What are Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations provide a practical opportunity to apply your knowledge of clinical subjects to real-world patient care and to develop the skills to diagnose and treat patients.
Clinical Rotations for International Medical Graduates
As an International Medical Graduate (IMG), clinical rotations (clerkships) are essential to your success in matching into a residency program in the United States. Clinical Clerkships for IMG allow me to gain hands-on experience in the U.S. healthcare system, work with American physicians, and obtain letters of recommendation.
Here are some of the advantages of clinical rotations for IMGs:
- Hands-on experience:IMG clinical rotations give you the chance to use your knowledge and skills in a real-world medical setting. You will learn from experienced physicians and be able to practice your clinical skills on actual patients.
- Letters of recommendation:A recommendation from American physicians is essential for matching into a residency program. Clinical rotations allow you to build relationships with physicians who can provide strong letters of recommendation.
- Performance evaluations:IMG Clinical rotations provide you with feedback on your performance from experienced physicians. This feedback can help identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop an improvement plan
- Pathway to residency:Clinical rotations are a pathway to residency for IMGs. Many residency programs require IMGs to have U.S. clinical experience. By completing clinical rotations, you can demonstrate to residency programs that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful resident.
- The outlook for IMGs in the United States is positive :There is a shortage of physicians in the U.S., and many residency programs are looking to IMGs to fill this shortage. By completing International clinical rotations, you can increase your chances of matching into a residency program and becoming a successful physician in the United States.
Types of Clinical Rotations in the US
Clinical rotations are supervised training experiences that medical students and residents complete in different medical specialities. Clinical rotations occur after the completion of the basic science or medical curriculum and can be grouped into two broad categories: core and elective.
Core Clinical rotations are mandatory rotations that students are required to complete to graduate. Typical core clinical rotations include:
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Neurology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry
- General surgery
Elective rotations are optional rotations that students can choose based on their interests. Typical IMG-friendly elective rotations include:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Emergency medicine
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Haematology and oncology
- Infectious disease
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Pathology
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)
- Plastic surgery
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Hands-on rotations are the most common type of clinical rotation. In a hands-on rotation, students work directly with patients, performing physical exams, ordering and interpreting tests, and developing and implementing treatment plans.
- Observerships are clinical rotations where students observe experienced physicians and other healthcare professionals. Observerships are an excellent way for students to learn about different specialities and develop clinical skills in a low-pressure environment.
- Virtual rotations are online clinical rotations that students complete remotely, by video conferencing and other online tools. Virtual Clinical rotations have become more prevalent in recent years as they allow students to gain clinical experience from anywhere in the world.
- Telerotations are a type of virtual rotation in which students work with patients remotely, using video conferencing and other online tools. Telemedicine rotations are a good way for students to gain clinical experience with patients who live in rural or underserved areas.
Which type of clinical rotation is right for you depends on your needs and goals. If you are still deciding which rotation type to choose, talk to your academic advisor or a trusted mentor.
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Duration of Clinical Rotations
The length of clinical rotations varies depending on the medical school and the hospital. Some rotations may be as short as two weeks, while others may last up to eight weeks. The average duration of some standard clinical rotations is as follows:
| Medical Program |
Duration |
| Anesthesiology |
4 weeks |
| Emergency Medicine |
8 weeks |
| Family Medicine |
8 weeks |
| General Surgery |
8 weeks |
| Internal Medicine |
8 weeks |
| Neurology |
8 weeks |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology |
6 weeks |
| Pathology |
6 weeks |
| Paediatrics |
6 weeks |
| Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) |
4 weeks |
| Psychiatry |
6 weeks |
| Radiology |
6 weeks |
The duration of a clinical rotation for medical students may also depend on the hospital's speciality and strength. For example, a clinical rotation in emergency medicine at a large metropolitan hospital may be longer than a rotation at a smaller rural hospital.
These are some of the things that can influence the length of a clinical rotation:
-
01
Curriculum of Medical school : Individual schools can have more or less demanding curriculum than other schools, and this can take its toll on clinical rotations.
-
02
Hospital size and location: More patients and potentially a wider spectrum of clinical rotations are available in larger hospitals in metropolitan areas. This results in longer rotations.
-
03
Speciality: Some specialities have relatively longer rotations than others, like surgery and internal medicine, compared to family medicine and paediatrics.
-
04
Student experience and learning goals: More experienced students or those students with a career interest in a specific speciality may have the opportunity to do shorter rotations.
Students are advised to consult with his or her academic advisor or program director to obtain more information about the length of clinical rotations in their medical school and the hospitals that they will be rotating in.
Cost of US Clinical Rotations
On average, a US hospital can charge $500/week for a clinical rotation program, and a minimum of 80 weeks of clinical rotations in the United States will cost around $40,000. A standard four-week clinical rotation can fall between $1,000 and $4,199.
How to Apply for a Clinical Rotation
To apply for a USMLE clinical rotation, you must typically submit an application form and any required supporting documents. You may also need to interview with the program director or other members of the rotation team.
Criteria for Choosing Clinical Rotation
You must be a third-year medical student to apply for a USMLE clinical rotation. The application requirements for each program are different, but some common conditions include:
- USMLE Step 1 score report
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Letter of good standing from your medical school (if you are applying to a program outside of your school)
- Letter of intent
- Transcripts
- Dean's letter
- Immunisation records
- Malpractice insurance
- Criminal background check
- HIPAA awareness training certificate
- Urine drug screening report
Some programs may also require additional documents, such as letters of recommendation or a portfolio of work. Be sure to check the specific requirements of the programs you are interested in.
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What is the difference between Clinical Rotations, Observership, and Externship/Clerkships?
Three ways med students gain hospital experience: Learn key differences below-
What are Clinical Rotations?
These are hands-on hospital or clinic placements. They are a required part of becoming a doctor. Your own medical school organises them for you. You learn by doing real patient care tasks under supervision.
What are Externships/Clerkships?
These are also hands-on placements, similar to clinical rotations. The key difference? Your medical school does not arrange them. You find them yourself, often through hospitals or special agencies.
Medical students and graduates utilise them. They are vital for many international graduates needing experience for further doctoral training (residency).
What are Observerships?
This is only shadowing. You watch doctors work, but you do not touch patients or do any hands-on care. Medical students or graduates can do observerships. Graduates often use them to refresh knowledge after time away from medicine or to fill gaps in training.
International graduates utilise them to learn about the US healthcare system and enhance their residency chances.
Here is a table that summarises the key differences between USMLE clinical rotations, observerships, and externships:
| Medical Program |
Duration |
| Anesthesiology |
4 weeks |
| Emergency Medicine |
8 weeks |
| Family Medicine |
8 weeks |
| General Surgery |
8 weeks |
| Internal Medicine |
8 weeks |
| Neurology |
8 weeks |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology |
6 weeks |
| Pathology |
6 weeks |
| Paediatrics |
6 weeks |
| Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) |
4 weeks |
| Psychiatry |
6 weeks |
| Radiology |
6 weeks |
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Preparing for Clinical Rotations
- Start early: The application process can be competitive, so do not procrastinate.
- Research thoroughly: Choose programs that align with your interests and career goals.
- Make your applications personal: Demonstrate interest in the program to which you are applying.
- Practice interviewing: Prepare to be asked what motivates you and what qualifies you.
- Think of an externship/clerkship in place of USMLE rotations.
- Build a rapport with the US doctors to familiarise yourself with them so that they can write a good letter of recommendation.
- Discuss your international medical experiences and outsider perspective.
Preparation is key! The more organised and proactive you are, the higher your chances of success. Applying for rotations can be challenging, but the rewards of clinical experience are invaluable.
Benefits of Clinical Rotations:
Clinical rotations build essential doctor skills. Discover their key benefits below
1. Treat a lot of diverse patients.
You meet patients with all types of medical issues. This develops your experience and helps you in managing various cases.
2. Real Doctor Skills
Clinical rotations offer you supervised and practical training. You are taught how to take histories, examine patients, make diagnoses, and plan treatment.
3. Work with Teams
You collaborate with doctors, nurses, and others very closely. This makes you acquire good communication and teamwork. These play an important role in medical care.
4. Know More about Hospitals
You get to see how hospitals and clinics are in operation. You get to know new jobs and the challenges that the field of healthcare has.
5. Prepare To Get Your Next Job
This exposure is essential in applying to doctor training positions (residency). Residency programs seek out good clinical skills.
How Moksh Can Help?
We are in contact with officially approved US hospitals. We take you through the entire procedure. Also, we offer a complete package: US clinical rotations, top USMLE training, and help getting your medical license.
Final Thoughts on Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations are vital for hands-on training to become a doctor in the US. They build your skills, boost your residency chances, and help you understand the healthcare system. For IMGs, they are often essential. With good planning and the right support, rotations can be your successful pathway forward. Ready to start? Moksh Academy guides you every step.
