Difference between Hands-on Experience and Observerships

As an aspiring international medical student, the road to USMLE can prove tough to navigate. This is especially true when one is confronted with a wide array of United States Clinical Experience (USCE) options. Should one go for an observership, clerkship, research elective, or a telerotation? It is often easier to distinguish between the different types of United States Clinical Experience by classifying them into two broad categories, namely hands-on and hands-off clinical experiences. An observership is a kind of in-person hands-off program that is limited to a shadowing experience in clinical settings. Hands-on clinical experiences also called hands-on rotations, on the other hand, are also in-person but provide a more active approach when it comes to the patient care process. Let us look at each in more detail.

Hands-On Clinical Experience

Hands-on clinical experience allows interns to administer direct patient care under the supervision of the attending physician. Depending on the type of hands-on clinical experience, interns are typically able to perform patient history taking, physical examinations, presenting differential diagnoses, and are often allowed access to electronic medical records (EMR). This allows interns to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and experience real–world patient cases. Some examples of hands-on clinical experience include externships, clinical electives (also called clerkships), research electives, and sub-internships.

Eligibility Criteria for Hands-on Clinical Experience

For medical students, the possibility for a hands-on clinical rotation arises only in their third, fourth or final year of medical school. This is because the medical students are sufficiently prepared to shadow preceptors and tackle real–life clinical situations. While the majority of programs require at least a passing USMLE Step 1 score, medical students who have not yet given the exam can opt for clinical electives through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities or VSLO. The common types of hands-on clinical rotations available to medical students are core rotations, electives/clerkships, and sub-internships. For medical graduates, a hands-on clinical experience can be in the form of an externship.

Observerships

Observerships are a great way for international medical students and graduates in the U.S. to hone their clinical skills in a non-invasive manner. As opposed to hands-on clinical experience, in an observership, direct patient interaction does not take place. Observers shadow their attending physicians in their daily clinical activities, witness and learn medical procedures and learn the style of patient management thereby attaining important clinical experience. Observerships are a great way for international medical students to acclimatize themselves to the U.S. healthcare system.

Eligibility Criteria for Observerships

Observerships can be done by both international medical students and graduates. To take part in an observership program, students must be enrolled in a medical school and graduates should have a medical degree. A passing USMLE Step 1 score might be preferred but is not necessary to apply for this type of clinical experience.

Comparison between Hands-on Experience and Observerships

Here are some key differences and similarities between the two types of United States Clinical Experience (USCE) to help international medical students and graduates make the best choice when it comes to choosing clinical experience.

Clinical Experience	Direct Patient Care	Letter of Recommendation	Academic Credit	Who Can Apply	Recognized as USCE
Hands-on	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medical Students and Graduates	Yes
Observership	No	Yes	Depends on Program	Medical Students and Graduates	Yes

Applying Process with American Rotation

Both hands-on clinical experience and observerships are a part of the United States Clinical Experience (USCE). After successful completion, applicants for both programs are eligible for a performance-based letter of recommendation which is crucial for their residency match. The American Rotation program provides hassle-free browsing, selection, and reservation of onsite clinical rotations. Sign Up for your U.S. Clinical Experience today.