Electives Overview
Discover how electives open up a world of opportunity and can help you reach your academic and professional goals. Explore the multiple pathways available to you.
Dr. Margaret Wilson, Director of Electives
Looking to:
• improve your clinical skills?
• explore postgraduate programs in preparation for residency?
• expand your professional network?
• broaden your knowledge by exploring a different area of medicine?
Whatever your goal, the University of Ottawa likely has an elective tailored to your needs. The staff of the Electives Office would be pleased to assist you in organizing it.
• improve your clinical skills?
• explore postgraduate programs in preparation for residency?
• expand your professional network?
• broaden your knowledge by exploring a different area of medicine?
Whatever your goal, the University of Ottawa likely has an elective tailored to your needs. The staff of the Electives Office would be pleased to assist you in organizing it.
Planning an elective
For a rich and diverse experience, we recommend that you complete 5 (10-hour) electives in different medical fields during your first and second year. These placements provide hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced preceptors.
Why electives?
- Discovering specialties: You can immerse yourself in a variety of medical specialties and subspecialties and fine-tune your interests.
- Familiarization with the medical environment: You will gain valuable knowledge of health care settings by visiting various hospitals and clinics.
- Residency readiness: You will be better equipped for your future by exercising your talents in specific medical areas.
- Self-awareness: You will get to know yourself better and will be able to refine your career choices.
A world of possibilities
Use your imagination when setting up electives. Here are some examples of areas to consider:
- Medical education: Work with leading educators to deepen your understanding of medicine.
- History of medicine: Explore the roots of the medical profession to better understand its evolution.
- Community work: Use your medical skills to serve your local community.
- Basic science: Immerse yourself in the world of research and basic science.
- International health: Discover how medicine transcends borders.
- Occupational health: Explore the field dedicated to workers’ wellness and safety as well as preventive medicine.
For more information on different elective opportunities, visit:
Step 1: Check availability
Contact the appropriate hospital department electives coordinator to confirm that the elective you chose is available for the requested duration and dates. Refer to the Contact list for electives in Ottawa for specific contact information for each specialty.
Note: This link is intended for University of Ottawa students only. The username and password are the same as the ones used to access your One45 or Elentra account. If you need assistance, please contact the electives coordinator at uomed@uOttawa.ca.
Step 2: Plan around your course schedule
Electives should take place during the time slots allocated in your schedule, i.e., “Self-study/Elective time”. Planning an elective during curricular activities whether mandatory or not may be considered a breach of professionalism. Some departments may choose not to offer morning electives on weekdays, as they know that this is curricular time.
Step 3: Choose a preceptor
Ensure that your preceptor is a practising physician, not a resident.
Step 4: Avoid conflicts of interest
Learn about the Conflict of Interest in Clinical Placements Policy.
Note that changing or cancelling an elective is highly discouraged. It is therefore essential that you choose your electives carefully. If you absolutely have to make a modification, you must notify the department coordinator and/or your supervisor in writing at least 6 weeks before the start of the elective.
Failure to adhere to this national cancellation policy will be considered a breach of professionalism and may be reported to the director of electives and the vice-dean of undergraduate medical education.
IMPORTANT: You MUST register your electives PRIOR to the start date, or they will be declined. This approval ensures your protection with malpractice and liability insurance.
Once your elective planned, follow these steps:
- Go to the Student tools page.
- Enter your username and password (same as One45 or Elentra).
- Open your file by choosing “Clinical Placement”.
- Choose “Request approval for an elective”.
- Complete all sections of the form and then choose “Submit”.
Once your elective is approved, your clinical placement file will be automatically updated. Allow 48 to 72 hours.
Electives in the city of Ottawa:
- Choose the name of your preceptor in the drop-down list. If their name is not listed, select the option “Preceptor does not appear in list”, and enter their full name and email address in the comment box. Their name will be added to the list, and we will contact you to get additional information if needed.
- If no preceptor has been assigned to you when you receive confirmation, select the option “Elective confirmed by Department Coordinator”. At the end of the elective, update the information with the preceptor who supervised you.
To submit your elective evaluations:
- Open your clinical placement account.
- Identify the elective you have completed and click on the “COMPLETED” button to indicate that the elective is done.
- Update the elective details, if necessary, and save changes. The status will change to “Completed-pending evaluation”.
- Click on the “EVALUATION” button and complete the 3 mandatory steps:
- Evaluation of preceptor by student
- Evaluation of elective experience by student
- Evaluation of student by preceptor—Send evaluation to preceptor
- Once the evaluation is sent to your preceptor (status: Pending Evaluation by Preceptor), they will receive a reminder every 10 days until the evaluation is completed.
- You will then be able to view your evaluation in your file (status: Closed).
Please note that evaluations are essential to validate your electives.
The purpose of this clinical week is to help you enhance your clinical skills and explore different specialties to guide your choice of residency. The objectives for this elective will vary depending on your main orientation.
The Mandatory Clinical Week will take place from March 24 to 28, 2025. For further details please write to uomed@uOttawa.ca.
Note that the Mandatory Clinical Week placement must be of at least 20 hours in duration.
Under a lot of stress and it’s having an impact on your well-being during an elective? Reach out to the Electives Office staff at uomed@uOttawa.ca.
Remember, you have access to confidential counselling and referral services. If you need help, do not hesitate to book an appointment with a member of the Student Affairs Office team.
- Accidents in the clinical setting and insurance
- Request for a Letter of Good Standing — online form
- Policy on Professionalism
- Risk management — Student placement resources
3rd year: There is no scheduled elective time.
4th year: To learn more about elective opportunities, visit the 4th year program page.
Canadian students
We are pleased to offer clerkship clinical electives to medical students from Canadian universities as well as Canadian medical students enrolled in international undergraduate medical programs listed and approved in the World Directory of Medical Schoolsnorth_eastexternal link.
Please visit the AFMC Student Portalnorth_eastexternal link for information on registration and eligibility.
International students
We are presently unable to offer clinical or observational elective placements to non-Canadian medical students studying abroad. Thank you for your understanding.
Ethics and etiquette for electives
Here are some key tips to ensure a productive and rewarding elective experience:
- Planning the elective: You must follow guidelines in place for the type of elective you request.
- Confirmation of details: Verify the dates and times of your elective when you receive the confirmation call. Ask all your questions to avoid having to call back.
- Clarify your expectations: Communicate your goals and expectations clearly to your preceptor on the first day. It is useful to document them in writing.
- Punctuality: Show up on time. Notify well in advance if you will be late or can’t make it.
- Respect: Always introduce yourself to patients as a medical student and ask for their permission to observe or participate in the examination. Don’t forget to thank them for their cooperation.
- Privacy: Never enter an examining room once the consultation is underway unless specifically asked to do so. Knock before entering any closed room.
- Dress code: Dress according to the norms of the clinic or service in which you are working. Always wear your name tag.
- Cordial relations: Show kindness and respect to office staff. They played a key role in coordinating your placement.
- Show your appreciation: At the end of your elective, write a short note to your supervisor and their staff thanking them for their time and cooperation.
- Evaluation: Ensure that your evaluation has been completed by both you and your supervisor, and review the comments together. Always keep a copy of your evaluations before handing them to the UGME Office.
- Report issues: Please voice any problems or concerns pertaining to your elective to the Elective Subcommittee via uomed@uOttawa.ca.
Following these tips will help make your elective experience a success.