Guidelines for Observership in the Department of Internal Medicine at Long Island College Hospital

Purpose:

Provide guidelines for observership in internal medicine at Long Island College Hospital.

Scope:

The guidelines apply to all approved observers and those supervising or participating in the observership program.

Definition of “Observer”:

“Observer” refers to a medical school graduate who wishes to update their clinical and educational skills in primary care internal medicine or a medical subspecialty through observation.  Because Observers are not members of the Medical Staff they may not participate in direct or indirect patient care or management.

Observers are not employees of Long Island College Hospital and are not entitled to salary, health care benefits or any other benefits.

Definition of “Observership”:

An observership is an informal observational experience and does not constitute medical training.  Observers do not receive any form of certification from Long Island College Hospital for the time of their appointment.  Observers will receive documentation of their participation in the observership, a description of their activities and an assessment by the supervising attending of their overall performance.  Observerships will be approved initially for no more than a four week period.  Renewal of the observership will be at the discretion of the Department of Internal Medicine. 

Program Approval:

Observers must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Goals of Observership in Internal Medicine:

• Exposure to the U.S. healthcare system
• Experience in evidence-based primary care and medical subspecialties
• Interaction with internal medicine faculty, residents and medical staff in a collegial, academic environment.
• Opportunity to improve interpersonal and communication skills consistent with a U.S. format.
• Opportunity to improve medical knowledge.
• Opportunity to enhance cultural competency.

How these Goals will be achieved:

• In one-on-one interactions with residents and attendings.
• During inpatient primary care or subspecialty consult rounds.
• During regularly scheduled core curriculum conferences, clinical/pathologic conferences (CPC), morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences.

Applicant Requirements:

• Must be a physician trained in their home country in internal medicine.
• Must be fluent in the English language.
• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or have a valid visa or proof of immigration status.
• Must complete an Application for Observership indicating the specific area of interest, the goals of the applicant and the desired duration of the observership.
• Must provide a current curriculum vitae indicating prior training, research, publications and ECFMG status if applicable or available.
• Must provide a copy of medical school diploma and final transcripts.
•  Must provide two letters of recommendation from supervising physicians or medical school mentors.

Application Procedures:

• The required documentation outlined above should be submitted to the Department of Internal Medicine, attention Department Administrator. 
• If a request for observership within a specific subspecialty division of the Department of Internal Medicine or under the supervision of a particular subspecialty division attending is being requested, then a letter of acceptance from that subspecialty division chief will need to be provided with the other documentation.
• Every applicant must undergo a complete background check and health clearance prior to being issued an identification badge and starting the observership.  Any form of acceptance to the observship program is subject to health clearance and a background check as required by law, regulation or hospital policy.
• The Observer will be required to participate in and demonstrate successful completion of the observership orientation program that shall include training in patient rights, infection control, confidentiality and HIPPA regulations prior to starting the observership.
• Long Island College Hospital will not provide any financial contribution to any Observer, and Observers are responsible for paying for their room, board and other living expenses during their observership.
• A tuition of $500 per month must be paid prior to the start of the observership to cover administrative costs and lunches provided at noontime conference.

ACCEPTANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO THE OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM  DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL OR THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE TO INTERVIEW OR ACCEPT THE INDIVIDUAL FOR RESIDENCY TRAINING IN  THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE OR ANY RESIDENCY OR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AT LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL.