New Doctor and Resident Electives Abroad

New Doctor and Resident Electives Abroad

A new doctor and resident elective is undertaken by students who have just graduated from medical school and seeking hands on experience in the medical field. It can also be undertaken by Junior Doctors who are seeking to learn more and have more hands on experience.

Who can undertake a new doctor and resident elective?

New doctor and resident electives are tailor made for students who have graduated from medical school and are seeking to have hands on experience under mentorship by experienced professionals. Junior Doctors who are in their medical residency year are also eligible to take part in the program.

With the Elective Africa programs the following are the requirements to take part in the program; 

• The MD graduation certificate
• An updated Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• A statement of the objectives one desires to meet while on program
• Preceptor evaluation forms if the program is for school credit

For more information on the program specifics see New Doctor and resident electives abroad

Why a New Doctor and Residency elective Abroad?

Undertaking a new doctor and residency abroad is an individual decision which comes along with lots of benefits. Electives abroad are lately increasing popularity, and if you have not yet considered undertaking your program abroad, here are some of the reasons why should consider;

1. Exposure to different and unique medical conditions

Different regions have different sets of illnesses. Africa for example is more prone to Tropical  and infectious diseases. Undertaking your electives in such a setting would expand your know how on the tropical diseases like Malaria, Typhoid etc and infectious diseases like HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis. Healthcare practitioners in such settings also have vast knowledge on the conditions and during your interactions you will learn a lot. To learn more about tropical diseases see; https://www.who.int/topics/tropical_diseases/en/

2. Interacting with a new culture

Undertaking your new doctor and residency elective abroad is also a great opportunity to learn and interact with a new culture. This ranges from the way of dressing, cuisines, traditions etc. The different cultural practises also affects the health care system of a place and it may be an interesting aspect for you to learn the different medical practices. You will realize that some countries especially the third world, the medical practitioners have to be very creative and innovative to deliver the very much needed healthcare to its people. Some healthcare centers also have very limited resources in terms of human capital and infrastructure. Where the doctors are limited in number, how do they work to deliver health care services? Learn this and much more

3. Personal Development and Expand your clinical knowledge and skills

You will come to realise that as time passes during your rotations, you will have acquired vast and priceless knowledge. You will learn how to do many procedures and treat many ailments. At Elective Africa for example, our participants have always given lots of testimonials of their experiences. No one has gone back home the way they were. From this you will stand out from the rest of the crowd. See our past participant’s testimonials here.

4. Building your professional and personal network

Ever thought of an opportunity to meet different medical professionals from all over the world? With the Elective Africa programs, we have hosted medical students, new doctors and resident doctors from all over the world. The participants converge in our locations and during this time they interact and share sentiments on healthcare and on other aspects of life. From the hospital, you will interact with medical practitioners at different levels. From the networks you make, you never know what the future holds. 

Porter Gale once said “ Your network is your net worth”

Where can I find New Doctor and Residency Elective Abroad Resources?

You may be wondering where to start if you are seeking to undertake a new doctor or residency elective. There are many options to look into

1. Placement Organisers

These are companies like Elective Africa which provide hustle free programs. Everything from the accommodation, meals, transport, hospital program just to mention a few is put together for you. 

2. Online listing resources

There are plenty of online resources that have listed programs that you could undertake. Such examples are Go abroad, Go overseas, Study Abroad etc. While looking into these online resources, be keen to check on previous participants reviews so as to make very informed decisions. Visit GoAbroad to see Elective Africa’s review at go abroad  go to; 

3. Previous Participants referrals

There could be students in your school or your work colleagues who have undertaken the programs before. Enquire from them the organisations they used or their planning process to get ideas from them.

4. Your Program Advisor

Another important clinical rotations resource is your school’s clinical advisor. They have interacted with a variety of programs and have vast knowledge. Incase you feel stuck, always approach them for advice and especially where the program is required for school credit. They are in the best position to give you the guidelines 

What should I consider while undertaking new doctor and resident electives

If you opt to undertake a new doctor and resident elective program abroad below are some factors to consider:

How to organise your program

This comes down to whether you would like to put together the different aspects of your program like the housing, transport, meals, hospital placement, mentorship and supervision and such. Would you prefer to organise the program on your own or you consider using a placement organiser like Elective Africa

How much will it cost, and what financial support can you access?

You need to have a breakdown of the financial aspect of the programmes. Make sure you do proper planning to make sure you do not run short of cash while on programme. Major aspects that you need to consider if you are looking into undertaking the programme on your own are housing, transport, flights and visa, meals and personal effects. If you opt to use a placement organiser, check on their program package on what their pricing offers so you are able to plan well for all aspects. To see Elective Africa pricing package here.

If you are looking into undertaking a new doctor and resident elective, reach out to us at info@electiveafrica.com

Featured Testimonials

1. A Successful Placement Abroad

My name is Sukarnan (Suki) a junior doctor from Australia and I have completed a 2 week Dermatology placement at Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. I have always dreamt of completing a medical placement in Africa and Elective Africa were instrumental in making this happen. From start Elective Africa were prompt, organized and communicated well which were all important in facilitating a successful placement in a place like Africa. I was able to appreciate the culture, language and environment. There was plenty of opportunity to explore the city life, beaches, learn Swahili, visit an orphanage/ wildlife parks, organise day trips and met new people . Benson, Justina and Ann have been kind, approachable members from Elective Africa supported me on a daily basis, making sure I was enjoying my placement and were happy to tailor the experience to my interest. I cannot thank Elective Africa enough and highly recommend them. 

Sukarnan Thevalingam

Monash University

2. An Amazing Program

As a new doctor elective, this program placed me in Mombasa. I completed 6 weeks of surgery there; registrars and consultants treated me as one of their colleagues with lots of hands on experience. The EA staff also ensured a safe and enriching environment to enjoy leisure time.

Overall, it was an amazing program.

Christpher Dwyer

Memorial University of Newfoundland

To view more testimonials go to https://www.electiveafrica.com/testimonials

by Elective Africa