General
What is the role of an observer?
Observers may watch surgeries, patient histories and physicals, and attend patient rounds and teaching conferences. Licensing laws in the United States prohibit observers from providing direct patient care or assisting in research projects.
Application Process
How and when should I apply to the observership program?
The international observership program is open for international medical students, foreign medical graduates, residents, fellow and fully trained physicians. Candidates must complete and submit the online application during the corresponding review schedule.
Upon receipt of the application, a member from our Center will follow up within 5-10 business days to collect a CV, two letters of recommendation and USLME scores (if available).
What happens after I am accepted?
You will receive a letter from CIME confirming your observership in the requested medical department. An orientation with CIME will be scheduled on the first day of your observership. The orientation is required prior to reporting to the hosting medical department. During the orientation, you will need to bring your passport, I-94 and a $10 deposit for the processing of your Cleveland Clinic ID badge. You are also required to show proof for the following immunizations:
- Varicella and Rubella titers or proof of MMR immunization
- Recent documentation of TST test or recent chest x-ray (<<1 year) if known to be TST positive
- Proof of hepatitis B immunity (serology)
Which specialties have available observership positions during the months I am interested in visiting?
Our Center’s website is periodically updated to reflect specialty availability. We encourage applicants to visit our site prior to selecting a specialty.
May I submit my observership application to multiple specialties?
Observership applications are presented to one specialty at a time; applicants are expected to select the one specialty which they are most interested in.
Is there an application or program fee for observing?
Cleveland Clinic’s International Physician Observer Program provides equal opportunity to all applicants. Acceptance is based on academic merit and any relevant accomplishments. As such, there is no fee to participate in this program.
Is there a dorm or do you provide observer housing?
All personal expenses related to participating in the observership program are the visitor’s responsibility. We are unable to provide campus housing.
What is the difference between a medical student clinical elective and an observership?
Medical students in their final year, who have completed their Step 1 USMLE, may qualify to apply to the clinical elective program. This is offered through the Lerner College of Medicine and provides a hands-on experience with academic credit.
How long is an observership rotation and may I rotate through multiple specialties?
The purpose of the program is for international physicians to become more acquainted with Cleveland Clinic’s model of care. It allows our participants to learn firsthand, recent innovations in surgery and medicine developed by Cleveland Clinic. We encourage program participants to select the one specialty they are most interested to visit to maximize the experience. Our program is typically administered for up to one month- per calendar year.
How and when do departments select candidates for the observership program?
Upon receipt of all necessary documents, applications are submitted for departmental consideration according to the corresponding review schedule.
Observership Experience
What will my responsibilities be if I am accepted as an observer?
Our observership program is an informal shadowing experience. In addition, observers may follow on patient rounds, conferences and utilize the medical library. Federal regulations prevent observers from providing direct patient care responsibilities or involvement in any form of research.
What will my daily schedule be if I am accepted as an observer?
Upon acceptance into the observership program, a tentative schedule of your time will be provided to you by the hosting department.
Will I receive a letter of recommendation or have an evaluation upon completion of my observership?
The Center for International Medical Education will present you with a certificate of attendance which attests to your participation in the program. Recommendation letters may be provided at the hosting staff’s discretion and upon special circumstances only.
Cleveland and Visa Information
What type of visa do I need for an observership? Does Cleveland Clinic assist me in getting this visa?
Observerships require only a tourist visa; as such our Center will provide a letter of invitation confirming the observership dates, which will assist in your visa application to the US Embassy. We cannot provide additional visa forms as your status will be as an observer at Cleveland Clinic and not a full-time employee. If you are currently in the USA under a different visa status, please check with your visa issuing entity.
