Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Elective Student Program

Elective student program is open for short term training of medical undergraduates who study in overseas universities. Applications for elective appointments in any discipline within the curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

Elective appointments currently available for application are mentioned. Elective postings are on a weekly basis commencing on a Monday. The exact dates for any particular elective posting should be supplied with the application form.

Admission to a relevant appointment depends on whether the Head of the Department concerned is able to provide the necessary facilities or supervision during the requested period.

Appointments

Clinical subjects:

• Internal Medicine
• Neurology
• General Surgery
• Anaesthesiology
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry

Para-clinical subjects:

• Forensic Medicine
• Parasitology
• Microbiology
• Anatomy
• Community Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Allied Health Sciences

Climate and clothing

Dress code

Students should wear scrub (pajamas) with name tag. This should be the responsibility of each student to keep ready in advance to use at the commencement of the clinical training.

Colombo is in the Wet Zone. The climate is tropical and humid. Two monsoons (May/August and October/January) and occasional inter-monsoonal showers bring wet weather. Late December to February is cool at night. Clothing should be light, cotton. An umbrella and raincoat will come useful.

Accommodation

You need to find out accommodation by your own close proximity to the Faculty. The Faculty is not responsible for your accommodation requirement.

Recreation

Colombo is a coastal town in Western province of Sri Lanka and the economic, transport and urban recreation hub of the country. Colombo has many top level Sports centres, Sports clubs and other Recreational centres.

Rest of the country is famous for its golden sandy beaches with warm and gentle seas. It attracts a large number of tourists during the winter months in Europe usually October to March/April. Scuba diving, wreck diving, surfing and coral reefs with myriads of colourful tropical fish attract many visitors.

• All applicants must be registered students of a recognized medical school or allied health science faculty.
• Supporting letter from Dean/Elective Co-coordinator or a competent authority of your facility. Address the letter to 'Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo'.
• All departments expect that the prospective elective student should possess basic knowledge and prior experience in the discipline in which he/she has applied to do an elective.
• Clinical departments offer electives for medical students who are in their 3rd year or above.
• Pre and para clinical departments offer electives for all students.
• Physiotherapy department offers electives for physiotherapy students.
• Hep B vaccination in advance and make sure that protective level of Hep B antibodies has been achieved. We advise you to complete the entire course of active immunization before arriving in Sri Lanka.

• Supporting letter from Dean/Elective Co-coordinator or a competent authority of your facility. Address the letter to 'Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo'.
• Passport with Valid Visa.

Minimum processing time takes 2 − 3 months.

Please ensure you apply 3 months prior to your intended elective date. Electives will not be conducted during the vacation period. ( will be informed during the inquiry.)

Entry Visa

Obtain tourist visa online using the Electronic Travel Authorization(ETA) system. Visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information. Tourist Visa category is very easy to extend visa(can do online) and low visa fees. Extension fee (Please check the https://www.immigration.gov.lk/web/ for latest charges)

Documents needed for visa extension

• Extension visit visa application (Available in the web site)
• Passport

Depends on the type of Hotel facilities you are selecting.

• 435 - 915 USD - Low cost package.
• 710 - 1185 USD - Standard package. Includes Airport to Hotel transport, Hotel to the University transport, Hotel fees and University fees.

You can apply for an elective appointment by filling out the application form and emailing. Our representative will help you with procedure.

Clinical Appointments

No student shall make changes to the clinical appointment schedule allocated without the prior permission of the Heads of the relevant subjects.

Attendance and punctuality

Attendance at clinical work should be regular to ensure satisfactory completion of the elective period. Students should obtain prior permission from the clinical teacher concerned before being absent from clinical work. In case prior permission is not obtained, we will not be responsible for any problems which might arise beyond academic related matters.

Dress Code

Students should wear scrub while attending clinical work or visiting the Faculty. Make sure to wear neat and modestly considering that you work in a hospital and university environment. Indecent exposure is not acceptable. No bathroom or rubber slippers will be allowed in the hospital or Faculty. Wearing overcoat while in the hospital is mandatory for students.

Identity

Student should collect identity card on the first day and wear it all the time. On entering wards, meet the ward staff and introduce yourself. Do not interfere with the routine work in the ward or staff.

Tobacco and alcohol

Hospitals and the Faculty have a strict non-smoking and non-alcohol policy and students should adhere to that. Students should not be under the influence of liquor or have a breath suggestive of recent consumption of alcohol.

Consent for physical examination

It is required to get the consent of either the patient or bystander before physical examination. Do not disturb patient while a sleep, having a meal, in pain or in discomfort. While examining a patient of opposite gender, have a person of the same sex to accompany you and this is especially relevant for female patients. Also use screens to protect the privacy of the patient. Respect the cultural norms when exposing patients for physical examination and do not examine patients during the designated visiting hours.

Conduct with the patient

Student should, first, introduce him/herself to the patient. Be courteous, polite and considerate while dealing with patients. Students should not prescribe any treatment or offer any money, tobacco, liquor, drugs or food to patients. Further, students are expected to maintain strict confidentiality with regards to the information gathered from patients.

Hospital records

No clinical records or results of investigations such as ECG's, radiographs or lab reports should be removed or copied by students. Do not take photographs of patients without permission of patient and clinical teacher.

Hospital equipment

Students should use hospital equipment such as thermometers, BP apparatus and glassware with extreme care. Accidental breakages should be reported to the ward staff, immediately.

“Out of bounds” periods

At times hospitals are made “out of bounds” for clinical students for examination purposes. Elective students need to discuss with clinical teachers about the possibility of continuing clinical work during this period.

Communicable diseases

Students while suffering from communicable diseases should not engage in any clinical work. Consult the Medical officer; designate, if in doubt.

Needle prick Injury / Vaccinations

We advise you to get Hep B vaccination in advance and make sure that protective level of Hep B antibodies has been achieved. We advise you to complete the entire course of active immunization before arriving in Sri Lanka. Further, we have an accepted protocol to manage accidental needle prick injuries. This includes investigations and prophylactic vaccinations based on the situation. Elective students, however, will have to bear the cost of investigations and vaccines.

Meeting hours

Please contact the Elective student program handling staff during the given working hours. They will be happy to help you’ll during the office hours (8.30am to 12.30pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays )