On March 28th, 2023 the COSIGxCCOR team hosted a panel of residents to discuss experience with visiting electives. After cancelling visiting electives for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 classes, the AFMC Board of Directors approved the resumption of visiting electives for the class of 2024. After three years of pandemic restrictions, it was an honour to have two residents provide guidance and thoughtful advice to medical learners as they undertake and plan their visiting electives.
Our first speaker was Dr. Anastasia Faggioni who did her medical education at NOSM and is currently a PGY-3 at the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Our second speaker was Dr. Rachel Martin who did her medical education at McGill University and is currently a PGY-3 at the Department of Ophthalmology at Queen’s University. A summary of the insights shared is below.
Essential Advice:
- Be proactive with registering for electives; stay on top of the deadlines and stay up late to get the electives you want!
- Network! Reach out to staff at your medical school to connect you with faculty members at other schools that could host you for an elective.
- Read up on the programs you are interested, particularly through their website, to help with ranking and ensuring you meet all the eligibility criteria.
- Prioritize the schools you are interested in matching to, so they get to know you!
- Due to minimal spots available, consider double booking for electives, although a costly option, it can maximize your chances of securing an elective.
Booking Electives:
- Be mindful of policies and deadlines! Pay extra attention to registration processes, as some schools may require you to send an email beforehand.
- Connect with residents at schools of interest to gain understanding of the culture and environment you would be working in.
- Plan to schedule the electives at schools you hope to match to last to gain more experience and skills first.
- Reach out to program administrators to inquire about electives in various subspecialities that may only be available internally.
Housing:
- Visiting electives can be quite expensive, alongside registration fees, students must pay for their own flight and accommodations. Considering an Airbnb or medical student housing.
Navigating Around:
- You may end up having to travel across the province or country for different visiting electives. Rent a car and drive if possible and fly out to further locations.
- Try to secure residence within walking distance to the hospital you will be working at or near public transport.
- Look out for medical student discounts under CFMS and CMA.
- Stay safe when getting around! Ask local residents, including those you work with, about tips for staying safe and commuting.
What If I Don’t Get An Elective At A School?
- Don’t fret! Spots are limited, particularly with restrictions just opening in the Fall of 2022.
- Reapply to schools within another application period and consider seeking a research elective.
You Got a Visiting Elective- Now What?
- Show them that you are keen and hardworking, let your true self shine through!
- Make the most of the electives within your speciality of interest. You can use these experiences for your CaRMS application.
- Get to know the residents and work closely with them- they are your allies.
- Prioritize your wellbeing and mental health.
- Introduce yourself to the program director and residents and make yourself known! Connect with the program director and show interest in and inquire about the program.
- Show up motivated to learn and prepared with basic knowledge and practical skills. No one expects you to know everything, but you should be familiar with slit lamp, diopter lens, seeing cells in the AC, fluorescein uptake, and how to do a neurological exam. Read up on important concepts like glaucoma and signs of PACG. Reach out to residents for help and recommendations on how to approach care and different skills and techniques (check out the Learning tab for resources!). Challenge yourself with more advanced skills.
- Seek out further opportunities after hours and during on-call shifts.
- Show up on time and with a good attitude!
After The Visiting Elective:
- Be in-touch with staff after the electives and consider using your preceptors as your references for your future CaRMS application.
- Select referees that you got along with, can speak highly to your skills and experience, and you know can write you a strong reference letter.
- Visiting electives may only be two weeks in duration. You may opt to selecting a referee that has known you for a longer period of time, like a research supervisor.
- Consider diversifying your referees based on the specialities you are applying for. There is the option of carrying over the same reference for future CaRMS applications and selecting particular letters for applications to specific programs.
- If a staff member agrees to write you a reference letter, make the process easier for them by sending them your CV, inquiring about further supportive material you can provide, and sending them reminders. Keep in mind objectives of the letter and deadlines. You may want to ask your referee if they are able to write it sooner in advance of the CaRMS deadline while their evaluation of your performance is fresh in their mind.
We hope this advice was useful as you begin planning for your visiting electives and CaRMS applications. Stay tuned for our annual post-match event happening on April 18th where you will get to hear from students who matched into ophthalmology in the recent 2023 CaRMS cycle!
Author: Aya Alsefaou (M1, UofT)
