Western University

Contact Information

Administrator, Visiting Electives

electives@schulich.uwo.ca

At this time, we are working from remote locations, and can only be reached via email.

1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, N6A 3K7

About the Faculty of Medicine

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University offers wonderful clinical and research elective opportunities. We are comprised of 14 clinical departments and 7 basic science departments. We offer elective experiences at our two campuses in London and Windsor and in over 60 communities throughout Southwestern Ontario. We welcome visiting medical students from both Canadian and non-Canadian schools. Please join us!

Please review the AFMC application window schedule for when to apply. Western University will be accepting Canadian international students between the months of May-June (inclusive) in 2025.

Submission of an application indicates an understanding and acceptance of all information on this page and on the tabs – please review prior to submitting an application.

Requirements

1. Eligibility

Canadian student type = students registered in a full-time undergraduate MD program at a Canadian medical school within Canada.

2. Application Instructions

Submission of an application indicates an understanding and acceptance of all information on this page and on the tabs. Requirements are non-negotiable.
Please review the AFMC Application Window Schedule for when to apply.
Under no circumstances can new dates be requested or re-negotiated once an elective offer is extended to the applicant.
All clinical electives must be done for academic credit. Western University does not offer core clinical training, pre-clinical electives, or observerships through the AFMC Student Portal.
Students are not permitted to contact clinical departments or preceptors prior or during the placement process. It is considered a breach of professionalism to do so. Once confirmed for an elective, only then is it permitted to contact the placement contact to clarify scheduling or program specific details. Please direct any visiting student elective enquiries to the Visiting Electives Office at electives@schulich.uwo.ca.

3. Document Requirements

With the exception to the Synergy Consent Form, Western University does not require you to upload documentation with your initial application. If an elective offer is extended and accepted, you will then have your documents reviewed through Synergy Verified. Please see the Synergy tab for more information.

The following documents are reviewed during your Synergy Verified Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) appointment:

Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS): Valid for 1 year.
N95 Mask Fitting
- All students are required to have a current and valid N95 mask fitting. Note that a N95 mask fitting is only valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Ensure your mask fitting is still current for the duration of your elective.
- Accepted N95 mask models are:3M 1870+; 1860S; 1860; 1804.
- Requests for N95 mask accommodation/exemption must be made via the Visiting Electives Office. You will be connected with the hospital site and provided with the appropriate forms. Once the forms have been submitted and approved, Synergy will be notified of your exemption.
- PAPR masks are not supported or carried by our training hospitals and thus cannot be accommodated.
AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form
- Must be fully completed and signed off by a Health Care Professional (HCP) whose scope of practice includes immunization.
- Western University does not require actual documented proof of immunizations/titers/test for Canadian students. This information must be noted on the immunization form (other than where other appendix uploads/radiologist report are requested).
Proof of Current Influenza Vaccine
- Students completing a visiting elective from October to March must have proof that they received the current years’ influenza immunization.
Federal Proof of Covid 19 Vaccine
- Documented proof of primary series (two doses) is required.
- Boosters are not currently required but are strongly encouraged.
Additional Immunization Documents
- Students who have any of the following that may affect their duties while at the hospital are to contact Occupational Health Services at the hospital prior to their placement:
  1. A major medical condition.
  2. An infectious condition.
  3. A significant allergic reaction including latex sensitivity.
  4. Please see the Immunization Policy for more information.

1. Eligibility

“International” student type = Canadian citizens/permanent residents registered in a full-time undergraduate MD program at a FAIMER/WHO or LCME accredited medical school outside of Canada.
Only students who are in their final year of an MD program who will have completed their clerkship core training at their home school covering the area in which they want to apply to do an elective in can apply for an elective at Schulich.

2. Application Instructions

Submission of an application indicates an understanding and acceptance of all information on this page and on the tabs. Requirements are non-negotiable.
Western University will be accepting Canadian international students between the months of May to June (inclusive) only in 2025. Please review the AFMC Application Window Schedule for when to apply.
Under no circumstances can new dates be requested or re-negotiated once an elective offer is extended to the applicant.
All clinical electives must be done for academic credit. Western University does not offer core clinical training, pre-clinical electives, or observerships through the AFMC Student Portal.
Students are not permitted to contact clinical departments or preceptors prior or during the placement process. It is considered a breach of professionalism to do so. Once confirmed for an elective, only then is it permitted to contact the placement contact to clarify scheduling or program specific details. Please direct any visiting student elective enquiries to the Visiting Electives Office at electives.schulich.uwo.ca.

3. Document Requirements

With exception to the Synergy Consent Form, Western University does not require you to upload documentation with your initial application. If an elective offer is extended and accepted, you will then have your documents reviewed through Synergy Verified. Please see the Synergy tab for more information.

The following documents are reviewed during your Synergy Verified Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) appointment:

Letter of Good Standing from Home School – Must Contain:
- Full name
- Student number
- Expected graduation year
- Program language is English
- Confirmation of good academic standing
Criminal Record Check
- Current criminal record check from the international country in which you are currently studying.
- Must be translated in English.
AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form
- Must be fully completed and signed off by a Health Care Professional (HCP) whose scope of practice includes immunization.
- International students must upload and submit the AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form AND actual proof of information on the completed form (yellow childhood immunization card, titers, lab reports, physician letters) at the time of your Synergy ERV review appointment. Please upload as one file.
Health Care Coverage/Proof of Health Insurance
- Canadian Provincial Health Care Card is sufficient proof of health care coverage (i.e., OHIP, BC Care, etc.).
- If your Canadian Provincial Health coverage has expired, you must provide proof of private health care coverage (i.e., Blue Cross, West Life, etc.).
- Health care coverage must be valid for your elective duration.
N95 Mask Fitting
- All students are required to have a current and valid N95 mask fitting. Note that a N95 mask fitting is only valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Ensure your mask fitting is still current for the duration of your elective.
- Accepted N95 mask models are: 3M 1870+; 1860S; 1860; 1804.
- Requests for N95 mask accommodation/exemption must be made via the Visiting Electives Office. You will be connected with the hospital site and provided the appropriate forms. Once the forms have been submitted and approved, Synergy will be notified of your exemption.
- PAPR masks are not supported or carried by our training hospitals and thus cannot be accommodated.
Additional Immunization Documents:
- Students who have any of the following that may affect their duties while at the hospital are to contact Occupational Health Services at the hospital prior to their placement:
  1. A major medical condition.
  2. An infectious condition.
  3. A significant allergic reaction including latex sensitivity.
  4. Please see the Immunization Policy for more information.

Proof of Canadian Citizenship or PR Status
- Canadian passport, citizenship card, etc.
- Must be valid.
Proof of Current Influenza Vaccine
- Students completing a visiting elective from October to March must have proof that they received the current years’ influenza immunization.
Federal Proof of Covid 19 Vaccine
- Documented proof of primary series (two doses) is required.
- Boosters are not currently required but are strongly encouraged.

4. Affiliation Agreements

Western University does not require an affiliation agreement for electives processed through the AFMC Portal. However, if your home institution mandates an International Home School Single Elective Agreement, please promptly submit the document to the Visiting Electives Office at electives@schulich.uwo.ca once your elective is confirmed in the portal. Our legal team will review the agreement to assess its terms, which requires an extended processing time.

Pre-Placement Requirement Clearance in Partnership with Synergy Verified

Western University has partnered with Synergy Verified to provide support and clearance for pre-placement requirements. You will not be required to upload prerequisite documents into the AFMC portal with your initial application. Once you have applied, and if a visiting elective placement offer is made and accepted, you will then undergo prerequisite verification through Synergy Verified.

To have your documents validated, you must book an ERV appointment through Verified, a proprietary platform used by students across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements and documentation for verification.

As part of your visiting elective application, you will need to complete and upload a Synergy Consent Form providing consent for your personal information to be shared with Synergy for the purpose of pre-placement clearance. This form must be completed in its entirety, including MINC or student number and alternate email address.

Your ERV Appointment

After you have accepted a visiting elective offer, your information will be turned over to Synergy. Once Synergy has added you to their system, you will receive login credentials to access your Verified account. Please monitor your primary and secondary email addresses for your activation email, including spam folders. If you do not receive your activation email, please contact the Visiting Electives Office. You will use Verified to:

Upload your required documentation for review.
Book your ERV review. The service reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you with a status indicating your eligibility for placement.

It is recommended that you complete your Synergy Verified clearance appointment within 3 weeks of accepting your visiting elective offer. You are encouraged to book your review early as appointment times will fill and follow-up reviews may be required. The final deadline by which you need to have passed your review appointment is one week prior to your elective start date. Failure to do so will result in your elective being cancelled.

Ensure all pre-placement documents are uploaded to your account by 9:00am on the day of your appointment. If documents are missing or a requirement is not complete, you will not be cleared for placement and will need to book a follow-up appointment for an additional fee.

You do not need to be “present” on the day of your appointment – this is the date that staff at Synergy Verified retrieve your documents for review. Your Verified account status will be updated (pass/fail/pending) once your documents have been reviewed and verified by Synergy staff. There is a two-business day turnaround for your status to update following your review appointment.

Please review the Synergy package linked below, based on your student type for process and required documents. Also linked below is the Synergy Consent Form, that must be uploaded with your AFMC application.

Synergy Pre-Placement Requirement Clearance Information – Canadian Students

Synergy Pre-Placement Requirement Clearance Information – International Students

Consent to Disclose Personal Information

Policies & Statements

Statements

No Elective in any Department/Division/location of learning for a Schulich Medicine faculty will be approved if it limits or restricts the opportunity for MD Program students undergoing Year 3 Clerkship or Year 4.

No clinical electives for AFMC School students in senior years will be undertaken unless formally registered through the AFMC Portal. Lack of registration results in no insurance for students and breach of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario policies.

Observerships have no Western University (academic) status. Medical learners who wish to arrange an observership must do so by contacting the hospital where they wish to have observer status.

If any documents are found to have been signed by a parent or a relative, you will be removed from our electives list and your money will not be refunded. Your home school will be notified as this is a breach of professionalism. Upload only the requested and required documentation into one pdf file. Do not upload extraneous health information.

Decisions of the Schulich MD Program are final and cannot be appealed.

Policies

Statement on Professionalism
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – Code of Conduct
Western University – Code of Conduct
Provision of Virtual Care
Learner Mistreatment
Statement on Learner Illness, Exposure, and Patient Safety in Clinical Learning
Blood Borne Viruses
Immunization
Workplace Injuries – London
Workplace Injuries – Windsor
Accommodation and Accessibility
- If you have questions regarding accommodations, you may wish to contact:
  - London
    - Learner Experience (Experience@schulich.uwo.ca)
    - Accessible Education (aew@uwo.ca; 519-661-2147)
  - Windsor
    - Learner Experience (LearnerExperience@uwindsor.ca)
    - Student Accessibility Services (sas@uwindsor.ca; 519-253-3000 x6172)
  - Students with disabilities can work with the respective accessibility services offered at their campus for recommendations for accommodation based on medical documentation or psychological and cognitive testing.
  - The Western University Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities policy can be found at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic%20Accommodation_disabilities.pdf
  - Please consult University’s list of recognized religious holidays (updated annually) at https://multiculturalcalendar.com/ecal/index.php?s=c-univwo
- Support Services
  - Students who are in emotional and/or mental distress can refer to:
    - Learner Experience at https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/learner_experience/
    - Mental Health @Western (https://www.uwo.ca/health/) for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Teaching Hospitals and Partner Sites

Western University, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, is located in London, Ontario. The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has hospital and partner training sites all over Southwestern Ontario covering a geographical area of approximately 400 km2. Sites stretch as far south as Windsor to as far north as Goderich, and as far west as Sarnia to as far east as St. Thomas.

Placement Sites

London, Ontario

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) – University Hospital
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) – Victoria Hospital
Joseph’s Health Care (SJHC)
Parkwood (SJHC)

London Family Medicine

(London) Family Medicine placement sites
Family Medicine sites in the AFMC portal are listed as “To be Confirmed”, “To Be Confirmed (Rural/Regional)”, or “To be Confirmed (Windsor and Area)”. Family Medicine works with a wide variety of clinics across London, Windsor, and the Distributed Education network. You will submit your application to one of these general areas and indicate in the “Student Comments” on your application your preferred locations. If you omit indicating your preferences, then placement will be made by random selection based on site/preceptor availability. If an offer is extended, the site will be confirmed either via email or in the comment section of your application.

Distributed Education (Rural/Regional Community Site Placement)

Southwestern Ontario (Approximately 400 km2)
Distributed Education electives are referred to as “Regional” electives in the portal.
Community placements are mostly in the following rural/regional academies:
- Chatham
- Sarnia
- Thomas
- Stratford
- Woodstock

Under “Student Comments” in the AFMC Portal application, please indicate your preferred locations. If you omit indicating your preference, then placements will be made by random selection based on site/preceptor availability.

There is no residency program exposure at any of the Distributed Education community sites yet offers opportunities to experience learning, living and working in our regional academies located in Southwestern Ontario.

You can contact the Office of Distributed Education for more information about other possible areas covered in Southwestern Ontario. Distributed Education can be contacted at: distributed.education@schulich.uwo.ca

Windsor-Essex County, Ontario

Approximately 200 km southwest from London, Ontario
Sites:
- Windsor Regional Hospital, Metropolitan & Ouellete Campuses
- Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
- Regional Family Practices in the Windsor/Amherstburg area
Windsor offers postgraduate residency programs in Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Internal Medicine. All other Windsor electives will provide excellent hospital, professional, and patient management coverage.

Hospital Onboarding Requirements/eLearning

You will receive an email from your hospital site closer to the start of the elective with further information regarding onboarding and required hospital eLearning.

Travel &
Accommodation

Please do not make any travel arrangements unless you have a confirmed elective.

There is no funding for transportation or accommodation provided for visiting student electives. Transportation and accommodation need to be arranged by the student, at the student’s expense.

Helpful Links

Immunization Requirements

The AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form 2024 is now available.

All students entering the AFMC Student Portal process for the first time must use the 2024 form.

Note that applicants from Canadian medical schools should not upload actual proof of immunizations unless required. Only upload the fully completed immunization (plus completed addenda as and where required).

Note that applicants from International medical schools must also upload proof of the information completed on the immunization form (i.e., childhood immunization records (yellow card), titers, lab reports, physician letters together with the fully completed immunization form).

The AFMC Immunization Form must be fully completed and reviewed during your Synergy Verified ERV appointment, after an elective placement is offered and accepted.

Proof of Influenza immunization is only required from students who will complete an elective between October and March of each year.

Clarification Regarding Special Requirements for Western Applicants

Section F: Tuberculosis (TB): Western University requires documented proof of a *TWO step TB skin test, any time in your life. IGRAs may be accepted in lieu of this requirement. (*A TWO step means two discrete tests at least a week apart, but up to one year apart. Adequate documentation means the date the test is planted must be recorded, the date it is read, and the mm of induration.)
All schools require a baseline TB assessment upon entry into medical school, as outlined on the AFMC Form. A two-step TST given at any time in the past is acceptable; a two-step TST does not need to be repeated. If the two-step TST was done more than six months prior to medical school entry, the student needs to have a single TST performed. In addition, Western University requires a repeat TST for students who answered “Yes” to any of the three TB exposure questions found in Section F. Tuberculosis (TB) of the AFMC Form. The TST must be performed eight or more weeks after the last known possible contact with infectious TB disease (e.g., return from an international elective) A TST should not be repeated if a student has a positive TB history.
All schools require students with a positive TST documented or any other positive TB history to have a chest X-ray dated subsequent to the positive TST or other positive TB history. A routine repeat or recent chest X-ray is not required unless there is a medical indication (e.g., symptoms of possible TB disease). Attach the report (or letter from a TB physician specialist or TB clinic report describing the film). This requirement does not apply to the following situations:
- Students who submit documentation showing adequate treatment for latent TB infection or active TB disease
- Students with a positive TST but negative interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), regardless of treatment history.
- Students who are currently pregnant
Section H. Hepatitis B: All applicants must have documented proof of a) hepatitis B immunization series; b) serology for Hep B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and c) Hep B surface antigen (HBsAg). Students with an incomplete documented series must complete Hepatitis B Not Immune, Self-Declaration Form (Appendix D).
Section I: Influenza: Western requires proof of an up-to-date seasonal influenza vaccination for all electives between November and June each year. We recognize that vaccines are only available in all provinces sometime during October.
Note that if the vaccine is administered WITHIN 14 days of the elective start date, then the student will still be subject to the same protocol applicable to non-vaccinated staff and healthcare workers. Should there be an influenza outbreak at the hospital at the time of the elective, then you can be required to wear a mask for the duration of the elective period / and a possible removal from clinic.

Relevant Policies

Student Assessment

It is the sole responsibility of every visiting student to ensure that their home school assessment form (maybe known as an elective evaluation form) has been completed by their preceptor and returned to their home school.

Schulich administration will not be responsible for tracking down any assessment forms after the student has returned to their home school.

Should a homeschool require a completed elective assessment/evaluation, then the student must provide such directly to the preceptor at the time of the elective.

The supervising physician or resident is responsible for assessing students while on an elective. Electronic requests prior to or after completion of the elective will not be completed.

Western does not require or keep a copy of any of the completed forms.

Preceptors are Western appointed physicians/residents and can duly complete and sign these assessment/evaluation forms on behalf of the Western Visiting Student Electives Office.

If you are experiencing difficulty getting your home school assessment completed, please reach out to electives@schulich.uwo.ca.

FAQ

Are electives given out by random lottery?

No. Electives are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. The number of spaces available vary per department and time of year.

Do you accept students for observerships?

Western does not arrange observerships as it is not for academic credit. For information, please visit the individual clinical department’s website for full information on how to apply for an observership.

Are fees refundable, even if I do not receive an elective?

No. Fees are non-refundable. For this reason, we strongly encourage students to read all of our requirements before submitting their application.

What are Western’s core clinical areas?

Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, and Surgery.

I am wondering what the chances are of getting placed for an elective?

We do not keep a central database of available positions so can’t provide you with availability.

Are you able to process my application although I do not have all the documentation?

Prerequisite documentation is not required during the application process. If an elective placement is offered and accepted, visiting elective students will then have their documentation reviewed through a third-party organization, Synergy Verified. See the Synergy tab for more information.

My school provides me with malpractice insurance. Can I waive part of my application fee as I do not need insurance?

No. This ensures that all students have appropriate coverage.

I am still not certain about your TB/TST requirements.

All schools require a baseline TB assessment upon entry into medical school, as outlined on the AFMC Form. In addition, Western University requires a repeat TST for students who answered “Yes” to any of the three TB exposure questions found in Section F. Tuberculosis (TB) of the AFMC Form. Quantiferon is NOT the gold standard when being used for the purposes of health care screening.

Here are the Canadian TB standards:

The TST must be performed eight or more weeks after the last known possible contact with infectious TB disease (e.g., return from an international elective).
The TST does not need to be submitted until the elective is officially approved. This requirement does not apply to students with a documented contraindication to the TST (e.g., previous positive TST).

Repeat Chest X-ray: All schools require students with a positive TST documented or any other positive TB history to have a chest X-ray dated subsequent to the positive TST or other positive TB history. A routine repeat or recent chest X-ray is not required unless there is a medical indication (e.g., symptoms of possible TB disease), Attach the report (or letter from a TB physician specialist or TB clinic report describing the film). This requirement does not apply to the following situations:

Students who submit documentation showing adequate treatment for latent TB infection or active TB disease
Students with a positive TST but negative interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), regardless of treatment history (note: this is the only situation where Western University will accept an IGRA result)
Students who are currently pregnant

Situations in which TST is recommended for testing but an IGRA is NOT acceptable:

The TST is recommended whenever it is planned to repeat the test later to assess risk of new infection (i.e. conversions), such as repeat testing in a contact investigation or serial testing of health care or other populations (e.g. corrections staff or prison inmates) with potential for ongoing exposure.

And the Ontario Hospital Standards:

HCWs whose TST status is unknown, and those previously identified as TST negative, regardless of history of BCG vaccine, require a baseline two-step TST (See Glossary), provided no contraindications to TST exist, unless they have:
- documented results of a prior two-step test; OR
- documentation of a negative TST within the last 12 months; in which case a single-step test may be given.

How long does it take to confirm an elective?

The turnaround time varies with each department, and elective choices can only be processed one at a time on a first-come first-serve basis. Typical wait times vary from 2-4 weeks.

Can I speed up my application by contacting a physician/department directly?

No. Students are not to contact a preceptor or department directly to arrange an elective. Failure to comply may result in a Letter of Professionalism and/or cancellation of your application.

May my parent(s) or an agent of my choosing contact your office to discuss my application?

No. We will only discuss your application with you.

I’ve paid my application fee. Am I guaranteed an elective placement?

No. Submitting an application does not guarantee a placement.

I received an elective offer email from the AFMC Portal – does that mean I have been placed?

Yes. This is a formal offer and at this time, you can no longer request any changes. You now have 7 days to accept or decline the offer. Should you decline the offer, then your application will automatically be cancelled and closed. Note that students are not permitted to participate in any other elective choices during the approved elective period as outlined and stipulated in the formal offer.

I had a great experience and want to show my appreciated with a gift for my preceptor. Is this allowed?

While we appreciate your enthusiasm, giving a gift of monetary value is discouraged as it can put the preceptor in an awkward position. Please feel free to show your appreciation with a hand-written letter or card expressing your thanks.

Do I have to evaluate my preceptor after an elective?

If requested – some departments may request that elective students complete an evaluation of the staff they have spent time with.

How do I get an evaluation of my elective?

You may bring an evaluation form from your school and have the preceptor complete the form during the rotation. Please return the fully completed home school evaluation form to your home school as Western does not require a copy.

School	Canadian Student Application Fee	Canadian Student Acceptance Fee	International Student Application Fee	International Student Acceptance Fee	Additional Fees Outside Portal
Western University	$100	$0	$500	$445

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