What are Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations are 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 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 gynecology
- 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
- Hematology and oncology
- Infectious disease
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedics
- Pathology
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R)
- Plastic surgery
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
-
01
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.
-
02
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.
-
03
Virtual rotations are online clinical rotations 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.
-
04
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.
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.
Here are some factors that may affect the duration of a clinical rotation:
01
Medical school curriculum: Some medical schools have
stricter curriculum requirements than others, which may affect the duration
of clinical rotations.
02
Hospital size and location: Larger hospitals in
metropolitan areas may offer a broader range of clinical rotations and more
patients, leading to longer rotations.
03
Speciality: Some specialities, such as surgery and internal
medicine, typically have longer rotations than others, such as family
medicine and paediatrics.
04
Student experience and learning goals: Students with more
experience or pursuing a career in a particular speciality may be able to
complete shorter rotations.
Students should talk to their academic advisor or program director to learn more
about the duration of clinical rotations at their medical school and the
hospitals where they will be rotating.
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
- Immunization 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.
What is the difference between Clinical Rotations, Observer ships, and
Externships/Clerkships?
Clinical rotations are hands-on clinical experiences that medical students
complete as part of their required curriculum. These rotations typically occur
at hospitals and clinics affiliated with the student's medical school.
Externships /Clerkships are also hands-on clinical experiences, but the
student's medical school does not directly provide them. Medical students
and graduates can complete externships/ Clerkship rotations, and they are often
the only option available to international medical graduates (IMGs) to meet the
hands-on clinical experience requirements for many residency programs.
Externships/clerkship rotations can be arranged directly with hospitals or
services that offer these experiences or through rotation agencies.
Observerships are shadowing-only rotations, so observers do not participate in
direct patient care. Medical students can complete observerships at all levels
of education and by medical graduates. Graduates often use observership rotation
to fill in gaps in their clinical education or to demonstrate that they are
still up-to-date on medical practices if they have been out of school for a
while. Observership rotations are also popular among IMGs, as they can help them
become more familiar with the US healthcare system and increase their chances of
getting into a residency program.
Here is a table that summarizes 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 |
Preparing for clinical rotations
- Start early: The application process can be competitive, so don't
procrastinate.
- Research thoroughly: Choose programs that align with your interests and
career goals.
- Tailor your applications: Show genuine interest in each program you
apply to.
- Practice interviewing: Be prepared to answer questions about your
motivations and qualifications.
- Consider externships/clerkships as alternatives to USMLE rotations.
- Network with US physicians to build relationships and secure strong
letters of recommendation.
- Highlight your international medical experiences and unique perspective.
Conclusion: Preparation is key! The more organized and
proactive you are, the higher your chances of success. Showcase your passion
and potential. Let your application materials and interviews reflect your
commitment to becoming a skilled and dedicated Physician. Embrace the
journey! Applying for rotations can be challenging, but the rewards of
clinical experience are invaluable
Benefits of Clinical Rotations:
Here are some of the specific benefits of clinical rotations:
- Exposure to a variety of patients and conditions. Clinical rotations
allow medical students to see patients with different diseases and
conditions. This exposure helps students to develop a broad knowledge of
medicine and to learn how to manage a variety of patient presentations.
- Development of clinical skills. Clinical rotations are supervised
hands-on training opportunities to practice and develop clinical skills.
It includes history taking, physical examination, diagnosis, and
treatment.
- They improved communication and teamwork skills. Clinical rotations
require medical students to work in close association with other
healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, & pharmacists.
This experience helps students develop their communication and teamwork
skills, essential for success in healthcare.
- Understanding of the healthcare system. Clinical rotations give medical
students a first-hand look at how the healthcare system works. It
includes understanding the different roles of healthcare professionals
and the challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare system.
- Preparation for residency. Clinical rotations are an essential part of
preparing for residency. Residency programs place a high value on
clinical experience, and students with strong clinical skills are more
likely to be accepted into their preferred residency programs.
- Moksh Advantage: We at Moksh are partners with quite a few
ACGME-accredited hospitals. We would be glad to guide you through the
entire process. What we provide is a complete Medical PG in the US
package. We can start with an Elective Clinical Rotation and continue
through world-class USMLE training right up to your getting a Medical License.
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