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Observerships v/s Electives

Electives are always better than Observerships but if you cant find them it is always better to have atleast Observerships. Sometimes observerships help a lot but mostly they are not as effective as electives, however they are better than no observerships, so if you find a observership, make full use of the opportunity.

Observerships are far more easier to grab when you are applying from US and meet the concerned physician yourself in person but far more difficult if you are not able to see them while applying. Thats my personal opinion as its easier to convince the physician when you meet him in person as compared to on emails.

Observerships are always free....atleast to the best of my knowledge, its just a sort of private contract between you and physician and usually physicians are courteous enough that they dont ask for money for allowing you to shadow(observe) them... I dont know anyone who asks for any fees/money for observerships...however have heard of few but never known anyone...moreover some companies may offer you observerships with some fees as they establish their contracts with physicians for this and pay them but again I wont recommend them as they are the docs who earn their money this way... and moreover why to pay for something while you can get it for free....

Honestly speaking I wont recommend simple observerships to anyone.... they are not feasible economically, effort and if you are going to US only and only for observership, I believe it to be waste of time, money and effort. I might be wrong as this is my personal opinion.

I would strongly recommend you to look for any research position in US universites as they are quite possible(many of my friends have got them and I have also been offered a few) and if you do well for a few months... you get paid as well...moreover during your research you can request your mentor or any other physician in your research for observerships and usually they are courteous enough not to reject you....moreover they are always free atleast this way....

there is requirement of USMLE steps by some physicians and universities which is there only to make sure that you wont be a dumb person following the physician and asking him silly questions but if you are able to convince him that you wont be a burden on him... I am sure they wont mind to have a brilliant student shadowing them...

Submitted by Prachi Vishwasrao (not verified) on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 19:17

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hi umar,
           this is prachi i am a permanent resident.....i am currently doin observership in california.......in john miur hospital.....for 2 months...but i m interested more in pathology....can u help me find some research electives...i m ready to go anywhere possible..
waiting for reply....thank u....
 

Submitted by umar on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 14:36

In reply to by Prachi Vishwasrao (not verified)

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hi prachi, I am sorry I dont provide any individual help to anyone, plz go through the website & list of universities and ask any specific question...

Submitted by wasim (not verified) on Sun, 04/25/2010 - 09:03

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Hi sir

I think I just found the lifeline for my residency plans in US.

I am admitted at UT Houston for this fall and I just want to know how this can help me in getting into residency as few people hear are saying that its worthless and nobody cares for it even if you have some research experience....

which specialty you plan to go in? if Int. Med, Family Practice then externships are better than research and if Pathology, Radiology etc then research is better... but in either case, I don't think it is worthless...

Submitted by Simren (not verified) on Thu, 07/15/2010 - 20:45

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Hi je ,

Im prep fo step 1 nd m taking it by nov-dec 2010 nd then wana go for observership/research in jan-feb 2011...im interested in int med/psych ...pls hep .

Submitted by peeyuusha (not verified) on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 18:20

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how and where to apply for observership...plz help me..i woild like 2 apply for one before going for my electives...

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 17:43

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hi dr.Umar,

got refered to your site from a friend n found to b extermely helpful.could you please help me by uploading a list of universities in us which offer observerships to imgs...i got 99 in step1.so score wudnt b a prob.

Submitted by Dr kapil kumar (not verified) on Sat, 02/12/2011 - 06:28

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Hello sir......

  i m looking for an observationship.can u give me information about sites which can provide information about the same.

Submitted by Vivekananda (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 12:44

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Sir,

I have just finished my 3rd year exams and starting with final year. I am interected in doing research elective in US. I have not written TOEFL or USMLE. Please guide

Submitted by azra (not verified) on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 20:58

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i am from pakistan...i want to apply next year in september 2013 for 2014 match


my questions are


how much time step 3 exam usually takes? i know it depends upon the person but on average step 3 exam takes how many months?  this will help me in scheduling my time for all the exams before applying next year... I want to hhave all the results in my hand before applying...have an idea ab step 1 , step2 but i have no idea ab step 3 exam

i have got two months observership in pediatrics at jackson memorial hospital miami attached with university of miami miller...i want to know is that program img friendly?  

  

Submitted by Gaurav Jadhav (not verified) on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 12:02

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Sir,

I am a US immigrant studying in final year MBBS, in India.

1] Being an immigrant would it be productive for me to give Tofel exam for getting a elective?

2] For what span do you think I should go for electives?

Thanks in advance.

Submitted by sneha (not verified) on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 19:07

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Hi Dr.Umar,

Im done with my MBBS from India and doing my internship now.

Can you please suggest me list of universities for electives as im already kind of late.

Also,im interested in gynacology and would like to know about the match processes and can i get residency in gynacology/obstetrics being a non US citizen

i have not given any steps yet.

looking forward to you reply.

Thankyou.

Submitted by Dr. Christopher (not verified) on Sun, 05/06/2012 - 21:26

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I have collected and posted a free up to date list of programs that offer observerships in internal medicine in the US.  The list can be found on my blog for international medical graduates (http://im-for-imgs.com/2012/01/03/observerships/)

Hello. I'm from Russia and i wood like to have 1 month free observerships in USA or Europe. Could you give an advice when I can find it? Also I don't expect to pass USMle or something else, because i'm not going away from my country.

Submitted by abhilasha (not verified) on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 07:18

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Hello sir, i am a graduate from india and unfortunately i did not apply for any clerkship as an intern. From what i have gathered its important to have hands on clinical experience to increase ones chances to get residency. Could you please tell me if theres a way i can get that experience as i am already a graduate.

Thank you.

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 11:10

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hi sir,

         can i do externship near a private practitioner in us 

Submitted by Roopak saini (not verified) on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 05:28

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hi...
im Roopak saini, final yr student of medical from india..
i want to do observation  
can u help me ...
thnx

Submitted by neel kamal singh (not verified) on Wed, 03/20/2013 - 20:05

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 hello ,i have done my internship in february.i just wanna know that is their any benefit of doin observership or not?and ca we do observership in any hospital in US?

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