[Dr_raw]

Hi,
I might be repeating this question but I couldn't find it in any threads... I am an IMG doing internship from India...I can't go do any sort of USCE till I graduate and finish my internship..(have some personal problems)....how difficult would that be after am a graduate...can I still get the USCE?...I saw u talking of connections...I do have some..would that work??

 

[rasheed]

Your have three options

After you graduate you have one of three options:
​

Observerships: Which is a kind of non-touch experience in US clinics and hospitals. Most residency program directors do not consider observerships as a USCE. Your US connections can tremendously help you in finding observerships.

Externships: Which is hands-on clinical training in which you have to be insured against medical liability. Such externships are usually paid and very difficult to get via connections only.
There are a number of companies that can help you (but you have to pay) refer to this http://www.usmle-forums.com/externships-observerships-clerkships/1420-paid-externships-imgs.html

Research: Doing volunteer of even paid clinical research is still considered by some program directors as a form of USCE. Your connections can tremendously help you in finding a research assistant or volunteer spot.

 

[Dr_raw]

thanx rashid...so in your opinion even if im a graduate or not...i'll still have the same options? why is it better if im still a student?
i wud be highly grateful if u answer my query..
thanx again

 

[rasheed]

When are student you can do clerkships and electives which are far better (more valued) than externships and much easier to get.

 

[gokulramani]

USCE after graduation, with liability insurance, but without ECFMG certification? Is it legally possible, if a preceptor accepts to take us in, in a clinic?

Would this be called an "Externship"?

 

[Chicagoclerkships]

Clerkships and Externships

Hi all,

Clerkships and externships are substantively the same. Clerkships are done before you graduate, externships after. These are hands-on clinical rotations where you work with patients under supervision.

Many hospital medical education programs will accept you for clerkships (while you are a student) but you will find very few that accept you for externships after you have graduated.

There are many placement companies out there who help graduates with externships because it is a little trickier to find these opportunities after you have graduated. We believe that Chicago Clerkships is the best, of course! But you must shop around for the package that meets your needs. We suggest you evaluate pricing, but also look at the reviews and consider honesty and transparency in choosing your placement company.

As far as "more valued," we cannot say that clerkships are more valued than externships. There is absolutely no data available on this question at all. There is no data available for hospital-based vs outpatient rotations either. So all of this is just speculation in the USMLE echo chambers. For the data that can actually help you make your decisions in an informed way, check out the nrmp.org website.

The strategy we recommend is this: make some thoughtful decisions about where your passion lies. Choose a specialty and perhaps a back up specialty (something that is not too far removed from your preferred specialty) and research how those fields are practiced in the US. Then plan your rotations so that they reflect your understanding of the specialty.

For more advice and information, feel free to contact us through our website.

Lori

 

[DrRMR]

Hi all,

Clerkships and externships are substantively the same. Clerkships are done before you graduate, externships after. These are hands-on clinical rotations where you work with patients under supervision.

Many hospital medical education programs will accept you for clerkships (while you are a student) but you will find very few that accept you for externships after you have graduated.

There are many placement companies out there who help graduates with externships because it is a little trickier to find these opportunities after you have graduated. We believe that Chicago Clerkships is the best, of course! But you must shop around for the package that meets your needs. We suggest you evaluate pricing, but also look at the reviews and consider honesty and transparency in choosing your placement company.

As far as "more valued," we cannot say that clerkships are more valued than externships. There is absolutely no data available on this question at all. There is no data available for hospital-based vs outpatient rotations either. So all of this is just speculation in the USMLE echo chambers. For the data that can actually help you make your decisions in an informed way, check out the nrmp.org website.

The strategy we recommend is this: make some thoughtful decisions about where your passion lies. Choose a specialty and perhaps a back up specialty (something that is not too far removed from your preferred specialty) and research how those fields are practiced in the US. Then plan your rotations so that they reflect your understanding of the specialty.

For more advice and information, feel free to contact us through our website.

Lori

Currently an IMG with a gap year most likely... so what you're saying is externships are just as good as internships??? Or should I pursue an MPH?

 

[Chicagoclerkships]

Responding to Dr RMR

The difference has to do with the timing. EXternships are outside your medical school curriculum. Hence the EX. INternships (clerkships, subinternships, etc) are withing the framework of your medical school curriculum.

This is not a matter of either/or. It just depends where you are personally in your journey. If you have already graduated from a foreign medical school, then you need externships.

What you need for your match application: recent LORs and recent clinical experience that demonstrates you know how to work in the US system. After that, research, MPH, observerships, these are all extras.

Lori