McGill.CA / Undergraduate Medical Education / Electives

McGill Students

Please be advised that McGill students are allowed to start booking their electives between 2 to 12 months in advance of the elective start date.

Please review the General policy on electives and observerships for the MDCM Program:
View Policy

For electives management, please login to MDCM360.


Procedure for Electives in the MDCM Program

Procedure for Scheduling an Elective

A flowchart of these steps is available at the following link.

Electives at McGill Sites

Canadian Away Electives

International Away Electives, including the US
  • Apply to the host school according to their requirements and guidelines
  • Site coordinator approves or denies request
  • Notify the mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) before 4 week enrollment deadline if the application is delayed by the host school
  • Notify the mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) before 4 week enrollment deadline if the application is delayed by the host school

 
  • After approval through the AFMC portal, submit a McGill Electronic Placement Form and upload the acceptance letter for the non-McGill Elective before the 4-week enrollment deadline
  • After approval by the host school, submit a McGill Electronic Placement Form and upload the acceptance letter for the non-McGill Elective before the 4-week enrollment deadline

 

 

 

 
  • Complete the McGill Travel Registry form on Minerva for each international experience

 

Research Elective Requests:  The Research Elective Approval Form and proof of acceptance by the supervisor (email correspondence) must be submitted at the time of request. 

 

Special Requirements for Electives at non-McGill Sites (Away Electives)

Passports and Visas
  • Ensure that you meet any visa requirements to enter the country of your elective
  • You are responsible for the application process and all associated costs of a passport and visa where applicable

Health Insurance
  • Ensure you have appropriate personal health insurance if you are leaving Quebec for your elective. Information on your McGill student plan is available here

Immunization

HIPAA Certification

(US Electives only)
  • The UGME Office does not offer HIPAA certification (formal training in health information and security, patient protection and privacy)
  • If required, the mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) will attest that the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill provides core teaching on confidential issues and patient records

Mask Fitting

Letters of Good Standing
  • The Student Records can provide letters of good standing as required by the host school

Liability Insurance
  • A request for proof of malpractice insurance can be sent to the mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) with the following information:
  • Name and address of the host school
  • Dates of the elective
  • Specialty and sub-specialty of the elective
  • Name and email or phone number of that contact person at the host school

Criminal Background Check
  • Start this process well in advance of the elective
  • Submit the check request to one of the following organizations
  • When registering for the check, mention that you are a full time student with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill and that the check is required for study purposes only

 

 

Procedure of Assessment of an Elective

Electives at McGill sites

All Electives at non-McGill Sites (Away Electives)
  • Clinical Assessment Forms (CAF) are sent electronically in one45

OR

  • Distribute forms directly in one45 (e.g. Emergency Medicine electives)
  • Send the Non-McGill Clerkship Assessment form to the elective supervisor (the form is available in one45 under Handouts & Links → UGME Electives)
  • Notify the mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) of the name and contact information of your supervisor who will be completing the form
  • Ensure timely completion and return to mcgillelectives.med [at] mcgill.ca (McGill Electives Coordinator) via email, fax, or mail

 

 

Procedure for Cancelling or Changing an Elective

Electives at McGill Sites

Canadian Away Electives

International Away Electives, including the US

  • Before the 4-week deadline, cancel the elective in the AFMC Portal
  • Before the 4-week deadline, contact the host school directly to inform them of the cancellation.

 

Helpful Reminders

  1. The McGill UGME Portal will not permit booking two electives simultaneously.
  2. Most schools, including McGill, will issue a letter of professionalism if you breach their policies and procedures while attempting to book, cancel, or change an elective.
  3. There is funding available for electives at rural site in Quebec. Contact the Distributed Medical Education Office for details.

 

 

 

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