Elective Rotations

[atoolio]

Does anyone know if we are able to do elective rotations outside of the affiliated hospitals with AUA?

[Sree Cheruku]

Yes for three months. I hope they live up to that promise.

[Optimus Prime]

Originally Posted by Sree Cheruku

Yes for three months. I hope they live up to that promise.

They are really disuading people from doing so; the last time (less then a month ago) I spoke with my clinical coordinator and asked the exact same Q I was told and I quote: "We really don't want students to go to other hospitals because it is too difficult for us to track and creates various problems" and I have asked about the process on how to obtain some an elective rotation if I set it up on my own to which she said something to the effect of we need to approve your rotations before you can start them and if you fail it would create more problems.

I left it at that unanswered and unresolved' after getting that I did'nt proceed any further with the conversation but . Not the end of it though I do want to push for these not just for myself but for all else as well since we are short on rotations to begin with. And in reality I think we can do electives before cores so it would help with the timing in every aspect. I'll def. be updating here on any progress if any. Hope everyone does the same.

[grobble]

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

They are really disuading people from doing so; the last time (less then a month ago) I spoke with my clinical coordinator and asked the exact same Q I was told and I quote: "We really don't want students to go to other hospitals because it is too difficult for us to track and creates various problems"

If this is true look for a huge back up in trying to schedule and alot of moving b/c we don't have that many sites. What do they expect, everybody is going to be packing in to Wycoff and Harbor. Most electives are going to be IM and it's not like every other school doesn't have those sites too. They need to start getting more sites in Chicago and work out the Atlanta situation if they want to put that kind of stipulation on electives. You also mentioned about doing electives before all cores are done. I thought they weren't letting people do that. It's actually a good idea not to. If you haven't done a core in IM or peds it's hard to get the full benefit out of an IM or peds elective for example. Also, I think AUA's longtern goal is Cali approval. If I remember correctly, didn't SMU get sited as a negative for doing electives before cores on their application.

[Sree Cheruku]

Considering that AUA does not have ACGME-accredited programs in any of the specialties that I'm interested in, I think that I would probably transfer if they don't allow me to do my three away-electives.

I don't really know what kind of resistance to expect from the clinical department yet - and they have been very helpful to me thus far. But, I guess that stage one is sending them an e-mail asking them for permission. Then, sending a letter to the Dean. Then, start filling out a transfer application - since no other school gets in the way of students setting up their own away electives, provided that the host program is accredited and willing to accept me.

[Tipton]

Per Dr. Victor Hrehorovich, M.D., FACP, FCCP
Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean

“AUA requires its students to complete their clinical core rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals. However, AUA students can complete an elective rotation at a non-affiliated teaching hospital as long as the institution is certified by ACGME and listed in the “Green Book.” Students must notify the AUA clinical department about their desire to apply and/or complete an elective rotation at a non-affiliated teaching hospital and provide information for department to review, approve and confirm with an agreement letter from the hospital.”

[Sree Cheruku]

“AUA requires its students to complete their clinical core rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals. However, AUA students can complete an elective rotation at a non-affiliated teaching hospital as long as the institution is certified by ACGME and listed in the “Green Book.” Students must notify the AUA clinical department about their desire to apply and/or complete an elective rotation at a non-affiliated teaching hospital and provide information for department to review, approve and confirm with an agreement letter from the hospital.”

I feel a lot better after reading your post. I hope AUA stands by that statement.

[octavio]

Wow, I thought AUA had greenbook for all their electives. Which electives are greenbook for AUA and which aren't? Thanks

[Sree Cheruku]

We have a lot of greenbook electives, especially those affiliated with Internal Medicine residency, Family Medicine, and Psychiatry residency programs.

However, as of today, AUA isn't affiliated with residency programs in many specialties such as Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, etc. This isn't a huge deal at all - as long as AUA allows us to participate in away electives. Since October 2006, I've read e-mails and seen posts here from students complaining that the clinical department is somehow impeding their ability to participate in these electives. As long as the host hospital has a fully accredited residency program affiliated with the rotation, there should be no reason for this.

But the fact that we can now cite both the Clinical Dean and Mr. Carlson in any request applying for these away electives, maybe we'll have better luck.

[octavio]

Ok, so if Im interested in doing rotations in anesthesia, EM, and radiology, Im more than likely going to have to set up my own rotation? How easy is it to set up your own rotation? Do grades and step score play any role? Can I do them at any hospital or only FMG friendly hospitals? I just find it hard to believe that a hospital/univ is going to let some foreign medical student that has never attened their school just come in and rotate. How does that hospital benefit? I would also assume that the application process would take a long time. Sorry for so many questions....but so if we can rotate at other hospitals, why would AUA try and make it harder on their students to do this? thanks