Overview

Our observership programs provides undergrads and graduates from around the world the opportunity to expand their knowledge and deepen their expertise by coming through clinical and research areas in compliance with rules and regulations. Participants will be able to observe operative experience includes related procedures and process. Our busy outpatient clinics are an integral component of the program, providing preoperative evaluation and postoperative care of many of the patients.

Who is eligible?

Observers must be undergrads or graduates from outside of Turkey with special interest in the chosen department. Observers must be proficient in spoken and written English. All aspects of education and patient care are conducted in Turkish/English. Individuals who arrive without adequate English skills may be encouraged to terminate their observership prematurely.

What are observers’ responsibilities?

Application fees will be applied to any observer who decides to complete the formal application process following their initial inquiry. Individuals must assume all costs for transportation, room, board, and incidental expenses. Staff of RMK AIMES can assist observers in locating housing nearby the Hospital once the dates of the observership have been finalized. If it is determined that the individual’s level of funding is insufficient, the request for an observership will be denied. Individuals must obtain their own visas and are responsible for all required documentation for entry into Turkey. Staff of Koç University hospital can assist accepted observers in this process. Observers can negotiate their schedules and priorities to achieve their objectives. However, observers must attend clinical care and teaching sessions. Observerships may be canceled for individuals whose English is inadequate or who fail to attend core learning sessions. Observerships are limited to one to two at a time. Applications must be received at least three to six months prior to an anticipated visit. Applications may be denied if someone else has already signed up for an overlapping period or if the desired observership period overlaps with major scientific meetings.

How can observers apply?

Observers need to send an email request to apply@aimes.org or complete the online application form on our website to be considered.

http://www.kochealthcare.org/en/page/academics/clinical-observership-program

The request should include the following:

• Primary goals and objectives for the observership

• Passport copy

• Requested dates of observership (must be inserted in the application form)

• Completed curriculum vitae (in English)

• Copy of medical school diploma (Student certificate or transcript for undergrads)

• Letter from medical supervisor at the observer’s home institution attesting to the applicant’s credentials and the value expected from the observer’s visit (Dean’s letter or reference letter from Student affairs office of their faculty).

• Statement of funding – how the costs associated with the observership will be funded (If within a sponsorship or out of pocket).

Applicants will receive a response via email letting them know if their request can be considered and what addition information, if any, is needed. At this time, we will let the observer know the program fee. This fee is set by the length of stay requested. The program fee does not cover the cost of the observers VISA, housing, etc. during their time here, it is strictly a fee to participate in the program. Once, all necessary documentation is in place, a formal acceptance notice will be given. Information on how to pay these fees will be provided to the observer at appropriate times in the application process.

Training fee payment options

Candidates can complete their training fee payments via international bank transfer or by online payment link shared by the supervisor. Cash payments are not available at KUH.

Length of Observership

Koç University Hospital allows observers to visit for a minimum of one week, two weeks and four weeks. Mentioned period can be extended if certain conditions are met by the candidate.

Fees

Undergrads. 1 week $600,00, 2 weeks $1.100,00, 4 weeks $1.600,00.

Graduates. 1 week $900,00, 2 weeks $1.500,00, 4 weeks $2.200,00.

Mentioned fees are inclusive of 3 meals at hospital, certificate of attendance and VAT.

Housing

Accommodation is candidates’ responsibility and its not included in the fees. Nearby hotels, dormitories and apartments can be arranged through certain websites and systems. Our representatives will be happy to assist on such information.

Certification

On completion of the observership training, participants will receive a certificate of attendance signed by the Medical Director of Koç University Hospital with the support of Koç University School of Medicine. Examples can be provided upon request.

GUILDELINE AND GENERAL FRAME OF CLINICAL OBSERVERSHIP TRAINING

Koç University Hospital started its operations as a research and education hospital in September 2014.

Located in the Koç University Health Sciences Campus in Topkapı, İstanbul, the hospital aims to “practice the most recent medical approaches at the highest quality possible in a transparent manner”. The Health Sciences Campus spans over an area of 220.000 square meters; includes the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, research laboratories and an “Advanced Learning and Simulation Center”; and aspires to contribute to education of qualified human resources in the field of healthcare with an innovative approach and a dynamic team that matches North American standards. Students of Koç University School of Medicine attend the initial three years of their education at the Rumelifeneri Campus and resume a predominantly clinical training at Koç University Hospital starting from the fourth year.

The Genetic Diagnosis, IVF and Adult Stem Cell Centers were launched in 2016, followed with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Cosmetic Dermatology, Undersea Medicine and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy centers and the first phase of RMK AIMES in 2017. As of the year 2019, the hospital’s capacity increased to 410 single inpatient rooms, 55 intensive care units and 44 chemotherapy units in total. Over 32.200 operations were performed in the 14 operating rooms over the course of this period.

Since it became operational, Koç University Hospital has served approximately 51.000 inpatients and 834.000 outpatients, 49.600 of whom were international patients.  

The architectural design of Koç University Hospital reflects the essence of its treatment and care approach. In line with the principle of transparency and ensuring that patient privacy is always maintained, glass material was utilized extensively in interior design. Research laboratories are located right within the hospital complex as an indicator of the significance attributed to research. Spatial borders between the various disciplines and departments were avoided to promote a holistic system where clinical practices complement each other based on inquiring teamwork.

Dress code and Proxy visitor card

Scrubs and a Proxy visitor card will be provided by the hospital. Scrubs must be worn during training period. Surgical departments can also use light blue scrubs in the changing rooms of the ORs, but they can’t be used outside of ORs. They must be thrown into the dirty bins at the end of each training day. Dark blue scrubs can be kept after the training is completed; it doesn’t have to be returned. Trainees will be given lockers in the changing rooms of RMK AIMES. Some departments can provide lockers in the clinic as well. However, this is up to the availability of the selected departments.

Proxy visitor card will have enough access to the doors in the selected department and to the meals in the main cafeteria. Cards must be kept well and returned by the end of training period. In case of loss and fail to return the card, 50 USD fee will be charged from the trainee.

White coat is not provided to trainees. Participants can bring their own.

Participants must bring their own slippers or sneakers to be worn in the hospital only.

Training hours

Usual training hours start at 8 am and end at 6 pm in the weekdays. However, these hours can be changed or defined differently by supervisor physicians because of variable workflow. Furthermore, trainees can be called in at the weekends by their supervisor physicians according to his/her change of schedule or urgent need of operation/intervention.

Absence

Should the trainee have any excuse (illness, emergency, etc.) not to attend his/her clinical

rotation, they are expected to inform their contact person or supervisor physician. If the program is abused and misused by the trainee, supervisors have the right to cancel the rotation. Trainees are expected to inform their supervisors or contact person at least 1 day before. Upon cancellation, training fees are non-refundable.

Punctuality

At Koç Healthcare institutions, punctuality is very important among all staff, and we expect the same from trainees to be convenient to the program and to their supervisor physicians. This will help them to get reference at the end of their trainings.

Continuity

Continuity is the most important thing expected from all trainees. We see it as showing respect to supervisor physicians and being convenient to the training program. If the program is abused by the trainee, supervisors have their right to cancel the rotation.

Important notices of the training

·       Observers are not allowed to come into physical contact with any of the patients during their training.

·       This training does not involve any hands-on practice (except 6^th year medical students and interns).

·       First day meeting time is 9 am (Mondays are the usual starting dates).

·       Front desk of Koç University Hospital is the meeting point with program supervisor.

·       On the first day, trainees will be escorted and delivered to the selected department right after orientation (info tour) and registration (contract, scrubs, and proxy card).

·       National and Religious Holidays must be followed by the candidates before submitting application.

·       Applicants will be granted to obtain letter of acceptance upon completion of the training fees.

·       Reference letters can only be requested by the applicants who spent more than two weeks of training at KUH. One week is not considered adequate to issue such letters.

Cancellation policy

·       Cancellation at least 2 months prior to starting date full refund

·       Cancellation between 2 months – 1 month prior to starting date %25 deduction

·       Cancellation between 1 month – 15 days prior to starting date %50 deduction

·       Cancellation between 4 days – 14 days prior to starting date %75 deduction

·       Cancellation within the last 72 hours prior to starting date full charge

·       Visa rejections are not considered as force majeure, and it doesn’t affect the cancellation terms.

Main Cafeteria is on the M Floor

·       Breakfast: 06:00 – 08:00

·       Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00

·       Dinner: 17:30 – 19:00

Leisure time

Library (2^nd  floor), Pardon cafeteria (Ground floor and 1^st floor), Divan Cafeteria (1^st  floor), Divan Bakery (Ground floor), Atrium Café (1st floor), Mahve Café (-1 floor, next to ER).

Contact details

R Block – Ground floor – RMK AIMES (Rahmi M. Koç Academy of interventional Medicine, Education and Simulation.

Direct phone: +90 212 311 21 31

Email: apply@aimes.org