remember all of their names. If you miss out on a few, try sneaking a look at their ID badges. 
7. Try asking the Residents/ other students who have been in the rotation earlier than you for the routine schedule, the Attending on service and try building a rapport. Also find out what time are you supposed to come in the morning  the next day.

Day 2- : Your routine day begins.  

• Dress yourself professionally. 
• Wear the apron.
• Try to be in the hospital before the residents come and read up on the cases via the EMR.
• You can go with one resident while he is pre-rounding on his/her patients and see how they talk and examine a patient. It is very useful and at the same time you learn new tips and tricks.
• You can also build a good rapport with the nursing staff. Some of my nursing staff were decent enough teach me a few tricks which I do not think even the residents knew. 
• Say good morning to everyone you meet. Talk to everyone. You feel happy and so do they.

Regarding asking for a Letter Of recommendation.

This is the most crucial part at the end of your elective. I found the following tips useful

• Prepare yourself well.
• Get an appointment with the Attending whom you have a good rapport and have worked for a substantial amount of time
• Look good and confident
• Meet him/her in the office.
• Have a copy of your resume and personal statement in hand

  

What to talk during the meeting for LOR-

• Don't talk about the LOR at first. (I almost made this mistake)
• Talk once again regarding your background and how you enjoyed the elective.
• Talk about what all things you learnt during this elective.
• Thank him/her for teaching you all these days.
• Talk about the resident, fellows whom you worked with.
• Strongly ask for guidance / suggestions from the attending in all your future plans.
• Lastly ask if he WOULD BE COMFORTABLE writing you a STRONG LETTER OF Recommendation as you are planning on residency in the States. If he says yes without blinking then you can be rest assured you will get a decently written LOR but if there is hesitance, you might as well not ask again.

FINAL DAY:  

1. Try to meet everyone you worked with.
2. Thank them for the opportunities you had and tell them how you enjoyed being there.
3. Get their mail or Facebook ID’s to be in touch with them later.

Edited from the original post here

Documents needed for electives

Since I had a big problem regarding the documents needed for electives, thought should make a quick short list for them.

Things from the college

• Medical Transcript 
• Clinical clerkship certificate 
• No objection certificate
• Primary language taught in the college for Medicine was English
• Can try getting a conduct certificate

Things to be done by self

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Personal statement (at least a rough copy)

Other documents

• LOR from the Dean or a person held in high regard (Should be a good one)
• Background clearance- This has to be done through the police. Would take minimum of a 5 days to a month, so take that into account.
• Malpractice insurance - IMG liability[ http://www.imgliability.com/buy/ ](cheapest and fastest) - This is the most expensive part after the money spent for your immunization tests. I have also listed towards the end of this post the other sites that you can use. (You can enter my name 'Neil Dominic Fernandes' or my email id neilnf@gmail.com in the "How you heard about us field" while getting a quote for the insurance and get an additional discount of $20.)
  P.S.- I get that as an amazon gift card with you getting the discount. Win-win situation IMHO :P
• Medical insurance- Bajaj Allianz (cheapest). 
• Recommend reading this post for understanding the concepts - http://electives.us/malprachealthins.html 

For the vaccination aspect

1. Letter stating that you have been vaccinated for Hepatitis B or Hep B titers- recommend titers
2. Letter stating that you have been vaccinated for Varicella or Varicella titers or a letter stating that you had chicken pox when you were a kid - Recommend letter stating you immunized.
3. For Tuberculosis - Monteux test. This will be most likely positive. Recommend getting a chest X-ray showing that you are TB negative. However, if to your misfortune, it is positive you will need to start the treatment.
4. Letter stating that you have been vaccinated for MMR or their titers
5. Letter stating that you have been vaccinated for DT or their titers
6. Flu shot if you going during the year end (so called flu season)

The cost for all the above vaccinations, comes to around 5k. Max. This is the information I got from my friends and seniors. Preferably get all the reports within a year prior to apply for the electives or you would have to repeat it, incurring additional costs. This is all I can remember now for the vaccination aspect. 

I would recommend checking each college's individual requirements, since the above documents are the ones I had, but note that the list is not limited to this only. Do check elective.us and umartariq which are really helpful sites. Above all, talk to your seniors and ask them for advice, since they know what problems you would face and will help you troubleshoot them, at least mine did.