Why do an Elective?? Is it necessary? What is the Benefit? & What if i cannot get one!!!

Why do an Elective?? Is it necessary? What is the Benefit? & What if i cannot get one!!! 

Well this is the Most frequently asked question to me by my 4th & 5th year followers all over the World. Many in this Group are Apprehensive as to what is the Significance of these 'things' & How to Get one & What to do if We End up not getting Any!!!

So here we are in this Post to Discuss about these Questions from you guys ;)

So Let's Begin,,,

• What Exactly is a Clerkship and what is an Elective?

Basically Clerk-ships are Clinical Rotations in Wards as a Part of the Clinical Learning Procedure which We all do at our Respective Medical Schools in 3rd, 4th or 5th years as the Case may be. All Students undergo clerk-ships at their Med Schools in Medicine Ward, Surgery Ward, Obs & Gynae Wards, Peds & so on. On the other Hand an ELECTIVE is a Clinical Rotation of OUR OWN CHOICE that we participate in with our will to get Some Clinical Experience in some Specialty of our Interest at a Foreign Institution. So You Guys will have to apply for Electives to get USCE (United States Clinical Experience) & not CLERK-SHIPS.
BUT, Yes but!!, 

Many Hospitals in US now use these terms interchangeably. SO We hereby giving full Respect to this fact will Do the same & Use them interchangeably for ELECTIVES.  

• Why Do an Elective/Clerkship?

The Bottom-line Purpose of Having a USCE to most International Medical Students is to Show it in Your "RESUME" for your Residency Interviews & Get Some Good LoRs. But Seriously, You Get to know the functioning of a US based Hospitals. You Learn to Interact with Patients, how to talk to them, How to take histories, How to Create a Rapport with Both the Patient & the Medical team including Nurses & Other Doctors & Hospital Staff. You do all that a US 4rth (final) Year Student will do in Medical School during his Rotation in that Particular Department. For Example in an IM(Internal Medicine) Elective you will Participate in 'Ward Rounds', Present Cases to the Attending & Residents, Take Histories, Do Physical Examinations & Do Almost Everything what an American Med Student will be Doing during his IM Hospital Rotation in his final year of MBBS. So You Learn as Well as Perform All Duties at Par of an American MBBS Student. In Addition you can participate in Seminars, Presentations & all other Activities the Department offers at your own will. Not to mention the most important thing is the CONTACTS you will be making, not only with the Attending & Residents but many many others at the institution who may be of Use in one way or the other. If an Attending who holds a Good Position in that School is impressed by your performance he can not only write you a Great LoR but also Personally Recommend you to a program at the same or Different Institution. Plus you may as well Get Chances to do some Publications too in the Same Institutions e.g. at Harvard & other Reputed Places. Besides that The Interactive & Communicative Skills you will be developing are of course rewarding. 

BOTTOMLINE while putting you in a Rank order list, The Program Director knows US hospitals are not totally ‘alien’ to you. So it is always good to have SOME kind of an USCE (Unites States Clinical experience) in any form. But as we are focusing here on Clerkships so let’s just focus on them.

• What if i Do Electives in UK or Canada or Any other Country??

---Continued in our Book.

These were some of the Questions from the Second Chapter named 'FAQs' from our Book. If you want to get answers to more questions regarding electives, Check out our Book on Electives. The ost Comprehensive text on Electives.View the full index here.

P.S- Still i would love to answer a question here for you guys for free & that is 

• What if i do not get one????

Well friends, no need to Panic. It's completely okay. Majority of IMGs Submit a USCE of Observerships & if lucky enough an Externship or a Research (too good). So Do Not think that your chances are Drastically down. Nothing like that. As these experiences also make you aware fo the Health care system Functioning in the US and hold good Value contrary to the myth that 'observerships' are useless. NO THEY ARE NOT. They are a Great Asset in your Resume & You Must go for them. I Can Write an Endless List of IMGs geting Matched who had Only Observerships as USCE. But Still , because Elective is a 'HANDS ON EXPERIENCE' It Seriously is a Big Deal. So DO NOT Miss an Opportunity while in your Final Year. Apply, Try & If you get one, You are Seriously Blessed. But do not get demotivated if you do not get it. Remember, Your Duty is only to try your Best. Leave the Rest on God. I Hope this Topic was useful for you.

If you have any more Queries or Doubts, Do not hesitate to Contact me or ask me on my facebook Page & You can also Inbox me if you want a One to One Consultation Only.

Anyways, In order to Know more About electives Get a Plethora of Information about Electives. Check out our Book 'US Clinical Electives A to Z'  on lulu.com. You can also buy the Book from iBookstore now. Install the iBooks app from istore & you can get the Book from there.

Okay friends, Hope to See you Soon with a New topic of Interest on my Blog. Keep Believing!!
All the Best!! (y)
:)

FAQs for Beginners

THESE ARE SOME 'FAQ's for Beginners who want a first hand Idea about What USMLE is & How to Start!! I hope You find it Useful. Let me Know if you want to know anything else, by Inboxing me or Posting Your Querry on my Timeline on facebook at 

https://www.facebook.com/USMLEtoResidency   

P.S - I suggest Please Read it from Below upwards. :)

(New) Q22. When is the Best time to take Step 1?

I have added this Question as this is also a frequent query in Newbies & Beginners as to is their some Specific Slot or time-Period when taking Step 1 is Easy, Better or Gives a Better Overall Score. Well, In one Sentence i would say, the Answer to this Question is a simple plain 'No'. There is No Slot, Better then Others Now, Earlier though may be it was. The Explanation to this is that the Fresh American Graduates who finish their Graduation in May-June take Step 1 in this May-august Session while Many take off a Summer and Wait for ome time to Prepare. So it was considered that If you take a Step in this Slot you would be Compared against these freshers who usually Do not Perform that Good & Your "2-Digit Score " then may appear Higher & Good compared to these test takers. Although this Judgement or Assumption was Also Wrong as per many as adding up the large numbers of IMGs & Other AMGs who might also be taking an exam in the same slot the difference may just not be as was assumed by some. ANYHOW,, That was PAST.  NOW Starting April 2013, THERE IS NO MORE 2-DIGIT SCORE EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT of any test taker. Even those who gave the Steps before April 1, 2013 & requesting for a Transcript on or after this Date do not Get a 2-Digit Score. NRMP had already about 2 Years ago had Stopped Sending your 2-Digit Scores to Individual Programs. So Basically Now Everyone is Assessed on a Simple, Clean & fair 3-Digit Score which is a simple Statistical Score/assessment of How Many Questions you did Right on the Exam. No more Percentiles. So their is no Confusion for Program Directors t compare different test takers over place & time. So finally in Simple Words, You Just have to taje the Test When you feel You are "Well Prepared" & have Gone through the topics Well & thoroughly & are Confident enough ( :p). So i hope this helps to Answer your Querry. Just Prepare Well & take it Anytime when you feel Confident. All the Best. God Bless You... :)
P.S- You are Eligible for Step 1 & Step 2 CK once you have Cleared the Basic Sciences of Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology from your Medical School. e.g. After Clearing 2nd Professional Year in India. 

Q21. Where Can i Get Information about Clinical Elective/Clerkships in the US? How to Apply  & Where to Apply, Cost, Documents Needed& Everything Else A to Z?

Read My e-Book on Clinical Electives in the US.
You can find it at
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/usmle2residency

Q20. What Books or Resources Should i follow for Step 1?

There are No Recommended Books by the NBME for the USMLE. So No one will say anything Assertively for it, But i can give a List of Resources i used & are Time Tested & High Yield.

• Kaplan's Lecture Notes
• Goljan's Rapid Review for Pathology
• Goljan's Audio Lectures
• Kaplan's Video Lectures Specially on Pharmacology, Physiology & Behavioral Sciences.
• BRS Books( optional) , Behavioral Sciences is Awesome.
• BRS Behavioral Sciences (Best as i said)
• FIRST AID - MUST DO, A to Z, Twice, thrice as many times you want to.
• USMLEWorld QBank, and others like Kaptest, USMLERx etc. if you have time or want to.
• Pre-Test Books
• Rest the list is endless, The more you, know & Understand the better. UWorld will give a Better idea of how to focus yourself i guess. 

Q19. How Much time does it take to Get a Residency after i have Cleared the Steps?

It is Variable but this link would give you an idea of the Sequence of events for those who want to start a Residency in June 2013. 

http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/2013-timeline.html 

So this shows that they have to start applying and must be ready preferably by August 2012.

Q18. How do i Begin my Step 1 or Step 2 CK/CS Application?

In order to Begin your Step 1/ Step 2 Application you must first be registered with the ECFMG. Go to the IWA Section of the On-Line Services Section of the ECFMG Website @

https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=iwa 

& Click on the link to establish a New Account. Do Go through all the instructions Very Very Carefully before Proceeding  It's an easy process. Fill up the form & You will get your unique USMLE/ECFMG ID Number & Password within a week almost. After that Login to your IWA Account & it will show you a Link to "Begin a New Application for Step1/step2.." Click on it & Proceed. The online part of the application will begin & AGAIN, Go through the instructions link given on the LEFT SIDE of the PAGE. The online form has 23 items after which you will be prompted to the payment page & then they will show you your form 186. Download & print it, then fill it up & send it to the ECFMG. Once they have processed both the online & Written Part of the form (which will take approximately 2-3 weeks) You will receive your Scheduling Permit which contains instructions on how to Schedule an Appointment with the "Pro metric (the testing Agency)" & Select a Specific Date for your Exam in the Selected SLOT you Chose while filing up the Online Application in the IWA. It's EASY. Schedule an appointment & Go take the test. You are also allowed to take a ONE TIME Extension of the Eligibility Period Using the IWA again. it will extend your slot from 3 months to 6 months adding the next 3 months to it by paying just 65 USD. After that you can only start a New Application.

Check out my Video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ddoI6PPsg&feature=g-user-lpl&list=PLvbXI0OKsSWj0hR30YKBkUODRlu7K5nth

Q17. Where Can i Get USMLE type Questions for Practice??

There are a Number of Online & Paper Back Resources Available But here i Will Mention the Most Popular Ones.

1. Pre-Test: 

This is a Very Very Useful PaperBack Book Series. I Personally found the Questions & the Explanations Very Usefull. They were Quite Useful for me to Revise the Concepts as well as Reinforce the into My Mind. & ABOVE ALL they are all Topic or I should Say Chapter Wise. ;) So You can try them during your Regular Course Side By Side. 

2. USMLEWorld QBank: 

This is THE BEST Qbank as Per me. I Regret Having Started it very "Late" after i had finished my first Read. But I think it is Great to Start it asap & do it Side by Side also. Taking a 6 month subscription & doing it side by side & even "Twice" is also totally worth having spent your Money on the Right thing, as i feel from my experience. The Questions & their EXPLANATIONS are Very High Yeild as well as Cover all the Concepts tested on the Steps. You Can choose to to take a Timed or Untimed Test, Select Topics & Systems to be tested, Number of Questions to be Tested & Make Notes for Every Question. They Give Analysis By Giving Percentages & Percentiles(Overall & test wise) Compared to Other Test takers. Very Useful. Check out my Video on USMLE World at 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlEFqwjLIwM 

or Visit their Website at

https://www.usmleworld.com/

3. Kaplan QBank: 

This has been Given Very Very Good Reviews by Many. No Personal Experience but a Highly Useful one as per many. So i suggest Checking it Out In ADDITION to USMLEWorld if you have time.Here's the link , 

http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/index.html 

4.USMLERx: 

Another Highly Rated QBank by Many. So We have these Resources.

Q15. How long does it take to get into a Residency after i have Cleared my Step 1 & 2??

It is Variable but this link would give you an idea of the Sequence of events for those who want to start a Residency in June 2013. http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/2013-timeline.html So this shows that they have to start applying and must be ready preferably by August 2012.

Q14. Where can i get Answers to Any other Unanswered Querries of mine?

Follow Me at
https://www.facebook.com/USMLEtoResidency
& Inbox or Timeline me any more questions you wish to get answers of. We will try our Best to Provide you the Best Possible Answer.

Q13. What is ECFMG?

It the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. It is the Sole body Dealing with Issues of IMGs from applying for steps to interviews via ERAS. Follow the Online Services Section & other Stuff about ECFMG @ their Website http://ecfmg.org/

Q12. What are NBMEs or NBME Self Assessments?

NBMEs are Self assessment exams Conducted by National Board of Medical Examiners. These allow you to assess your Level of preparedness for the Final Exam & are a Must do in My Suggestion before you sit for the Actual exam. NBME 7 & 13 are considered best predictors of your score but all are Good. Try Doing at least 3-4 before the Actual exam. :) You can find them at

https://nsas.nbme.org/nsasweb/servlet/mesa_main

or check out my Video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoNQX-mp6EE&feature=g-user-lpl&list=PLvbXI0OKsSWj0hR30YKBkUODRlu7K5nth

Q11. What is Step 2 CS? What is tested & how is the Exam Conducted?

Follow this link
http://usmle.org/step-2-cs/#format

Q10. What topics are tested on Step 2 CK?

Follow the link
http://usmle.org/step-2-ck/#contentoutlines

Q9. What are the topics tested on STEP 1?

Follow this link
http://usmle.org/step-1/#content-outlines

Q8. Can I retake a Step that I passed to raise my score?

No. If you pass a Step, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with the time limit of a medical licensing authority for the completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program.
See USMLE Bulletin: Eligibility - Retakes on www.usmle.org FAQs

Q7. If I fail a USMLE Step, Can I take it again?

Yes you can but you have only 6 attempts to Pass it Now. Read the Previous Question or go to www.usmle.org for detailed info.

Q6. Is there a limit on the number of times Steps can be taken??

An examinee is ineligible to take a Step or Step Component if the examinee has made six or more prior attempts to pass that Step or Step Component, including incomplete attempts. The effective date for the six-attempt limit depends upon whether an examinee has taken any Step or Step Component (including incomplete attempts) before January 1, 2012. Examinees who have NOT taken any Step or Step Component before January 1, 2012 If you have not taken any Step or Step Component before January 1, 2012, the six-attempt limit is in effect for all exam applications that you submit on or after January 1, 2012.

Q5. Where can I obtain a copy of the USMLE Bulletin of Information??

The USMLE Bulletin can be found at http://www.usmle.org/bulletin. You have the option of viewing the bulletin online or downloading a PDF file.

Q4. Is there Any fee to be Paid During the Residency?

No, Instead You will be Given a Stipend Ranging from 4200-6000 USD pm. There may or may not be Housing Allowance, Moonlighting and other Benefits along with. ;) 

Q3. How Much will be the Cost of Appearing in USMLE?

Fee for Step 1 is Approximately 790$ excluding Surcharge which is Approx 140$ making a total of About 920-950$ depending upon the COuntry you take your test in. Fee for Step 2 CK is the Same. Fee for Step 2 CS is Approximately 1355 USD. No international test delivery Charge as this is Held in the United States itself. :) The Cost of Step 3 is 730 US$ except in the states of Iowa(780$) , South Dakota (880$) & Vermont (765$) Rest add to it a Variable Travel & staying expenditure for CS or Clinical Experience or Observerships ranging anywhere from 1000-5000 USD. But then again its Highly VARIABLE.

Q2. How do i Apply for the USMLE?

Step 1 and Step 2 applications must be submitted to the NBME if you are a student or graduate of a medical school in the United States and Canada & to the ECFMG if you are a student or graduate of a medical school outside the United States and Canada. IMGs (Outside USA & CANADA) have to apply through ECFMG using IWA(Interactive Web Access). If you do not have an Account make one at this site.

https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=iwa
See this Video to Know More:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ddoI6PPsg&feature=g-user-lpl&list=PLvbXI0OKsSWj0hR30YKBkUODRlu7K5nth

& then Once you are Certified(which takes 2-3 weeks) You can Anytime Start an Application for the Steps. For more info go to,
http://usmle.org/apply/

Q1. What is the USMLE?

USMLE refers to the United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE®) which is a three-step examination to Get Medical Licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.