FAQs for UMASS students regarding electives at GS Medical College

1. Who can apply?
Any student who has started/would have started the clinical terms by the time of the proposed elective..

2. When should I apply?
You should apply at least 5 months in advance of your anticipated date of commencement of the elective.

3. How long can the elective period be?
Minimum - 3 weeks; maximum - 12 weeks. In addition, if during an elective period, of say, 3 weeks, you choose to rotate through more than one specialty, this is also generally possible subject to availability of vacancies.

4. Which time of the year are electives offered?
All through the year - except May which is the summer vacation for the medical school here

5. Which time of the year is the best?
November to February is the recommended period - as the weather is pleasant - (12 - 23 degrees C) From July to September we have heavy rains. Commuting may be difficult for a few days during this period due to floods. However, this is also the time when most infectious diseases like malaria, gastroenteritis, typhoid, leptospirosis etc occur. March to June is hot (38 - 42 degrees C).

6. How many students do you accept? Is there any vacancy now?
There is no real limit on the number of students we can take. We have a large teaching program and vacancies invariably exist. However, you are advised to indicate your period for the elective after due thought as it may be impossible for us to change the dates of the electives once decided upon.

7. Where are the letters to the Medical Council of India and the Government of India to be sent?
Send everything in a single envelope to us and we will handle the rest.

8. What shall we write for question 7: Applicant's likely address in India during stay?
If you know the address - write it here. If you do not, say "not yet finalised".

9. Is it a problem that at present I don't have a likely address in India ?
No. Simply state that the address in India is not decided.

10. What is meant by question 16 in Proforma A: "Have you taken the minimum time to reach the stage of the course, if not, explain"?
This is simply to see if you have failed and have had to repeat any terms. If not simply say "I have taken the minimum time".

11. I have passed almost all my medical examinations. By the time I plan to come to India , I will certainly have done so. Is it necessary to specify all those examinations or does "all exams" suffice? (question 11 in Proforma A)?
Mention the various medical examinations that you have passed such as first year exam, second year exam or similar exams

12. Will it be possible for me to be specifically attached to particular departments during my elective?
Yes. In your application material or covering letter, mention the specialties you would be interested in.

13. How does the allocation of elective posts work? How would I be informed about it?
In your application material, or covering letter, mention the specialties in which you would be interested. Almost always, you will be allowed to do the elective in the subject of your choice. We will inform you specifically only if this is NOT possible.

14. In training for foreign medical students, is it possible for me to apply for several specialists in 3 weeks? For example, general surgery for 1 week, internal medicine for 1 week, infectious disease for 1 week?
Yes. This is possible if you indicate it in your application material.

15. Is there any outreach clinic in rural area? And, can elective students be allowed to join such kind of clinic?
Yes. We have an outreach clinic. You have to ask for this specifically and this is assigned by our Preventive and Social Medicine department. The outreach clinic is about 25 KM away from the college and the students are transported back and forth each day by the institution.

16. How will we know if we have been accepted or if you have even received our application?
About 2 - 3 weeks after you mail your application material, if you do not receive any communication from us, please check with websitecontact@kem.edu regarding your application material. As a rule, we seldom reject students who fulfill our requirements. It takes up to 4 - 5 months to receive all clearances from agencies in India . Please check with us about 3 months after you send in your application regarding the status of your application.

17 .How is the matter of Visa handled? Is that arranged through my application, or do I have to apply for one through the Indian embassy here?
You have to arrange for visa in your country before you leave for India . To avoid any problems, we suggest you apply for a student’s visa.

18. Details of whom to contact on arrival.
You should contact Ms. Beena Desai in the students section of the college office on the ground floor of the college building. She is the clerk in charge of the paper work. Dr. Nithya Gogtay at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology (new Building, First Floor) will look after you needs while at GSMC.

19. Can we start the elective even before you receive approvals from the government authorities?
No. You can start your electives only after we receive permission from the Medical Council of India. Please confirm after about 12 weeks of sending your application.

20. What is the language of communication?
English is the language of teaching and communication amongst consultants, residents, medical students and nursing staff. Only a few patients speak English. Hence, for communicating with patients, knowledge of Marathi, Hindi and other Indian languages will help. Fellow students or paramedical personnel help in interpreting.

21. Are there any local students? Will there be other elective students?
Yes. Local students are invariably posted except during vacation times. So too, there may be other elective students.

22. Is there a dress code?
None in particular except that white coats- full or half sleeves- are compulsory when entering the hospital area.

23. What arrangements are possible for meals?
The hospital has three canteens / cafeterias which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Numerous restaurants are located within a 5 minutes' walking distance from the hospital, which serve all kinds of Indian and Chinese dishes, and fast food. As a matter of fact, there will be restaurants with 2-5 minutes' walking distance at any location in Mumbai. The cost of a sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner will be US $ 2 - 4.

24. I will be arriving at Bombay airport. Will there be a shuttle service picking me up from the airport, and if yes how much will it cost?

There are no shuttle services. Please hire a prepaid taxi at the airport. The fare to the hospital will be around Rs. 300 (non A/C).

25. How much will transport or commuting cost?
Travelling by bus will cost from Rs.4 to Rs.10 one way (US$1 = Rs 46 approximately). Trains too will charge Rs.4 - Rs.25. Cabs charge approximately Rs.7 per kilometer with a minimum fare of Rs.13. It may be worth remembering that a resident doctor pays for his living expenses (excluding accommodation), books, travel, entertainment, and all other expenses with a monthly salary of approximately US$ 125 - 200.
Bombay 's traffic can be chaotic and students are warned to be cautious while crossing roads as motorists usually do not respect pedestrians' right of way.

26. Is there anything else we need that may not be listed on your website?
No. We need no further documentation. The details on the website are up to date.

27. I was wondering about the hours and schedule of the clinical elective, Which days of the week will I be working, what hours, and is call required?
Pl. see http://www.kem.edu/college/course_descript.htm for details.

28. Is post exposure prophylaxis available for HIV.
Yes. It is available on the campus.

29. Is your medical school a University Medical Center ?
Yes. We are affiliated to the Maharashtra University of Medical Sciences ( Maharashtra is the sate in which the city of Mumbai ( Bombay ) is located)

30.What type of electrical outlets India has and; what do I need to use my appliances there?
We have 220V AC. The plugs have round connections.

31.What is the telephone number of the college and hospital?
91 22 24136051 is the telephone number for the college and the hospital.

32. In case of an emergency,  is there an evacuation plan for foreigners?
There has been no need for this in the last 60 years! But the government will have contingency plans.

33. If I got sick while on elective, would I be able to access health care?
Yes.

34. Is there internet access at the university and hospital and is it available 24 hours a day?
All departments have internet access - so does the library. There are many cyber cafes around the campus.

35. Is the K.E.M. Hospital connected to Bombay University ?
Bombay is situated in the state of Maharashtra . A few years back, a separate medical university called the Maharshtra University of Medical Sciences (MUHS) was created by the government and all medical courses of the University of Bombay were transferred to this university. Thus, our college affiliation was also transferred from the University of Mumbai ( Bombay ) to MUHS. The University of Mumbai no longer runs any medical courses.

36. Are universal precautions observed in KEM hospital and Seth GS medical School?
Yes. With some limitations.

*Rs. 1 US $ = Rs. 40 appox.