Knowing when to say "no" on the student elective

BMJ 1998;316:1404-1405 ( 9 May )

Editorials

Knowing when to say "no" on the student elective

Students going on electives abroad need clinical guidelines

Personal view p 1466

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The elective can be one of the most exciting components of a medical student's training. When done abroad, it sometimes offersthe opportunity to experience health care in a different culturaland organisational setting and to see diseases that are rarely,if ever, encountered in Great Britain. Other benefits includethe maturity that comes from medico-social understanding, self-reliance,and resourcefulness that the elective experience can provide.¹Several reports describing activities on electives provide furtherinsight into their opportunities, challenges, and benefits.^2-6

The increasingly focused medical curriculum in the UK is a key reason to promote the elective. Yet despite its advantages,some concerns remain. The author of a report of his elective alludesto the discomfort felt about suddenly being expected to "see patients"(p 1466).⁶ Such concerns are often no different from anxietiesexperienced by medical students in Great Britain. However, whenstudents travel overseas a well structured and supervised . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

The Student ' Doctor'.: M A Rohman
bmj.com, 8 May 1998 [Full text]
Many students should say "yes".: Stewart Pringle
bmj.com, 9 May 1998 [Full text]
Missed opportunities: Heather Harris
bmj.com, 9 May 1998 [Full text]
Towards development of a structured elective programme: V M K Bhaskarabhatla
bmj.com, 27 May 1998 [Full text]