USMLE Forum Archives - The Match & Residency - AmeriClerkships
AmeriClerkships
katiaf - 02-06-08 12:07
Does anybody know this company or have any references about their services? AmeriClerkships.com advertise that they place physicians from around the globe in various US clinical settings... hands on clinical experience...
katiaf - 02-06-08 12:07
Does anybody know this company or have any references about their services? AmeriClerkships.com advertise that they place physicians from around the globe in various US clinical settings... hands on clinical experience...
Page 1
#3
Re: AmeriClerkships radhamesramos - 02-09-08 16:27 Sounds dubious. I had a bad experience last year with another company. See other threads to see the postings we've put about hese companies
#4
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-10-08 22:43 no idea....is this an externship company? red flag on all externship companies and do your homework well.
#5
Re: AmeriClerkships doctor1 - 02-12-08 10:23 never heard of it but for externships or clerkships its betetr to contact the programs directly and some also need to be paid a specific amount for a period of time so its betetr to shell ur dimes there , look for the programs on websites
#6
Re: AmeriClerkships radhamesramos - 02-12-08 14:45 And sometimes thes agencies put you with a private physician, not with a real residency program...so beware
#7
Re: AmeriClerkships doctor1 - 02-13-08 11:13 yes,.. with a private physician u might have to be shadowing them in their office , while the same in a residency program is better on CV
#8
Re: AmeriClerkships kseniya - 02-14-08 11:51 Hello and good day to everyone!
I would like to share a little bit about our organization, AmeriClerkships, because it is like no other IMG-friendly organization out there and we invite every client to not only check our background, but also to come and visit us. On a daily basis, we improve patient safety by helping residency programs in making informed decisions about who they choose as their next medical resident in training. AmeriClerkships accomplishes this by matching our pre-qualified International Medical Graduate (IMG) clients, also referred to as clinical trainees, with willing and qualified attending physicians and hospitals to facilitate and supervise pre-residency clinical experience in various primary care specialties. And for the record, we do have both INPATIENT and OUTPATIENT clinicals, as well as TEACHING HOSPITAL ROTATIONS.
You'll be impressed to learn that we are the only professionally run IMG-friendly organization that has consistently been:
1. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year;
2. Training each of its employees as an IMG Residency Strategist... an intense 6 week training session;
3. A transparent corporation since inception: please visit us at 2 Executive Circle, Suite 110, Irvine, California 92614;
4. Providing FREE professional consultation since inception; even the phone call made to AmeriClerkships is TOLL-FREE and paid for by our company:877.MD.Clerkships (877.632.5375)!
5. An "A" Rated AND "5 Star" member of the Better Business Bureau;
6. Tracked by Dunn & Bradstreet since inception;
7. Providing the first industry residency SuccessGuarantee through our TOTALResidency package;
8. Supervised by American Academy of Family Physicians Member Doctors, who were trained by U.S. residency programs and former "Chief" of their residencies;
9. Providing more than 20,000 weeks of hands-on clinical experience, directly supervised by AmeriClerkships affiliated teaching attending physicians who possess renowned hospital affiliations;
10. Covering IMGs with up to $3,000,000 medical liability insurance policy specifically underwritten for IMGs participating in clinicals, regardless of USMLE scores or graduation;
11. Featured on globally syndicated videos, including those of Kaplan Medical and The Doctor's Channel: http://www.thedoctorschannel.com/search/results/?search=americlerkships ;
12. Featured on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Americlerkships ;
13. Endorsed by Kaplan, and the provider of FREE year round live conferences at U.S. Kaplan Medical centers and representative sites worldwide;
14. The only entity who is exclusively insured for providing pre-residency clinicals to International Medical Graduates across the U.S. (not as re-enrolled medical students or ancillary medical specialties);
15. Opposed to re-enrolling and IMG back in medical school, for the purposes of obtaining pre-residency clinical experience (may cause you problems with future madical licensure);
16. Utilizing an elaborate Clinical Management System that enables its IMG clients to track their clinical accounts online, stay close to their homes and families;
17. Enabling IMGs to choose their city, state and time to start their clinicals;
18. An innovator in IMG service and essential products; sample include:
i) Certified 5 and 6 month MEDTracks,
ii) 3 Week Expedited Service,
iii) ELiTE Services for clients who demand the ultimate in client service and satisfaction,
iv) MD-PhD approach to professionally revising IMG documents,
v) Effective Scramble Assistance Packages - including consultation with former residency admission committee members, for FREE!
19. Extending its reach beyond the U.S. by working with 8 government agencies from across the globe;
20. Active members of the U.S. medical community.
In summary, we invite you to take AmeriClerkships for a test-drive: Call to speak with one of our IMG Residency Strategists and see how quickly we can help you reach your future medical career goals: Toll-Free at 877.MD.Clerkships (632.5375; from the U.S. & Canada), or 202.280.2040 (from outside the U.S. & Canada).
Sincerely,
Kseniya Kozlovskaya
National Client Coordinator
Supervised by: AAFP Member Licensed Physicians
kseniya.kozlovskaya@americlerkships.com
www. AmeriClerkships.com
#9
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-14-08 12:04 
posted by kseniya on 02-14-08 11:51
Hello and good day to everyone!
I would like to share a little bit about our organization, AmeriClerkships, because it is like no other IMG-friendly organization out there and we invite every client to not only check our background, but also to come and visit us. On a daily basis, we improve patient safety by helping residency programs in making informed decisions about who they choose as their next medical resident in training. AmeriClerkships accomplishes this by matching our pre-qualified International Medical Graduate (IMG) clients, also referred to as clinical trainees, with willing and qualified attending physicians and hospitals to facilitate and supervise pre-residency clinical experience in various primary care specialties. And for the record, we do have both INPATIENT and OUTPATIENT clinicals, as well as TEACHING HOSPITAL ROTATIONS.
You'll be impressed to learn that we are the only professionally run IMG-friendly organization that has consistently been:
1. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year;
2. Training each of its employees as an IMG Residency Strategist... an intense 6 week training session;
3. A transparent corporation since inception: please visit us at 2 Executive Circle, Suite 110, Irvine, California 92614;
4. Providing FREE professional consultation since inception; even the phone call made to AmeriClerkships is TOLL-FREE and paid for by our company:877.MD.Clerkships (877.632.5375)!
5. An "A" Rated AND "5 Star" member of the Better Business Bureau;
6. Tracked by Dunn & Bradstreet since inception;
7. Providing the first industry residency SuccessGuarantee through our TOTALResidency package;
8. Supervised by American Academy of Family Physicians Member Doctors, who were trained by U.S. residency programs and former "Chief" of their residencies;
9. Providing more than 20,000 weeks of hands-on clinical experience, directly supervised by AmeriClerkships affiliated teaching attending physicians who possess renowned hospital affiliations;
10. Covering IMGs with up to $3,000,000 medical liability insurance policy specifically underwritten for IMGs participating in clinicals, regardless of USMLE scores or graduation;
11. Featured on globally syndicated videos, including those of Kaplan Medical and The Doctor's Channel: http://www.thedoctorschannel.com/search/results/?search=americlerkships ;
12. Featured on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Americlerkships ;
13. Endorsed by Kaplan, and the provider of FREE year round live conferences at U.S. Kaplan Medical centers and representative sites worldwide;
14. The only entity who is exclusively insured for providing pre-residency clinicals to International Medical Graduates across the U.S. (not as re-enrolled medical students or ancillary medical specialties);
15. Opposed to re-enrolling and IMG back in medical school, for the purposes of obtaining pre-residency clinical experience (may cause you problems with future madical licensure);
16. Utilizing an elaborate Clinical Management System that enables its IMG clients to track their clinical accounts online, stay close to their homes and families;
17. Enabling IMGs to choose their city, state and time to start their clinicals;
18. An innovator in IMG service and essential products; sample include:
i) Certified 5 and 6 month MEDTracks,
ii) 3 Week Expedited Service,
iii) ELiTE Services for clients who demand the ultimate in client service and satisfaction,
iv) MD-PhD approach to professionally revising IMG documents,
v) Effective Scramble Assistance Packages - including consultation with former residency admission committee members, for FREE!
19. Extending its reach beyond the U.S. by working with 8 government agencies from across the globe;
20. Active members of the U.S. medical community.
In summary, we invite you to take AmeriClerkships for a test-drive: Call to speak with one of our IMG Residency Strategists and see how quickly we can help you reach your future medical career goals: Toll-Free at 877.MD.Clerkships (632.5375; from the U.S. & Canada), or 202.280.2040 (from outside the U.S. & Canada).
Sincerely,
Kseniya Kozlovskaya
National Client Coordinator
Supervised by: AAFP Member Licensed Physicians
kseniya.kozlovskaya@americlerkships.com
www. AmeriClerkships.com
Hello and good day to everyone!
I would like to share a little bit about our organization, AmeriClerkships, because it is like no other IMG-friendly organization out there and we invite every client to not only check our background, but also to come and visit us. On a daily basis, we improve patient safety by helping residency programs in making informed decisions about who they choose as their next medical resident in training. AmeriClerkships accomplishes this by matching our pre-qualified International Medical Graduate (IMG) clients, also referred to as clinical trainees, with willing and qualified attending physicians and hospitals to facilitate and supervise pre-residency clinical experience in various primary care specialties. And for the record, we do have both INPATIENT and OUTPATIENT clinicals, as well as TEACHING HOSPITAL ROTATIONS.
You'll be impressed to learn that we are the only professionally run IMG-friendly organization that has consistently been:
1. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year;
2. Training each of its employees as an IMG Residency Strategist... an intense 6 week training session;
3. A transparent corporation since inception: please visit us at 2 Executive Circle, Suite 110, Irvine, California 92614;
4. Providing FREE professional consultation since inception; even the phone call made to AmeriClerkships is TOLL-FREE and paid for by our company:877.MD.Clerkships (877.632.5375)!
5. An "A" Rated AND "5 Star" member of the Better Business Bureau;
6. Tracked by Dunn & Bradstreet since inception;
7. Providing the first industry residency SuccessGuarantee through our TOTALResidency package;
8. Supervised by American Academy of Family Physicians Member Doctors, who were trained by U.S. residency programs and former "Chief" of their residencies;
9. Providing more than 20,000 weeks of hands-on clinical experience, directly supervised by AmeriClerkships affiliated teaching attending physicians who possess renowned hospital affiliations;
10. Covering IMGs with up to $3,000,000 medical liability insurance policy specifically underwritten for IMGs participating in clinicals, regardless of USMLE scores or graduation;
11. Featured on globally syndicated videos, including those of Kaplan Medical and The Doctor's Channel: http://www.thedoctorschannel.com/search/results/?search=americlerkships ;
12. Featured on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Americlerkships ;
13. Endorsed by Kaplan, and the provider of FREE year round live conferences at U.S. Kaplan Medical centers and representative sites worldwide;
14. The only entity who is exclusively insured for providing pre-residency clinicals to International Medical Graduates across the U.S. (not as re-enrolled medical students or ancillary medical specialties);
15. Opposed to re-enrolling and IMG back in medical school, for the purposes of obtaining pre-residency clinical experience (may cause you problems with future madical licensure);
16. Utilizing an elaborate Clinical Management System that enables its IMG clients to track their clinical accounts online, stay close to their homes and families;
17. Enabling IMGs to choose their city, state and time to start their clinicals;
18. An innovator in IMG service and essential products; sample include:
i) Certified 5 and 6 month MEDTracks,
ii) 3 Week Expedited Service,
iii) ELiTE Services for clients who demand the ultimate in client service and satisfaction,
iv) MD-PhD approach to professionally revising IMG documents,
v) Effective Scramble Assistance Packages - including consultation with former residency admission committee members, for FREE!
19. Extending its reach beyond the U.S. by working with 8 government agencies from across the globe;
20. Active members of the U.S. medical community.
In summary, we invite you to take AmeriClerkships for a test-drive: Call to speak with one of our IMG Residency Strategists and see how quickly we can help you reach your future medical career goals: Toll-Free at 877.MD.Clerkships (632.5375; from the U.S. & Canada), or 202.280.2040 (from outside the U.S. & Canada).
Sincerely,
Kseniya Kozlovskaya
National Client Coordinator
Supervised by: AAFP Member Licensed Physicians
kseniya.kozlovskaya@americlerkships.com
www. AmeriClerkships.com
Kseniya,
Why do you block your registration page (whois.net). Why do you have your registarion proxied/blocked? Is there any reason why to hide such information? Why aren't you members of active BBB?
#10
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-14-08 12:09 This is the Americlerkships.com whois.et registration. Notice the domains by Proxy.
Registrant:
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: AMERICLERKSHIPS.COM
Domain servers in listed order:
NS101.WEGAHOST.COM
NS102.WEGAHOST.COM
---------------------
The above tells you that the domain information is blocked. If you are business why do you block such info?
I can understand why blocking forum registation or an informational site which is not business but not something I am goign to put my money on.
#11
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-14-08 12:12 For example there are sites that also have their names blocked and hey these are very well known scam sites...the question is Americlerkship a scam? if not why hide your registartion?
Where is your physical office located? Can I walk in your office?
thanks
#12
Re: AmeriClerkships kseniya - 02-16-08 15:20 Dear InSitu and all other members.
My name is Walter Dubbeldam, and I am the AmeriClerkships in-house IT Project Manager. Your concern for web domain name privatization is very valid, however, so were our reasons for privatizing our site in early 2007. To summarize this post, we have been in the process of revesing this, but its proven to be more challenging than we had hoped for it to be (which I've explained below). I'm inviting you to visit me for an in-person tour of the beautiful AmeriClerkships facilities, during which I hope to discuss the contents of this post with you personally. We are located at 2 Executive Circle, Suite 110, Irvine, California 92614; across the 405 freeway by John Wayne Airport in Orange County. You can also visit us in person at any of our live conferences which take place year round at major Kaplan Medical centers. For registration, dates and times, please visit our registration section online at http://www.americlerkships/conferencereg.jsp. We typically have at least 2 of our specialists present at any of our events with whom you can meet and greet.
Meanwhile, allow me to respond to some of the questions/concerns in this forum in writing:
A. Transparency - we invite anyone to visit us in person. AmeriClerkships is one of the only companies in our industry with our contact information and physical address on our home page. We love visitors; as a matter of fact, we have many clients who just drop by to say hello every week. Please stop by!
B. Better Business Bureau - we are the only "A" rated member of the BBB in our industry, and have always maintained our seal of approval on our webpage. Not only that, but we're members of the BBB Online Reliability Program and . You may visit our BBB membership site by clicking on http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=100050143. Further more, www.americlerkships.com is a member of the ShopperScanned® Privacy Protected™ program as well.
C. Private Domain Registry - The domain names www.americlerkships.com/org/etc... were initially privatized to stop domain-related spam, deter identity theft & fraud. According to http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/ChronDataBreaches.htm, 53,383,950 personal and business records have been hacked, stolen or erroneously exposed to criminals through poor security practices or negligence since 2005. That unbelievable number equates to almost 20% of every person living in the Unites States. One in Five people have had their private data exposed to criminals who want to steal your hard earned dollars. In fact its now so bad that businesses are forming to commit identity theft and the crime is becoming an industry! Every single person is at risk. Some reasons for contacting a company through its "whois" information of course are legitimate, but some are not and this is where making a domain anonymous can greatly improve security. To make matters worse, every single regular domain registration in the world has your name, address, email, phone and fax numbers available to anyone who desires to take that data and use it in various ways.
Therefore our decision to have a private domain was simply a business decision after analyzing the dollar cost average of fraud and spam, and the potential benefits of having our contact information where pre-programmed internet "spiders" can find, and use for malicious activities. However knowing all of the above stated facts, and the general distrust instilled amongst some of our International Medical Graduate clientele (some of which are completely justified as a result of some of the wrong doings of some of our so-called competitors), the AmeriClerkships board of directors decided that the benefits of transparency is hopefully worth the risk; so we decided to undo the original privatization. Unfortunately, undoing this has proved to be an enormous task. We've had several attempts at un-privatizing these domain names was unsuccessful. So recently, we moved our hosting company from www.godaddy.com to www.vpsland.com, who promises to be able to propagate the un-privatization of our site across all global domain registries in short order. Our fingers are crossed, but till that happens, the “whois” data kept in each country leads to a live person who can relay emergency data should anything arise that needs our companies attention; so anyone can always stay in touch with a business 24/7, or visit us in person.
For everyone who is considering privatization of their domain names, you should realise that there are many valid reasons to maintain domain registration privacy. You may wish to stop domain-related spam, deter identity theft & fraud, prevent harassers, stalkers & data miners from being effective, maintain privacy if you are a famous person and even to gain privacy when exercising your first amendment rights of free speech. However, one should in no way use privatization to condone fraud, and the right to privacy protection online should be immediately removed if privatization is used for fraudulent purposes, to commit fraud against others or commit libel online against the public or other businesses. When privatizing, all companis should be expected to maintain the law and act within the laws found in their jurisdiction.
I hope this helped explain a bit. Sorry to have taken up so much of everyone’s time, but I hope that you now realize that we absolutely do care about each International Medical Graduate, and the message that is carried out by everyone of us. So much that we have a trained AmeriClerkships Ambassadors who are solely responsible for educating the public about AmeriClerkships, and keeping the good name of AmeriClerkships in place across the world.
Walter Dubbeldam
IT Project Manager and Controller
AmeriClerkships
walter.dubbeldam@americlerkships.com
877.632.5375 Extension 711 (North America)
949.417.8980 Extension 711 (Global)
#13
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-16-08 18:27 I still think the domain registartion name should not be blocked. I know many of the very respected organizations running for over 6 years with open domains and all the scam sites are blocked. They never been stolen Thats my experience over the past 6 years and I do not see why block unless there is something to hide. How old is Americlerkships?
#14
Re: AmeriClerkships mindswapper - 02-18-08 01:30 And how is it that Walter uses the same userID as Kseniya?
Quote: "To make matters worse, every single regular domain registration in the world has your name, address, email, phone and fax numbers available to anyone who desires to take that data and use it in various ways."
If this is a business, then u ought to give ur details, name, address, email, fone, everything. Then why do u wanna do a business, if u do not wanna reveal anything?
#15
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-18-08 10:04 Well...you can have your name but your business address listed. Why is that wrong? The bottom line is, if you have a business there is no reason to hide your identitiy unless questionable. You have to be wide open and honest with your clients then there is nothing to worry about. Are you aware that many externship services change their name and domain almost every year? Do you know that they hide their name as well? did you ever wonder why. Everything sounds legit as you mentioned but you must not hide your registration. As long as the registatrion is blocked then your services are questionable.
#16
Re: AmeriClerkships kseniya - 02-19-08 18:23 Mr./Ms. Mindswapper,
1. We are all representatives of AmeriClerkships. There is no need to confuse the readers by having different log-in usernames.
2. Our business contact information has always been on our home page, and our Contact Us page. Please feel free to visit us in Irvine, California.
Mr./Ms. Insitu,
1. AmeriClerkships was incorporated in March of 2007.
2. We will notify this forum as soon as our "who-is" information has been de-privatized.
Thank you.
Dr. Mizani
#17
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 02-20-08 10:17 Dr. Mizani,
If your were incorporated in 2007 why do you advertise in business since 1999? Who were you before 2007? In case you do not know there are always red flags on any online service and you have to be careful how to represent yourself in an honest manner. There are many scam service sthat come with new names every year and your actions lables you as that type but you may in reality be legit and honest.
If you calim incorporation in 2007 and have blocked your identity at whois and calim being around since 1999 then hiding your information is basically very suspecious. Also it takes 2 minutes and 25 seconds to de-privatize your blocked domain why such big wait to do it...is it to allow you to change the information as you want and then de-privatize.
How can you give a 50% refund guarantee? did you really charge 30k for the "Guaranteed position" and then if no position will refund 50% and you keep about 15k? Is that true?
How can you brag about A plus BBB record and it when you only have been with BBB for 9 months? :)
What is your relationship to Kaplan? I think its a good way to invetigate that.
Honesty is important in this type of business...
#18
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 02-23-08 12:31 I have completed my Clinicals with an operated copmany of Dr. Mizani about 3 years a go......... it was bad experiance just another way to make $$$ for poor IMG ............ i will stay away and call hospitals my self and set up my own externship and clerships
#19
Re: AmeriClerkships TheOne - 02-23-08 14:22 Desperation explains IMGs actions to pursue any light in the end of the tunnel; Unfortunately, some waves a candle or a lamp on that end to lure poor IMGs, who will find that the tunnel had a dead-end.
Before you act, think twice and ask 3 times.
#20
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 02-23-08 14:33 Well said THE ONE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Your wrods i hope will echo on all those good IMG .
#21
Re: AmeriClerkships radhamesramos - 02-23-08 17:45 I am glad I met a group like this one, if I had such a support last year, I could have saved some money
#22
Re: AmeriClerkships
katiaf - 02-25-08 16:15 The One and others,
I am very pleased to read all this "debate" about AmeriClerkships. I did not know all these details about private business records and blocked domains. Thanks so much for taking your time and contribute with precious information that makes it easier for us IMG's to make some important decisions and hopefully better use of our money. Thanks also to reality13 to share his experience.
#23
Re: AmeriClerkships doctor1 - 02-25-08 21:26 good thread , I hope more people read this before shelling their money
#24
Re: AmeriClerkships sridoc - 03-04-08 10:40 hey..after going thru all this..it sounds like americlerkships is not trustable after all..isnt it?? anyone else has any other experience with this or other site.
I am on the verge of deciding somethign abt externships wiht one of the sites..so i need to beware..
thanks for warnign me..i need to be carefull..
#25
Re: AmeriClerkships TheOne - 03-04-08 15:58 A legitimate observership worth a thousand questionable externship..
Be careful..
#27
Re: AmeriClerkships gurpritmd - 03-05-08 17:40 I have been doing a clerkship with AC, in chicago. They do charge a lot of money but so far I have been happy with my clerkship in interna medicine. However they did work with me on the payment by spreading the fee over a few months. I am currently doing a clerkship in a mostly outpatient private clinic but once a week I make rounds inpatient on a geritric floor and once a week in a large care home. The doctor I am doing the rotation is very professional and there are many residents mainly 3rd year, some of whom were chiefs in internal and family medicine in there respective hospitals. There are also many students doing there 4th year electives from various carribean med schools with this particular doctor. I have been very happy to get this clinical experience through ameirclerkships. I was a bit scared because of all the fraudulent organizations that I had heard about but took the chance with americlerkships b/c of the fact that they were recomended by Kaplan. Anyone interested should go to one of the free seminars that americlerkships offers at various kaplan centers. They also gave me a 10% discount b/c I had taken various kaplan courses for the usmles. my next clerkship is in neurology for 4 weeks begining in mid april or may. I will post my experience from that clerkship in due time but so far so good!
sincerly
G.S.Bains
#28
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-05-08 21:03 Good for you. I am in chicago for the weekend visitng my brother. Can we meet in the institution where you are workig at?
#29
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-05-08 21:22 Dear doctors.I live in NJ.I am currently a client of americlerkships in NJ .I graduated in 1996.I started externship in 2007 november.I finished 2 months in psych ,one month in geriatrics and currently I am doing internal medicine and primary care . In all these places I worked in clinic as well as did rounds with attendings and nurse practitioners in hospital. I am learning. It is not easy for older graduates to get externships close to the place they live. As I work in local hospital and occasionally on call in the evening.I cannot afford to find externship too far away.I regret I started late.The first letter I got was in January.This year match is over but I am preparing for next yr match or this yr scramble. The doctor who I am working with gave me a provisional letter for the scramble.As a mater of fact he called for me in the program where he is attending.I passed my step 1 and step 2 long time ago in 1995 and 1998 but decided to come to US in 2004 after my marriage.I took my step 2 CS and then step 3 in 2005 and 2006 respectively. I have been applying all these years but seems like nobody trusts older graduates.Every yr I get few interviews but seems like getting interview doesnt help much.I retook step 1 and step 2 in 2006 and 2007 after getting permission from one of the state as my all exams were passed in almost 11 yrs.My step 1 scores are 79 and 89(passed 2 times), step 2 80 and 97(passed 2 times) and step 3 78 (passed 1 time).I dont know if these rotations will give me residency but I know that americlerkship is good in getting u inside the network of attendings and u get exposure of patients in clinics and if ur attending is comfortable he will take u to hospital.Right now I not onlyhave a better idea of american health care but also I remeber names of a lot of medicines.I am happy I attained 3 fresh letters before scramble as well which I think is very important for the older graduates who the programs look with great suspicion.Iwent to free seminar of kaplan in nj and it is the kaplan who advised me to go to them.Thanks all folks.
#30
Re: AmeriClerkships TheOne - 03-05-08 21:57 Interesting !!!
You both guys "gurpritmd & syed12" have joined our webiste Today, both were in the same corporation "Americlerkship", both had a long, personal statement-like story to share with us.
Good to have you here, guys!!! And let's see if "gurpritmd" will meet InSitu in good ol' chicago?
#31
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-05-08 23:32 posted by syed12 on 03-05-08 21:22
Dear doctors.I live in NJ.I am currently a client of americlerkships in NJ .I graduated in 1996.I started externship in 2007 november.I finished 2 months in psych ,one month in geriatrics and currently I am doing internal medicine and primary care . In all these places I worked in clinic as well as did rounds with attendings and nurse practitioners in hospital. I am learning. It is not easy for older graduates to get externships close to the place they live. As I work in local hospital and occasionally on call in the evening.I cannot afford to find externship too far away.I regret I started late.The first letter I got was in January.This year match is over but I am preparing for next yr match or this yr scramble. The doctor who I am working with gave me a provisional letter for the scramble.As a mater of fact he called for me in the program where he is attending.I passed my step 1 and step 2 long time ago in 1995 and 1998 but decided to come to US in 2004 after my marriage.I took my step 2 CS and then step 3 in 2005 and 2006 respectively. I have been applying all these years but seems like nobody trusts older graduates.Every yr I get few interviews but seems like getting interview doesnt help much.I retook step 1 and step 2 in 2006 and 2007 after getting permission from one of the state as my all exams were passed in almost 11 yrs.My step 1 scores are 79 and 89(passed 2 times), step 2 80 and 97(passed 2 times) and step 3 78 (passed 1 time).I dont know if these rotations will give me residency but I know that americlerkship is good in getting u inside the network of attendings and u get exposure of patients in clinics and if ur attending is comfortable he will take u to hospital.Right now I not onlyhave a better idea of american health care but also I remeber names of a lot of medicines.I am happy I attained 3 fresh letters before scramble as well which I think is very important for the older graduates who the programs look with great suspicion.Iwent to free seminar of kaplan in nj and it is the kaplan who advised me to go to them.Thanks all folks.
Dear doctors.I live in NJ.I am currently a client of americlerkships in NJ .I graduated in 1996.I started externship in 2007 november.I finished 2 months in psych ,one month in geriatrics and currently I am doing internal medicine and primary care . In all these places I worked in clinic as well as did rounds with attendings and nurse practitioners in hospital. I am learning. It is not easy for older graduates to get externships close to the place they live. As I work in local hospital and occasionally on call in the evening.I cannot afford to find externship too far away.I regret I started late.The first letter I got was in January.This year match is over but I am preparing for next yr match or this yr scramble. The doctor who I am working with gave me a provisional letter for the scramble.As a mater of fact he called for me in the program where he is attending.I passed my step 1 and step 2 long time ago in 1995 and 1998 but decided to come to US in 2004 after my marriage.I took my step 2 CS and then step 3 in 2005 and 2006 respectively. I have been applying all these years but seems like nobody trusts older graduates.Every yr I get few interviews but seems like getting interview doesnt help much.I retook step 1 and step 2 in 2006 and 2007 after getting permission from one of the state as my all exams were passed in almost 11 yrs.My step 1 scores are 79 and 89(passed 2 times), step 2 80 and 97(passed 2 times) and step 3 78 (passed 1 time).I dont know if these rotations will give me residency but I know that americlerkship is good in getting u inside the network of attendings and u get exposure of patients in clinics and if ur attending is comfortable he will take u to hospital.Right now I not onlyhave a better idea of american health care but also I remeber names of a lot of medicines.I am happy I attained 3 fresh letters before scramble as well which I think is very important for the older graduates who the programs look with great suspicion.Iwent to free seminar of kaplan in nj and it is the kaplan who advised me to go to them.Thanks all folks.
Well I hope all these testimonials are true because honestly we have not seen much from Americlerkship yet. They started thier business less than a year go so everything should surface very soon (i hope whatever surfaces is good). Thats why I have told them that they must show their good intentions by unblocking the registration...that tell members how legit they are. These maybe legit testimonials but must show more than that. Some of Americlekship staff were little busy today at ValueMD...hope this does not reabeat again or it will backfire.
If Americlekship is honest then I wish them the best in their business. This site is here to help all of you...if americlerkship is really truthful then I ask them to please have your site registration unblocked now.
#32
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-05-08 23:55 posted by TheOne on 03-05-08 21:57
Interesting !!!
You both guys "gurpritmd & syed12" have joined our webiste Today, both were in the same corporation "Americlerkship", both had a long, personal statement-like story to share with us.
Good to have you here, guys!!! And let's see if "gurpritmd" will meet InSitu in good ol' chicago?
Interesting !!!
You both guys "gurpritmd & syed12" have joined our webiste Today, both were in the same corporation "Americlerkship", both had a long, personal statement-like story to share with us.
Good to have you here, guys!!! And let's see if "gurpritmd" will meet InSitu in good ol' chicago?
Who knows ..they maybe true testimonials. Lets wait and see, I honestly must say we have not yet seen much from them. The rep who've been here must become more active here and build some trust.
#33
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 03-06-08 13:08 I undsertand that it's hard for a An OLD grad to get any hands on expericne in the USA for MATCH of a residency,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, However to pay some one other then your Medical School $30,000 to call around and get someone oberservations or externships is never right,,,,,,,,,,,, Yes it's time consuming to call around hospitals your self and set up rotations but why give your $$$$ to some one When you can easliy dial the phone your self,,,,,,,,,,, I am assuming that IMG that is not from the USA should save all their money for interviews and ERAS NRMP ECFMG process,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
#34
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-06-08 13:57 Dear Dr reality 13, I paid around 8300 dollars for 24 months. It is aweful lot of money.My big issues were 2 first very old graduate, second no recent letter of recommendation.Also as a married guy and father of child I also wanted to keep my job which was relatively decent , working in a local hospital as part time ultrasound tech. I tried some externships in NY where I could commute but most of the programs dont have externships and even if they do as soon as u tell them u are graduate of 96 they back off. Even to apply for externship one or two programs asked me US letter of recommendation.It may be easier to get externship at far remote corner but I do not want to change my spot .First I and my wife are working and want to keep our jobs under all circumstances until I get residency.If somebody has lived close to NY city, they may know that how messy it is to commute to that city from NJ.There is no reliability of coming back from city on time. I would have surely lost my job if I had to commute to city.I am glad I am doing clinicals within half an hr to an hr distance and I could easily go to me job which I definitely want to keep.I just wanted to start from somewhere.Now with some letters in my hands I could look for hospital externship.My position now is better than it was 4 months ago.That all.Thanks
#35
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-06-08 14:01 I am happy with americlerkships.They gave me some start which I desperately need.
#36
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-07-08 02:51 posted by syed12 on 03-06-08 14:01
I am happy with americlerkships.They gave me some start which I desperately need.
I am happy with americlerkships.They gave me some start which I desperately need.
:) okk thankss
#37
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-07-08 02:54 posted by syed12 on 03-06-08 13:57
Dear Dr reality 13, I paid around 8300 dollars for 24 months. It is aweful lot of money.My big issues were 2 first very old graduate, second no recent letter of recommendation.Also as a married guy and father of child I also wanted to keep my job which was relatively decent , working in a local hospital as part time ultrasound tech. I tried some externships in NY where I could commute but most of the programs dont have externships and even if they do as soon as u tell them u are graduate of 96 they back off. Even to apply for externship one or two programs asked me US letter of recommendation.It may be easier to get externship at far remote corner but I do not want to change my spot .First I and my wife are working and want to keep our jobs under all circumstances until I get residency.If somebody has lived close to NY city, they may know that how messy it is to commute to that city from NJ.There is no reliability of coming back from city on time. I would have surely lost my job if I had to commute to city.I am glad I am doing clinicals within half an hr to an hr distance and I could easily go to me job which I definitely want to keep.I just wanted to start from somewhere.Now with some letters in my hands I could look for hospital externship.My position now is better than it was 4 months ago.That all.Thanks
Dear Dr reality 13, I paid around 8300 dollars for 24 months. It is aweful lot of money.My big issues were 2 first very old graduate, second no recent letter of recommendation.Also as a married guy and father of child I also wanted to keep my job which was relatively decent , working in a local hospital as part time ultrasound tech. I tried some externships in NY where I could commute but most of the programs dont have externships and even if they do as soon as u tell them u are graduate of 96 they back off. Even to apply for externship one or two programs asked me US letter of recommendation.It may be easier to get externship at far remote corner but I do not want to change my spot .First I and my wife are working and want to keep our jobs under all circumstances until I get residency.If somebody has lived close to NY city, they may know that how messy it is to commute to that city from NJ.There is no reliability of coming back from city on time. I would have surely lost my job if I had to commute to city.I am glad I am doing clinicals within half an hr to an hr distance and I could easily go to me job which I definitely want to keep.I just wanted to start from somewhere.Now with some letters in my hands I could look for hospital externship.My position now is better than it was 4 months ago.That all.Thanks
My brother-in-law in NY wanted to start an externship with americlerkships and he is asking if you can meet him in NY and help him answer some questions...can you arrange that syed12? He says he is willing to commute. Or that is not possible. He lives in Paterson NJ.
If not possible then I understand why...no problem
#38
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-07-08 20:02 Dear Insitu, I am not a representive of americlerkship, just a client.However Paterson is not far from the place where I live. If he has questions he can directly contact americlerkships or he can go to free seminar at newark,nj in kaplan center.He will find a lot of representatives and kaplan team there who can give the answers better than me b/c i dont run their business.Any person can have different experiences.I was just telling my experience.Some attendings are very cooperative ,some are little tough to handle but it is the patience which is more important to work with attendings just like in residency every attending has different temperament.I am just giving my experience. People can have different experiences with attendings.Americlerkships dont guarantee the letters. It is person's relationship with attending which help attain letter.Let me give u an example.During my first rotation in Psych I was working with one student from Caribbean School but she could not complete her rotation bec that doctor wanted a lot of work and interest in that field .She left in 3 weeks while I stayed there for 8 weeks and she was very happy with me and gave me a great letter.Also she took me to hospital almost every day.Thanks
#39
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-07-08 21:14 posted by syed12 on 03-07-08 20:02
Dear Insitu, I am not a representive of americlerkship, just a client.However Paterson is not far from the place where I live. If he has questions he can directly contact americlerkships or he can go to free seminar at newark,nj in kaplan center.He will find a lot of representatives and kaplan team there who can give the answers better than me b/c i dont run their business.Any person can have different experiences.I was just telling my experience.Some attendings are very cooperative ,some are little tough to handle but it is the patience which is more important to work with attendings just like in residency every attending has different temperament.I am just giving my experience. People can have different experiences with attendings.Americlerkships dont guarantee the letters. It is person's relationship with attending which help attain letter.Let me give u an example.During my first rotation in Psych I was working with one student from Caribbean School but she could not complete her rotation bec that doctor wanted a lot of work and interest in that field .She left in 3 weeks while I stayed there for 8 weeks and she was very happy with me and gave me a great letter.Also she took me to hospital almost every day.Thanks
Dear Insitu, I am not a representive of americlerkship, just a client.However Paterson is not far from the place where I live. If he has questions he can directly contact americlerkships or he can go to free seminar at newark,nj in kaplan center.He will find a lot of representatives and kaplan team there who can give the answers better than me b/c i dont run their business.Any person can have different experiences.I was just telling my experience.Some attendings are very cooperative ,some are little tough to handle but it is the patience which is more important to work with attendings just like in residency every attending has different temperament.I am just giving my experience. People can have different experiences with attendings.Americlerkships dont guarantee the letters. It is person's relationship with attending which help attain letter.Let me give u an example.During my first rotation in Psych I was working with one student from Caribbean School but she could not complete her rotation bec that doctor wanted a lot of work and interest in that field .She left in 3 weeks while I stayed there for 8 weeks and she was very happy with me and gave me a great letter.Also she took me to hospital almost every day.Thanks
He is going to be spending 1000s of dollars on this and a live example will help. Please provide us with your contact so you can schedule to meet. You seem to be so excited for americlerkships and sharing that excitement in person will help. He is willing to drive to a location close to you. Believe me I know you are not a rep, I can tell from the way you speak of them.
Also when he get to know you he will be able to locate you if the whole deal end up other than you described. lol JK
#40
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-07-08 21:39 posted by InSitu on 03-07-08 21:14
He is going to be spending 1000s of dollars on this and a live example will help. Please provide us with your contact so you can schedule to meet. You seem to be so excited for americlerkships and sharing that excitement in person will help. He is willing to drive to a location close to you. Believe me I know you are not a rep, I can tell from the way you speak of them.
Also when he get to know you he will be able to locate you if the whole deal end up other than you described. lol JK
He is going to be spending 1000s of dollars on this and a live example will help. Please provide us with your contact so you can schedule to meet. You seem to be so excited for americlerkships and sharing that excitement in person will help. He is willing to drive to a location close to you. Believe me I know you are not a rep, I can tell from the way you speak of them.
Also when he get to know you he will be able to locate you if the whole deal end up other than you described. lol JK
#41
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-07-08 21:48 posted by syed12 on 03-07-08 21:39
why would u locate me if deal doesnt work. This forum discussion is only for those who want to do their own judgement.I advise u instead of locating me u go to kaplan site. I was just searching they had some free event in manhattan today in kaplan center.u should have gone there so that u could ask ur queries.I also want to ask u tell me what other way of getting US letter.i want to take advantage as well.I called many programs in around july to find some externship but didnt get anything.i hope u tell me which hospital takes extern in ny and nj so that we dont have to waste money.Thanks
#43
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 03-08-08 11:06 This is how i know thier is something Fishiy about AmeriClership,,,,,,,,,,,,,You see when you are a MEd sctudent you always meet other student and speak to them about ur experiance,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, So DR. Syed12,,,,,,,,,,,,, you meet Insiute's cuzin, outside your hospital when you are done and you can speak to him for 10 mintus after you completed your day at you Externsihp so it doesnot affect your learning day ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I am sure When i was a MEd student last year i have spoken to many student that i never met in my life about my rotations and they did the same for me ,,,,YES every one is buzy but it's a natural thing to help help other Espaically in this type of work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,So please try,,,,,,,,,,,,
#44
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-08-08 11:43 posted by syed12 on 03-07-08 21:48
why would u locate me if deal doesnt work. This forum discussion is only for those who want to do their own judgement.I advise u instead of locating me u go to kaplan site. I was just searching they had some free event in manhattan today in kaplan center.u should have gone there so that u could ask ur queries.I also want to ask u tell me what other way of getting US letter.i want to take advantage as well.I called many programs in around july to find some externship but didnt get anything.i hope u tell me which hospital takes extern in ny and nj so that we dont have to waste money.Thanks
why would u locate me if deal doesnt work. This forum discussion is only for those who want to do their own judgement.I advise u instead of locating me u go to kaplan site. I was just searching they had some free event in manhattan today in kaplan center.u should have gone there so that u could ask ur queries.I also want to ask u tell me what other way of getting US letter.i want to take advantage as well.I called many programs in around july to find some externship but didnt get anything.i hope u tell me which hospital takes extern in ny and nj so that we dont have to waste money.Thanks
I said JK (just kidding)...
Its always better to actullay to talk to the people who purchased the experience and not who have provided it. We are talking about over 8k not $500 or $1000. Also other applicants were asked for 30k. Since you are so excited for your experince with Americlership then I dont see why not help you fellow medical applicants see if this externship is real, in a hospital. I am not saying that Americlerkship steals your money and disappears eventhough it has happened with other comapnies but I am asking if the extenship is really in a teaching environment and it will be indeed considered a UCSE. Hope you get my point.
#45
Re: AmeriClerkships syed12 - 03-08-08 20:26 I worked with 3 doctors to date.In all these places most of the work was in outpatient settings in clinics.In the first,the doctor asked me to meet in the hospital in the morning.I used to wait for her in the lobby then we used to do rounds.From there most of the work was in outpatient settings.In the second one was also in the outpatient settings except that few times I went with her in the hospital and nursing homes for quick rounds.Not every physician takes but some do.In this rotation too i went to hospital few times but not most of the times.Irrespective of the fact that most of the rotation was in outpatient,I still had a lot of chance to learn in primary care settings and I was able to get letterswhich showed that I worked with attendings in clinis and did rounds in the hospital. These letters I desperately needed .My externship is mainly outpatient however shadowing with attending can let u go to the hospital. and meet with people.If they have externship only in the hospital I donot know u can contact them.If u give me ur email address then i may think to meet.I am honest in my experience.The way u feel I felt too but wasting so much money match after match and even traveling for interviews,I realized nothing could be changed unless i get some decent USCE.I never said I would stick to them all my life but I just wanted to start from somewhere. Nowadays it is very difficult to get externship in only hospital settings.Even if some has they ask person to require so much things that one time I felt finding externship was even harder than residency.Atleast I went for interviews few times for residency.Thanks.
#46
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 03-09-08 20:01 Dear Dr.Syed12
TOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH explaining to a problem that can be sloved with 10 mintue meeting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,If you are soo buzy you should not have that much time to write and instead AGREE to meet with this person that is in your shoes,,,,,,,,,,,You are wondering why i am defending Dr. InSitu, because their is nothing in it for me ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i am on the other side ,,,,, I dont need any oberservations or UCSE ,, becasue i have completed my third and fourth year in USA hospitals,,,,,,,,,,,,, SO Please try to help this person, dont write ,,,,,,just meet with them and be a good person,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
#47
Re: AmeriClerkships radhamesramos - 03-10-08 09:21 Yeah! Don't be so defensive...it makes your case look worse
#48
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 03-10-08 10:12 posted by reality13 on 03-09-08 20:01
Dear Dr.Syed12
TOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH explaining to a problem that can be sloved with 10 mintue meeting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,If you are soo buzy you should not have that much time to write and instead AGREE to meet with this person that is in your shoes,,,,,,,,,,,You are wondering why i am defending Dr. InSitu, because their is nothing in it for me ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i am on the other side ,,,,, I dont need any oberservations or UCSE ,, becasue i have completed my third and fourth year in USA hospitals,,,,,,,,,,,,, SO Please try to help this person, dont write ,,,,,,just meet with them and be a good person,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Dear Dr.Syed12
TOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH explaining to a problem that can be sloved with 10 mintue meeting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,If you are soo buzy you should not have that much time to write and instead AGREE to meet with this person that is in your shoes,,,,,,,,,,,You are wondering why i am defending Dr. InSitu, because their is nothing in it for me ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i am on the other side ,,,,, I dont need any oberservations or UCSE ,, becasue i have completed my third and fourth year in USA hospitals,,,,,,,,,,,,, SO Please try to help this person, dont write ,,,,,,just meet with them and be a good person,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
reality13,
I have nothing to be mad about for him not accepting to meet because he is only a testimonial and he has no obligation to meet with anyone. Saying this I do thank you for your support.
Thank you Sayed and everyone who contributed to this thread and hope all learned from it.
#49
Re: AmeriClerkships reality13 - 03-10-08 10:34 You are rite Dr. Insitu,,,,,,,,,,,, However i just wanted him to realize that even someone like me who does not need any USCE and who is not so worried about residency , still finds the lack of not helping some with somthing such as UCSE expericnace that will cost other $$$$ why not help them with a small meeting ???????????????? I still this is FISHIYYYYYYYY
#51
Re: AmeriClerkships gurpritmd - 03-13-08 16:58 posted by InSitu on 03-05-08 21:03
Good for you. I am in chicago for the weekend visitng my brother. Can we meet in the institution where you are workig at?
Good for you. I am in chicago for the weekend visitng my brother. Can we meet in the institution where you are workig at?
Hello, everyone I apologise for taking so long. Sure I would be glad to meet insitu, I live in the w. suburbs of chicago, my e-mail is gurpritmd@hotmail. If anyone else would like to meet thats fine also. I am sure we can work out date and time. Weekends in the evenings would be the best. All of us have plenty of clinical experience or most of us, from our training in med.schools and countries,etc. The most helpful experience I found was that I was back in medical setting working with patients and collegues. I made contacts with residents (chiefs and others) and met a couple of physicians with contacts in teaching hospitals and ofcourse lor's. Also by meeting carribean medical students I got some info on hospitals that they go to for their rotations. This indeed I hope will be fruitful in finding more externships. AC, now in retrospect enabled all of these experiences for me. It is a place to at least start and they are legitimate, I don't know about things like releasing there business status or whatever but if u can afford it, go for it. Some people may be having too high of expectations from these externships. My experience is basic, they provide a clincal setting, what an individual does with it is up to them. There is no quarantee that you will get a lor but if you work hard and build a repoitre, I don't see why it won't happen. Next rotation Neuro. looking forward to it in May
#55
Re: AmeriClerkships trendy - 03-17-08 05:25 written by hungt at www.prep4usmle.com
Don't waste your money. I did 4 weeks of clinical clerkship with Americlerkships & it was the worst rotation I had ever had. I worked 60 hours a week & the doctor that I worked with did not even write me a letter of recommendation. I had to write my own letter & get her to sign it. During the 4 weeks I never got to come to the hospital. I spent 70% of my time with the doctor counseling people on bariatric (wt loss)stuff & selling people milk shake drinks for their diet. Don't believe anything Americlerkship states on its website. I moved from LA Cal to Cherry Hill NJ to do the clerkship. I spent a total of $5000 on housing, car rental & tuition. It was a complete waste of time & money. I found out when I applied for residency that unless clinical externship or clerkship is affiliated with a residency program, it does not mean much. If you want to do clerkship to get a letter of rec, you can just write one yourself and volunteer a couple weeks at your family doctor clinic then have him sign it.
I have nothing against Americlerkships or any similar companies out there. I just don't want people to waste their time and money like I did.
this is the link http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/60537/
#59
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 04-28-08 21:08 lol yes i think this has been goign forever. We have not seen too much negative yet from AMericlerckship so lets stop this thread and move on.
#61
Re: AmeriClerkships americlerkships - 10-22-08 04:32 Thank you everyone.
I never discourage healthy debates. For actual video documentaries from other IMGs, I invite you to visit http://www.americlerkships.com/morevideos.jsp. We've spent a lot of time and valuable resources to bring you these videos, and hope that you benefit from what all different IMGs, attending physicians, current residents, IMGs, ERAS applicants and myself have to offer you.
Dr. Mizani
#62
Re: AmeriClerkships sackatdoc - 10-22-08 07:22 offer in lieu of the huge cash, the worth of which is a doubtful entity, coz the big time publicity is given the name of offering benefit, whether it is really a benefit ,it is us to comment, this your service, you have all the right to tell whatever you like to.so no complains, just that the publicity isnt working that great, needs some more effective push from some smarter advertisors&inovators
#63
Re: AmeriClerkships mohhaider - 10-22-08 08:31 posted by americlerkships on 10-22-08 04:32
Thank you everyone.
I never discourage healthy debates. For actual video documentaries from other IMGs, I invite you to visit http://www.americlerkships.com/morevideos.jsp. We've spent a lot of time and valuable resources to bring you these videos, and hope that you benefit from what all different IMGs, attending physicians, current residents, IMGs, ERAS applicants and myself have to offer you.
Dr. Mizani
Thank you everyone.
I never discourage healthy debates. For actual video documentaries from other IMGs, I invite you to visit http://www.americlerkships.com/morevideos.jsp. We've spent a lot of time and valuable resources to bring you these videos, and hope that you benefit from what all different IMGs, attending physicians, current residents, IMGs, ERAS applicants and myself have to offer you.
Dr. Mizani
Why don't you show us some of e-mails of your testimonials ?I thhink it's better than other advertisment for us especially if it contains some native testimonials .
#64
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 10-22-08 09:55 Well I did not find a lot of negative from Amrikelrckships yet. They are inviting you to a local office and if interested I do recommend you to visit their office before you pay these thousands, get comfortable with them and talk with multiple live testimonials (face to face).
I still say just be careful with these externship companies. Many of them are bad and they may affected the good ones (if any left).
#65
Re: AmeriClerkships mohhaider - 10-22-08 10:34 Just to be fair,this service looks better than others .
Dr. InSitu,
I think it's not easy for those who live outside the US to visit this agency .May be someone who is intrested and live in US will do that .
#66
Re: AmeriClerkships sackatdoc - 10-23-08 10:02 looks better coz it is exorbitant, with so much money in hand, anybody can shine, but what i wanted to say that what that doc M... said in such a long post, it was of no use,it didnot convice me to spend 13k, sorry for him for his bad convincing skills
#67
Re: AmeriClerkships mohhaider - 10-23-08 16:29 Sackatdoc ,the guy did his best .Actally I respect him as he tried to show us some features of his service ,although many of us had questions ,we hope that he will post more .
#68
Re: AmeriClerkships imgandusmle - 04-22-09 02:17 Hi everyone,
I am currently attending live lectures at Kaplan and Dr. Mizani (and staff) were there on the first day to introduce their company. They partnered with Kaplan.
I think they are a legitimate business. I have no question about that. I just do not know how effective their programs are or how useful it is. I guess we are all just afraid to be paying a lot but not learning a thing. And that is a very valid concern. I have that too. I have not enrolled or anything. I'm thinking about it though. I hope more people with good or bad experiences with AClerkships post more here so we can have more information to work with.
The thing with presentations by these companies or any business is of course, it is one sided. We have got to hear the varied results from experiences of others.
That's all. :-)
#69
Re: AmeriClerkships adonis123 - 04-22-09 15:28 posted by imgandusmle on 04-22-09 02:17
Hi everyone,
I am currently attending live lectures at Kaplan and Dr. Mizani (and staff) were there on the first day to introduce their company. They partnered with Kaplan.
I think they are a legitimate business. I have no question about that. I just do not know how effective their programs are or how useful it is. I guess we are all just afraid to be paying a lot but not learning a thing. And that is a very valid concern. I have that too. I have not enrolled or anything. I'm thinking about it though. I hope more people with good or bad experiences with AClerkships post more here so we can have more information to work with.
The thing with presentations by these companies or any business is of course, it is one sided. We have got to hear the varied results from experiences of others.
That's all. :-)
Hi everyone,
I am currently attending live lectures at Kaplan and Dr. Mizani (and staff) were there on the first day to introduce their company. They partnered with Kaplan.
I think they are a legitimate business. I have no question about that. I just do not know how effective their programs are or how useful it is. I guess we are all just afraid to be paying a lot but not learning a thing. And that is a very valid concern. I have that too. I have not enrolled or anything. I'm thinking about it though. I hope more people with good or bad experiences with AClerkships post more here so we can have more information to work with.
The thing with presentations by these companies or any business is of course, it is one sided. We have got to hear the varied results from experiences of others.
That's all. :-)
What I may tell u about the americlerckships is that they post you with the private practioners not with the hospital ward Attendings.
So, in a sense ,u get the office practice experience not the inpatient experience.You can get an LOR from them,but I donot know how much useful an LOR from a private practitioner is.
Good Luck.
#70
Re: AmeriClerkships InSitu - 04-22-09 16:37 Ameriklerships is not partner with Kaplan. Few months ago they made that claim and some students called Kaplan and they said they dont have any relationship with them.
#71
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 03-21-10 23:53 Hello Everyone,
My name is Tony Saba and I represent Americlerkships, Advanced Colleges of America and ResidentRecruiters.com. which are all companies under the Americlerkships Medical Society. I would like to take this time to correct any wrong information that is being provided to IMG's in there search for a program that will guide them to residency. Americlerkships provides hands on insured clinical clerkships in 59 specialties across 48 states. We are directly affiliated with Kaplan, and any information stating otherwise is incorrect. If anyone still challenges this statement than I encourage you to contact us at Americlerkships and we can get on a conference call together with Kaplan to ensure that what we state is actually true and in no way misleading. We Hold live conferences at all the Live conference Kaplan centers, and we visit them regularly.
Our clinical rotations are offered in multiple settings, and if you request a certain setting, and it is available , you will get exactly that. We offer Teaching Hospital Guarantee (THG), Hospital Guarantee (HG) as well as a clinical office. Americlerkships also offers other services to make an average applicant an extremely competitive applicant. these service include document revision, mock match interviews, consults with our chief clinical officer and more.
Please feel free to contact Americlerkships at anytime at 877-632-5375 with any questions or concerns as we will be more than happy to guide in any way we know how. Also we encourage anyone to come down to Irvine Ca. to take a tour of our beautiful facility. We would love to have you.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges Of America
ResidentRecruiters.com
#72
Re: AmeriClerkships adonis123 - 03-22-10 02:05 posted by tonysaba on 03-21-10 23:53
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tony Saba and I represent Americlerkships, Advanced Colleges of America and ResidentRecruiters.com. which are all companies under the Americlerkships Medical Society. I would like to take this time to correct any wrong information that is being provided to IMG's in there search for a program that will guide them to residency. Americlerkships provides hands on insured clinical clerkships in 59 specialties across 48 states. We are directly affiliated with Kaplan, and any information stating otherwise is incorrect. If anyone still challenges this statement than I encourage you to contact us at Americlerkships and we can get on a conference call together with Kaplan to ensure that what we state is actually true and in no way misleading. We Hold live conferences at all the Live conference Kaplan centers, and we visit them regularly.
Our clinical rotations are offered in multiple settings, and if you request a certain setting, and it is available , you will get exactly that. We offer Teaching Hospital Guarantee (THG), Hospital Guarantee (HG) as well as a clinical office. Americlerkships also offers other services to make an average applicant an extremely competitive applicant. these service include document revision, mock match interviews, consults with our chief clinical officer and more.
Please feel free to contact Americlerkships at anytime at 877-632-5375 with any questions or concerns as we will be more than happy to guide in any way we know how. Also we encourage anyone to come down to Irvine Ca. to take a tour of our beautiful facility. We would love to have you.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges Of America
ResidentRecruiters.com
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tony Saba and I represent Americlerkships, Advanced Colleges of America and ResidentRecruiters.com. which are all companies under the Americlerkships Medical Society. I would like to take this time to correct any wrong information that is being provided to IMG's in there search for a program that will guide them to residency. Americlerkships provides hands on insured clinical clerkships in 59 specialties across 48 states. We are directly affiliated with Kaplan, and any information stating otherwise is incorrect. If anyone still challenges this statement than I encourage you to contact us at Americlerkships and we can get on a conference call together with Kaplan to ensure that what we state is actually true and in no way misleading. We Hold live conferences at all the Live conference Kaplan centers, and we visit them regularly.
Our clinical rotations are offered in multiple settings, and if you request a certain setting, and it is available , you will get exactly that. We offer Teaching Hospital Guarantee (THG), Hospital Guarantee (HG) as well as a clinical office. Americlerkships also offers other services to make an average applicant an extremely competitive applicant. these service include document revision, mock match interviews, consults with our chief clinical officer and more.
Please feel free to contact Americlerkships at anytime at 877-632-5375 with any questions or concerns as we will be more than happy to guide in any way we know how. Also we encourage anyone to come down to Irvine Ca. to take a tour of our beautiful facility. We would love to have you.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges Of America
ResidentRecruiters.com
So, u say that u provide clinical rotations to IMG's.How can u say that wen an applicant who has already graduated from a medical school is not supposed to touch patients except wen he/she is pursuing a residency training program.
Cud u please also furnish the list of the hospitals where u provide these clinical rotations?This because the applicants cud then verify regarding these positions with the hospitals.
Waiting for yur reply!
#73
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 03-23-10 12:39 posted by adonis123 on 03-22-10 02:05
So, u say that u provide clinical rotations to IMG's.How can u say that wen an applicant who has already graduated from a medical school is not supposed to touch patients except wen he/she is pursuing a residency training program.
Cud u please also furnish the list of the hospitals where u provide these clinical rotations?This because the applicants cud then verify regarding these positions with the hospitals.
Waiting for yur reply!
So, u say that u provide clinical rotations to IMG's.How can u say that wen an applicant who has already graduated from a medical school is not supposed to touch patients except wen he/she is pursuing a residency training program.
Cud u please also furnish the list of the hospitals where u provide these clinical rotations?This because the applicants cud then verify regarding these positions with the hospitals.
Waiting for yur reply!
Hello adonis123,
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
#74
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 03-23-10 13:30 posted by tonysaba on 03-23-10 12:39
Hello adonis123,
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
Hello adonis123,
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
Sorry for the duplicate, but in my last post there were weird characters, and I wanted to get rid of them.
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations for Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships Inc.
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
#75
Re: AmeriClerkships adonis123 - 03-24-10 02:50 posted by tonysaba on 03-23-10 13:30
Sorry for the duplicate, but in my last post there were weird characters, and I wanted to get rid of them.
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations for Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships Inc.
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
Sorry for the duplicate, but in my last post there were weird characters, and I wanted to get rid of them.
Per ECFMG, âthere continue to be obstacles and challenges for IMGs and those with whom they interact with respect to their full integration into American culture, American medical culture and the American healthcare system.â Reflectively, every year more than 3000 residents fail to finish residency, with anecdotal research that shows that the majority of such attrition may have been avoidable by simply providing a formal pre-residency acculturation orientation to our fellow international physicians. Additionally as clearly evidenced by the greater number of U.S. graduates seeking a relatively unchanged number of PGY-1 residency positions, IMGâs are finding it more difficult to secure interviews using USMLE scores and a recent graduation. Per Dr. Pedram Mizani, MD, a Family Physician and our Chief Clinical Officer, âWe have been noticing a growing trend of IMGâs with high USMLE scores (>90 and 1st attempt) remaining unable to secure sufficient number of interviews to statistically tip the match algorithm in their favour; the same applicants who could secure 7 interviews by applying to 70 programs are finding themselves applying to 150+ programs and securing just a handful of interviews, if fortunate.â This all means that all international physicians must step up their game, sharpen their focus and begin to learn what residency directors are looking for in residency applicants using 2010 evidence based research, including the significant emphasis thatâs being placed on revising the USMLE: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html.
I believe that there are significant confusion circling what residency programs mean by requiring IMGâs to show sufficient proof of U.S. Hands-on Clinical Experience prior to applying. Please note the following facts and pearls of wisdom:
A. According to a 10 year retrospective research conducted by American Academy of Medical Colleges, 8 of the top 29 resident selection criteria by Residency Directors had to do with an applicantâs performance during their U.S. clinicals, including elective and core specialties
B. Equally as important as hospital experience is an IMGâs ability to manage a patient well in outpatient settings, and to help them avoid being hospitalized. This is a VERY important point as most IMGâs with little U.S. hands-on clinical experience over-emphasize the need for hospital exposure for the sole reason of obtaining âface-timeâ with residency decision makers. You must think outside of this box: show that you have U.S. clinical experience in all settings, including Nursing Homes, Intensive Care Units, underserved areas, home health visits (typically during Family Medicine clinicals) so that youâll be viewed as a âbalancedâ applicant.
C. It is up to the IMG to provide the best type of clinicals possible. The following is typically how clinicals conducted by IMGs are viewed (#1 being the most effective, and #10 as the least effective):
1. Current practicing physician (licensed MD returning to residency, current resident or a fellow)
2. Insured medical student U.S. clinical rotations/clerkships (greater flexibility and educational freedom/understanding, better access to medical facilities and contractual agreements with hospitals, ability to conduct more invasive training under the auspices of being a medical student who needs to learn)
3. Insured hands-on clinical experience (similar to student clinicals, but no invasive procedures or comments about patient chief complaints; cases are discussed with physicians who AT ALL TIMES supervise each trainee during their patient interactions. IMGâs do not refer to themselves as âDoctorsâ, or do anything that would give patients the indication that they are responsible in any way in providing care to that patient - in BOTH inpatient as well as outpatient settings)
4. U.S. clinical experience/externships in an ancillary healthcare career through formal U.S. college education (i.e. Certified Medical Assisting, Advanced Medical Assisting, Registered Nursing, paramedics, etc.)
5. Clinical exposure to U.S. patients in U.S. military settings (the physicians are trained in the U.S. and the facilities somewhat mimic our national healthcare infrastructure, but limited in cultural dynamics, insurance exposure and civilian style patient care)
6. Clinical exposure in English speaking countries (Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, etc.) that may or may not resemble the patient-centered type of medicine practiced in the U.S.) Please note that unfortunately, the U.S. is a highly litigious society, so your pre-residency training should include exposure and preparation for such events.
7. Clinical research (somewhat limited in exposure to a variety of patients, and variety of settings; typically single problem/subject focused)
8. Continuing Medical Education and retreats (https://nf.aafp.org/Cme/CmeCenter/Default.aspx?navid=cme+center; but limited in exposure to patients, if any)
9. Masters in Public Health or related fields (the clinical exposure has greater emphasis on the business of medicine and not the clinical aspects, which residency programs care about)
10. Observerships within renowned Graduate Medical Education Departments/residency programs
D. Donât overlook the importance of having your residency documents professionally reviewed, and corrected for accuracy and grammar. An applicant may have the GREATEST clinical experience and personal history, but it doesnât exist if itâs not effectively communicated in his/her residency application. A professionally put together application (including review of your Common Application Form and Personal Statements) is imperative to being considered as a viable candidate, versus one that looks identical to the other 30,000+ applicants!
E. NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH A PATIENT WITHOUT INSURANCE; you should not even risk it as itâs not worth losing your entire career over it, when there are legal clinical placement services through organizations. Just remember that there are legal âwatch-dogsâ all over the U.S. waiting for someone to do the wrong thing; just click on http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=malpractice+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS357US357&q=malpractice+suits+against+doctors for an example.
F. Do not obtain clinicals with a close friend or a family member (especially if they share your last name), as this may indicate that there wasnât a formal structure such as an affiliation agreement, goals and expectations, formal clinical evaluations and most importantly, insurance against medical liability cases.
G. Do build your network of physicians early, and begin to secure U.S. Letters of Recommendations by no later than 18 months before your planned residency start. According to the Journal of Academic Medicine, 73% of Internal Medicine Residency Directors found foreign Letters of Recommendation âuselessâ... so why waste your precious allocations of 4 Letters of Recommendation to documents that directors find useless? As a rule of thumb, you may solicit for one Letter of Recommendation per 4 to 6 weeks of hands-on clinical experience.
H. Observerships are just that: you observe! You donât speak, touch, discuss, or interact in any way with a patient. Some states may even forbid you to talk about a patient with the treating physician while the patient is still in the office/hospital (so that no one alters the decision making of a licensed physician). Therefore although this term is well known to all residency directors, it is not an experience that is highly sought after by them (least favourable clinical experience). Additionally, no research has ever been able to prove that conducting Observerships in a teaching hospital equals interviews at those hospitals, or residency placement security. Any LOR obtained will not be sufficient in the eyes of the Program Director because it does not show your clinical abilities and patient interaction skills in any way.
I. Pay particular attention to what LORâs you attach to each program youâre applying to: it is generally recommended that your LOR portfolio be relevant to the sequence of specialties that youâll be rotating through in your PGY-1. For example if applying to Family Medicine, send 2 LORâs from U.S. practicing Family Physicians, 1 LOR from a U.S. practicing Paediatrician or Psychiatrist, and 1 LOR from OB/GYN or Internist. Do not send all 4 LORâs from Family Physicians as this would make your application unbalanced.
J. You are applying for a job; donât forget this! Therefore, you will be expected to interview as you would if you were applying to any other professional position (with the exception that of course, you need to show medical expertise for the level that youâre applying to). The burden of proof is upon the applicant to show that he/she is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. The biggest fear of Residency Directors (as put so well in a residency position job offer letter in the 2010 Scramble) is for the incoming intern to âNOT BURN OUR HOUSE DOWNâ i.e. have a great attitude and come with experience.
K. A record 16,000 U.S. senior medical students participated in the 2010 Match, with more than 9% increase in U.S. medical school seniors who will enter residency training in Family Medicine when compared to 2009 alone (http://www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2010/100318.htm). Additionally according to the NRMP, 2010 was the largest Match in history: 30,543 applicants participatedâ655 more than last year and 3,800 more than in 2006. However the number of residency positions has not increased at the same rate: there were 382 more first-year positions available this year than last year, and 1,150 more than were available four years ago⦠a 3:1 discrepancy when compared to the rise of residency applicants. More than 95 percent (21,749) of the first-year positions were filled during this Match. Therefore, pre-residency U.S. clinical experience is mattering more and more as the number of residency applicants competing for the same number of residency positions continues to increase.
L. Certain medical boards have strict limitations on what types of clinicals may be conducted by IMGâs prior to residency, if any. For example, California, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico strictly forbid IMGâs from conducting any sort of clinicals by IMGâs, unless in a formal teaching institution or in a certified profession (i.e. Registered Nursing, Medical Assisting, etc.)
M. Research shows that physicians tend to end up practicing within 20 miles of where they establish their physician mentor network, so pay particular attention to where you would like to ultimately practice medicine in relation to where you request to conduct your clinicals. AmeriClerkships Medical Society members has more than 550 Affiliations with U.S. clinical sites, including formal agreements with hospitals, teaching hospitals, nursing homes and surgical centers so to be able to provide you with the most well balanced combination of clinicals as possible. Our trainees get to choose where theyâd like to conduct their clinicals, therefore the statements made by the previous writer/post alleging that âIMGâs will be in a rural areasâ is not true (at least not true for Americlerkships Medical Society). The only place we cannot provide hands-on clinical experience is in California, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, due to state specific regulations in accordance with the limitations imposed by their respective Medical Board.
N. Contrary to common belief, insured U.S. hands-on clinicals are VERY AFFORDABLE and the MOST EFFECTIVE measure an IMG can take in order to distinguish him/herself from the record number of residency applicants: at an average out of pocket cost of $8.50/hr (which includes IMG specific hands-on medical liability insurance and clinical coordination/scheduling/management), an IMG is able to gain immediate access to fully supervised clinical settings and begin their U.S. clinical experience, while letting AmeriClerkships manage the relationships, agreements, insurance and logistics of each clinical assignment.
O. Not all medical liability insurances are the same: we have seen insurance companies selling âAncillary Healthcare Medical Liability Insuranceâ to MEDICAL GRADUATES, as if they were medical students, nursing students or medical assistants. This will not provide you coverage for hands-on clinicals as someone whoâs already graduated from medical school. Make sure that your insurance binder provides explicit language for protecting you against any negative event during your clinicals as a Graduate, and during âhands-onâ experiences (not just Observerships). Also, the medical malpractice insurance of your supervising attending physician will not cover you; it only covers the licensed physician.
P. Last but not least â according to the Journal of Academic Medicine, there are 3 Main IMG Internship Performance Indicators: performance on standardized examinations (USMLEâs), type and qualify of clinical exposure during the 24 months immediately preceding your anticipated residency (please refer to the 10 types of clinicals above), and your performance during the actual interviews. Do well in all 3 and you should be considered as a top contender for any residency position.
Q. Ask, if you have any questions: Its always free to ask any of AmeriClerkships
Therefore please, PLEASE get professional help if you donât know the U.S. healthcare system and the process of residency entry (plus all the newest tips). Donât attempt to set up clinicals on your own as most likely youâll end up regretting your decision, since not all physicians are friendly to the concept of IMGâs conducting hands-on clinicals. Please always ask physicians who recently secured residency positions about residency; a physician who secured a residency 15 years ago and is not currently a player in the field of medical education/residency will most likely have out-dated information. Last but not least, you can always contact us for free help and direction; I do not suggest you go about getting into residency on your own.
Best wishes to all aspiring physicians.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations for Americlerkships Medical Society:
- Americlerkships Inc.
- Advanced Colleges of America
- ResidentRecruiters.com
Wy don't u furnish the list of the hospitals where u provide these clinical rotations?This because the applicants cud then verify regarding these positions with the hospitals.
Waiting for yur reply!
#76
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 04-06-10 12:41 Hello Adonis 123 and our fellow physicians,
Sorry for my delay in reposting but I had written a response to this post and I sent it but I guess it never went through, My Apologies.
The reason why Americlerkships does not furnish this information to our prospective clients is because of a few reasons.
1. We respect the privacy of our physicians and hospitals that we are affiliated with and would not want to break that trust for any reason. We hand select each attending with the highest amount of credentials across the United States to ensure the level of U.S. hands on insured clinicals are above expectation. They have trusted us with providing them qualified clinical trainees and to guarantee we are not just providing their information to anyone who asks for it, and in return they continue their amazing duties of a physician and teacher and help our IMG's become better prepared for residency.
2. Receiving hundreds to thousands of phone calls regarding rotations, or observerships, or anything in that nature becomes overwhelming for a physician as well as a hospital. They do not have the time to qualify these physicians over the phone and answer any questions they may have. Imagine if you provided your telephone number to anyone who needed to contacted you, or you posted it on this forum and all over the internet for everyone to have and you were a Physician offering clinical rotations for IMG's in FM for example. You would be overwhelmed with qualified and unqualified applicants, People just wanting information, or callers that are calling on behalf of people, and are not the Graduates themselves. I am sure you get my point.That is why that information isnt found easily over the web. I do not recommend attempting contacting hospitals and physicians on your own as your results and efforts may be frustrating, timely, and inconclusive. Even if you do find a hospital who answered your phone call and gave you the opportunity to come in and observe with the physician, that is all you will be doing, Observing. Program Director with discard this portion , and not consider it as rotations because you did not interact with the patient, you did not prove your ability to handle the situations that were in front of you. You must have Insured Hands on Clinicals from a U.S. Licensed Practicing Physician no older than 12 months old.
Americlerkships cannot provide any of this information to our clinical trainees unless Fully Enrolled into our program. We appreciate your understanding in this sensitive matter.We hope that if you have any questions regarding the information I have provided, or any other information that you would like to know more about including residency, clinical rotations, LOR's, program director criteria etc. Please feel free to contact us at 877-632-5375 or US 949-579-8090 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges of America
ResidentRecruiters.com
#77
Re: AmeriClerkships docraj - 04-13-10 14:59 I spoke to AmeriClerkships. They seem to be reluctant to answer specific questions about their success rate in matching IMG's.
#78
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 04-16-10 18:25 Hello Docraj,
Please visit our website at www.americlerkships.org and go to our success stories section. There you will find the names and stories of people who have successfully matched using our services. Also if you would like, we have names of references that we can provide you that you can contact in regards to their experience with our company and our services. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions, and i will be glad to help
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges of America
Residentrecruiters.com
#79
Re: AmeriClerkships imgadvocate1 - 05-12-10 18:04 Hello everyone, we are not reluctant to share any information at all. These numbers are difficult to calculate because of the lack of response we get from a portion of our Alumni, but we have had amazing success in the 2010 Match as well. Here are some emails from my doctors
Hi Molly,
sorry for the late reply.I am on holiday in India and am getting back to the US in early april.
I accepted a prematch at the neurology residency of the university of xxxxxxxxx.
Will fill you in on the details when I return home.
Nevertheless,your assistance has been invaluable in the whole residency process.
Thank you!
Warm regards
Jhanvi
Hi Molly,
It's good to hear from you. Everything is going very well, I got my Step 3 score in December. I got a score of 92. Last week I was offered a position on a Residency Program in Internal Medicine. At interview they were very impressed by my Americlerkship experience, so thanks for everything you have done.
I'm now doing my rotation with Dr xxxxxxxx here in Atlanta and I'm enjoying it very much.
Best wishes,
Randa.
How are you?
I wanted to let you know that I'm doing fine and have mostly inpatient encounters.
I have great attending doctors and very friendly trainees that are rotating with me.
Itâs funny that when I asked all of my friends who were already in US, about doing or not doing this clerkship, they gave me very sceptical feedback.
Now they are surprised to hear from me that that these electives are so beneficial.
I think if some of them will not match this year they will follow my path and do these clerkships.
Gvantsa
These are a few examples for you of our successful doctors. I appreciate the feedback our doctors have given in this thread, I think questioning someone's ethics or legitimacy because they aren't comfortable meeting a complete stranger for lunch is....for lack of a better word ridiculous. Here is an interesting webpage you may also want to visit to see more feedback on our program
http://www.usmle-forums.com/externships-observerships-clerkships/1420-paid-externships-imgs.html
Molly.Fraser@AmeriClerkships.org
Senior Residency Strategist
949.579.8090
#80
Re: AmeriClerkships docraj - 05-21-10 19:26 I Have a 78 1st attempt, 80 4th and a 75 step 3 onthe second. I hope This wil give me the boost I need.
#81
Re: AmeriClerkships imgadvocate1 - 06-11-10 12:49 You will most certainly need to increase your residency qualifications by proving your clinical ability in the US. Not all programs believe that good test taking abilities are what make a good doctor, in order to appeal to these programs you have to show your clinical strengths. You can contact me directly if you would like to speak with me further regarding placement. It is currently very late in the year to apply and begin before the 2011 application process begins. I will be happy to check and see what we have.
#83
Re: AmeriClerkships tonysaba - 07-01-10 14:11 Hello Docraj,
Please feel free to contact us by either going to www.americlerkships.org or calling Ms. Molly Fraser at 949.579.8090 or you may email her at Molly.Fraser@AmeriClerkships.org. She is our Senior Residency Strategist and will be more than happy to help. Thank You
Tony Saba
Online Public Relations
Americlerkships Medical Society
Americlerkships
Advanced Colleges of America
Residentrecruiters.com
Page 1