Clinical Elective

What is an Elective?

A clinical elective represents a unique opportunity for medical students to experience healthcare in a setting unfamiliar to that in which they are accustomed to studying, or in a place or field of specific interest. This is classically in a low resource setting, but may also be to experience a specialist field, a place you might be considering working in the future, or for a variety of other reasons.

Placements abroad may provide an experience of different practices and medical conditions you might be unfamiliar with. In addition, students often retrospectively describe how their placements broadened their horizons with regard to the social issues affecting healthcare in developing countries.

Why?

Electives can be used to tick the 'commitment to specialty' box for later job applications if you undertake an elective in the specialty you apply to work in but matching your elective to your job plans isn't a necessity. For IMGs it is especially important (and I cannot stress this enough) to have experience in the healthcare setting they plan to work in. You could also use your electives to explore areas of interest or gain additional experience in something that will be useful to you in the future but not necessarily something you want to work in.

How?

The degree of formality of applying for an elective varies massively between places. Start with an email to enquire and go from there - some will simply say 'yes' and then expect to see you on the date you mentioned, whilst others will expect half a forest of paperwork before confirming your place. The application process starts 8 weeks to 6 months or even a year before your actual elective so be sure to research the time frame and make plans accordingly.

The boring stuff

• Make sure you have insurance and indemnity cover, though this will be explained to you by your hospital therefore you’ll be able to make the necessary arrangements. Keep in mind you’ll have to get a few insurances such as malpractice insurance in the case of the US.
  

• Visas- Your hospital can often advise on whether you can get away with a tourist visa or need a work permit and most likely provide the necessary paperwork to obtain one but there are always exceptions. Most of us will have to get a visa to keep that time margin in mind before applying.
  

• Accommodation and travel- Your elective hospital may have accommodation, but many students going abroad often book a hostel and then find short-term lets with people they meet out there.

Total costs

The costs depend on a lot of factors and are highly variable and case-specific, but overall travel and accommodation are the big numbers. Some hospitals might charge a small amount for registration and administrative purposes to tuition fees for the duration of the elective.

In my upcoming articles, I will go into more depth regarding the opportunities, application process, finances for specific countries such as the USA, UK, and Pakistan. Stay tuned!