Observerships/ Shadowing in Dublin

mb17

Hey,

Does anyone know of any hospital/ specialist centre ( preferably obs&gyn department) in or around Dublin that allows medical students to observe/shadow? It's pretty common in the states, canada and the UK, but it seems like a complete breach of patient confidentiality here in Ireland. The idea still seems foreign.

Any input appreciated. Thank you!

ps: forgive my weird typing style and emoticons. Im a newbie here

Vorsprung

For a medical student, I wouldn't have thought there would be any issue to be honest. I did similar electives in ED and surgery when I was a student, and for some colleges they're now compulsory.

What responses did you get? What hospitals have you tried?

Abby19

mb17 wrote: »

Hey,

Does anyone know of any hospital/ specialist centre ( preferably obs&gyn department) in or around Dublin that allows medical students to observe/shadow? It's pretty common in the states, canada and the UK, but it seems like a complete breach of patient confidentiality here in Ireland. The idea still seems foreign.

Most of them do. And elsewhere round the country too. But it may depend on your clinical experience to date. How far along in your degree are you? And have you completed your obs/gynae rotation? A lot of med schools here have to indemnify the students if they go abroad (not a problem if you do an elective here in an affiliated hospital), so you may need to get your med school to indemnify you to come here.

Who have you approached so far?

lonestargirl

We have all kinds of students, from TY to shadowing to those on official placement. Everybody must sign a confidentiality agreement and provide evidence of insurance. Where are you studying medicine and do you think you college would indemnify you?

mb17

Thank you for the replies!

Hmm the thing is that I'm only in 2nd med and have never had practical training --certainly not obs/gynae . Hence I'm not looking for the electives kinda thing which colleges would help to arrange. All I can do is stand beside ( if not behind:() the docs and be a wallflower. (I presume we do more than that for electives? Correct me if I'm wrong!)

I've only tried a GP and got rejected. Should I try Rotunda instead? Are hospitals usually more receptive of medical students as compared to private practices?

Btw, I'm from RCSI and I'm a member of the MPS, so I think indemnification wouldn't be an issue.

Once again, thanks. And forgive me, I haven't learnt how to quote yet :eek:

Cheers

Vorsprung

How long is your course?

If you're on a 5 or 6 year course, I'd have thought you're too early to be doing electives (others may disagree). You're not likely to have had much or any clinical exposure (but I don't know the RCSI course well).