Remote learning is becoming increasingly prevalent in this day and age. And why shouldn’t it be? It is a cost-effective and convenient way to expand your knowledge. Because of this, we are extending our clinical experience services to offer you several virtual clinical experiences. Like our in-person clinical experiences, those who complete virtual clinical experiences can request a letter of recommendation from their precepting physician. Securing the documents needed to apply for residency in the U.S. has never been so easy!

Below we outline some of the reasons why rotating in the comfort of your own home is so great. We also include some tips on how to leverage your physical space and mindset so you can get the most out of this remote learning experience!

 

Benefits of Virtual Telehealth Experiences

 

      • Maintain Your Lifestyle

Online learning is great for individuals looking to create a balance between multiple facets of their lives. A virtual telehealth experience could be a great option for individuals who have children or a job. Our virtual telehealth clinical experiences take place in realtime with preceptors providing care to their patients in various U.S. time-zones. Depending on where you are located around the world, your clinical experience could be at an off-hour. If this is the case, you might be able to continue working and caring for your family while obtaining new medical knowledge and gaining exposure to a type of medicine that is becoming increasingly important.

 

      • Have More Free Time

Because you won’t have to commute to and from your clinical experience each day as you would be doing if you participated in an in-person clinical experience, you will have more free time. This is time you can spend studying, preparing for your virtual clinical experience, or doing something else entirely!

 

      • Save on Living Expenses

We know clinical experience costs can add up. Housing and three takeout meals a day can become expensive over four weeks. Participating in a virtual experience means you won’t have to pay for housing or meals. You can get a good night’s sleep in the comfort of your own home and enjoy eating and cooking the foods you like best.

 

      • Avoid Culture Shock

Homesickness and culture shock can be avoided with a virtual clinical experience. While you will be interacting with a U.S. physician, U.S. patients, and possible medical trainees from around the world daily, when your clinical experience hours are over, you can enjoy all that is familiar to you. Most clinical experiences take place five days a week, meaning you would have the equivalent of a weekend to spend as you ordinarily would at home!

 

 

 

Tips For Success in a Virtual Telehealth Experience

Are the points listed above enough to entice you to apply for a virtual clinical experience? While these experiences can be beneficial, they do require a greater focus on the participant’s part to make them worthwhile. Here are some tips that, if followed, will ensure you have a virtual clinical experience that is memorable, educational, and beneficial for your future.

 

      • Ensure You Have a Strong Connection

Don’t let a poor internet connection or outdated technology interrupt your education. To ensure this doesn’t happen, double-check the technology requirements listed for the virtual experience you are participating in. Requirements vary based on the preceptor’s preferences and are listed on the individual virtual experience program pages.

 

      • Limit Distractions

Your preceptor will be sharing a lot of valuable information. To take it all in, you’ll need to make sure you can focus on what is being displayed on the screen. Distractions are bound to arise while learning from home, especially if you share a living space with others. To limit the number of interruptions, set up a desk or table somewhere quiet. Another distraction, in addition to those presented in your living space, may be your mobile phone. To avoid the temptation of staying up to date on social media and answering messages during your clinical experience, keep your phone at a distance.

 

      • Be an Active Participant

Although participants are eligible to request a letter of recommendation (LoR) upon completing a virtual clinical experience, such documents are not guaranteed. Instead, they are based on merit. That means you must be an active participant during your clinical experience. One was to show your interest in medicine, the clinical experience, and the case being presented is to ask questions. Use questions to confirm that you understand and clarify the curriculum presented. Doing so will show you are paying attention and care about building out your clinical skills and knowledge. This can lead to a greater understanding of the material and a stronger LoR.

 

 Interested in a virtual clinical experience?

Explore and apply for an experience today >

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