Tele-rotations: Are they worth it?!

When the pandemic came and we were left “stranded” in our own home countries unable to for the much needed US clinical experience.  It felt like we would be at a great disadvantage and maybe unable to apply this year. 

The agency such AMO, Medclerkships, ChicagoClerkships, usmlesarthi etc started marketing a telerotation within a month. (not only they were not cheaper but some charged 300-400$ extra for cost of telemedicine. (what?)

While this may have been a money making scheme. It did provide us with a foot in the door.  

Within two months many universities also started providing tele/ virtual rotations.

My experience: I bought a telerotation from AMO.

  • No of patients with their scheduled time and prior progress note was given a day or sometimes an hour or two before
  • Allowed to take history, lead the conversation, ask my own questions, review medications. Dr. X also asked about how would you like to proceed with management regularly
  • Usually me, the Dr, patient, case manager or relative were there on an audio call.  Few times on video call. I had 3-4 patients a day. 
  • I wrote the progress notes after the meeting ended
  • after the end of the day I could ask questions  or discuss things if I wanted to. Dr. X rarely probed me with a lot of questions which was kind of good so I didn’t always feel on my toes. 
  • I was given the opportunity to provide a session of supportive psychotherapy on my own and interview few cases without supervision. (which made me very nervous haha) 
  • Dr. X was humble and  kind, and a delight to work with. 
  • I got a great LOR on university letterhead 

After my planned rotation got cancelled in April may, I decided to give step 2 ck, do 1-2 months of a Tele-rotation and give it a shot in match 2021. The possibility was virtual rotation was exciting to me cause that meant that just maybe… just maybe I might actually match without ever being to the United States.( I did) I didn’t tell anyone that I was planning/hoping for this. I am a highly optimistic person. So haha. 

AMO had provided that professor had this much years of experience. Was an Associate professor at University XYZ and that it would be hands on. 

I had also looked in Chicagoclerkships but they were only offering a neuropsych rotation. And with only 1 rotation, I didn’t want the programs to doubt my commitment to psych. 

COST: 2500$. I got some 400$ discount coupon on the website accidentally. They charged some 200$ etc. for the “telemedicine”

After providing my details like medical school transcripts, id and stuff, making the payment and video- audio call check (for connectivity) ,I was given the email and phone number of my supervising doctor. 

That was it from the AMO side. Like no other involvement. 

I had to buy a virtual US phone number on the first day. It wasn’t told to me before. Cost was like 10-12$ for the whole month which was okay. 

Over all my experience was great! I felt slightly more confident after interacting with patients and Dr. X. I used to read Saddock and Stahl’s pharmacology for the patient beforehand and have some questions ready. Read some papers too.

We were planning to do a case presentation but it never materialized. 

(Note: If you want to do this particular telerotation. (at a lower price) You can contact me for details on Twitter. (@DrAditi_Life)

 

While I would like to say I matched with a single tele-rotation and I had never been to the United States. So definitely if you have a promising portfolio you will be considered.

That being said I didn’t see any one else who matched with just tele-rotation and no USCE. (if you did, please contact me)

The number of interviews were severely affected by my lack of USCE and it was asked in nearly all interviews. To convince that I would Infact have no problem adjusting here and would be able to work in their system effectively was based on thin air. 

BUT…

If you had even a month or two in person USCE and are unable to secure a visa. Tele-rotation is a very viable option. 

Saves a lot of money. You are able to make connections. You are able to secure a great Letter of Recommendation. And I did like an expensive rotation, there are definitely cheaper options out there. 

So when is a Tele/ Virtual rotations are good:

1. When you are still in medschool. Some months are lighter. Doing a telerotation is possible to get a longitudinal relationship going. Telerotations can easily lead to research projects, posters, oral presentations and even other telerotations. 

2. You already have 1-2 in person USCE. 

3. You are unable to secure a visa. – if you are unable to travel to USA, ask yourself- can I finish off an exam? Step 2 CK? Step 3? 

If not, then doing a telerotation is good. I would definitely recommend. (
if you can manage telerotations and studying together great!

4. Financial constraints. – I paid 2300$ for my rotation. there are some doctors who take 200$ or even free. But there are also many places in USA who provide free in person USCE. so you have to pay for accommodation and living. some places are really expensive, some places are better.

Like having relatives in any part of the area or friends/seniors might help with accomodation.

While doing a rotation in known and famed universities does help. It is all about making you portfolio as attractive as it can be. Decisions have to be made on individual basis. remember there is no hard and fast rule to anything here.

List of Virtual Rotations coming soon. (for IMGs)