What is the difference between a rotation, observership or externship?
Rotations aka clinical rotations are usually a part of your medical education. A rotation is a clinical learning experience that lasts 4 weeks to 12 weeks on average. This could be a core rotation or an elective rotation. Usually provided by your medical school if you are a caribbean medical student. If you are a graduate you may best qualify for an observership or externship.
Observership refers to shadowing-only rotations, no direct patient-care, no direct patient interaction and no hands on clinical training is involved in Observer-ship. It is a great way to network and fill gaps in your educational lifecycle. To learn more click here.
Externships are clinical experiences not directly provided by the applicant’s medical school but could be hands on training.
Acting internships are also known as sub-internships. Most US students complete at least one or two of these. Typically granted to final year medical students even non-American graduates. You typically have to look for these on your own. Tip: talk to your alumni and others who have obtained these to tell you how they did it.
How do I find these opportunities?
There are free and paid options. Free options require more work on your end. Paid options cost more money. I will share options I affiliated with.
What is the goal of pursuing either one of these opportunities?
To obtain a requirement for SOME residency programs i.e. USCe (United States Clinical Experience)
To obtain letters of recommendation
To network and meet potential mentors.
How do I find free options?
You can find free options (note these are not always guaranteed and the list below doesnt provide an endorsement) by:
Google searches
speaking with alumni at your school who have been granted such opportunities
A list of opportunities on my blog can be found here
American Medical Association list can be found here
How do I find paid options?
I endorse AMO and I am affiliated with them, so here is how you can find opportunities with them.
1. Go to the link here above and sign up for a FREE account
2. Once you sign up, verify the link sent to your email
3. Do check your spam folder just in case
4. Once you get logged in, complete your profile
5. Then upload your CV/resume (doesn’t have to be perfect, upload what you have)
6. Now you can Search FOR CLINICAL ROTATIONS AT YOUR OWN PACE
7. Create applications for FREE
8. If you have any questions about a particular experience then email AMO Advisors <advisors@amopportunities.org>
9. Check back to see new opportunities as they open
Additional points to note:
1. More than 70 specialties available. More than 260 clinical sites (not all open due to COVID). Virtual experiences > 35 plus. In person experiences available at select locations following guidelines with the pandemic. Free advising meetings for Q&A and you don’t need to buy anything! Do send them an email to set it up
I hope this brief overview helps you as you maneuver this journey! Send me any inquires regarding these resources by email by clicking here.
This article is sponsored by the IMG Roadmap Course. A step by step approach to ditch the overwhelm associated with the residency application process for IMG’s. You can sign up to be a part of the 2021 class by clicking here.
Wishing you success,
Dr. Nina Lum