Canadian clinical electives are of vital importance to CaRMS. Most programs require 6-8 weeks of Canadian experience, and this is the time to get it. Most schools will only accept you if you are in your final year (this includes the summer before final year). Read on to get tips about how to get an elective, what to do on elective, and what to do afterwards!
Getting an Elective
-getting an elective is frustrating! Politely get in touch with the person responsible – phoning a real person works better than email (with the time change, this can be hard). Always be polite, and understanding that there are likely 100’s of other people doing the same thing and the person at the other end of the phone wants to tear their hair out.
-as IMG’s you are likely the last to be assorted into electives, but make sure you apply as soon as the application opens.
-**applications are going to be centrally streamlined for Canada through https://www.afmcstudentportal.ca/ **
-be aware parents will need to be involved with paperwork etc. as you are overseas
-ask for help/potential preceptors from ANYONE you know in the medical community
-apply early, apply early, apply early!
-you will need to complete immunization forms for each application. Do them once and photocopy them multiple times and keep them. You will need the records later in life.
During an Elective
-meet with the program director of ANY programs you are considering
-have your CV, clinical resume, and a passport photo together to hand to them/their secretary (your “about me” package, discussed here)
-be honest with what your future plans might be. For example, on an OBGYN elective, a nurse introduced me to the previous head of FM as I told her I was considering that as well.
-be polite to everyone, work as a team with any other students there
-Know your stuff – if you’re doing an ER elective, review Emerg in Toronto Notes, look up procedures online etc.
After an Elective
-Write thank you’s to your preceptors and any directors you met, or any person who you asked to write a reference letter
–DO NOT send a potential reference a gift BEFORE the reference letter is done and in CaRMS (this can put referees in an awkward situation)
-keep photocopies of your evaluations (if your school doesn’t have an official one, make one on your school’s letterhead for your preceptors to fill in)
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