FAQs: MALTA MEDICAL ELECTIVES PROGRAMME GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................... 3 1.
I am not a Medical Student, am I eligible to apply for a Medical Electives Programme? ...................... 3
2.
I am a qualified Medical Doctor interested in a Medical Electives Programme before starting the Foundation Programme. Will you accept my application form? ............................................................ 3
3.
Will I be able to gain hands-on experience during the Medical Electives Programme?......................... 3
4.
Will I be awarded a Certificate on completion of my elective placement? ............................................ 3
5.
What is a 'Home Certificate' ? ................................................................................................................. 3
6.
Which hospital will I be assigned to? ...................................................................................................... 3
7.
Can I apply for a Psychiatry placement? ................................................................................................. 3
8.
Are there any specialties which offer placements during summer only?............................................... 4
9.
I am a fourth year medical student can I have a placement in Accident and Emergency or Paediatrics? ............................................................................................................................................. 4
10.
On which days and times should I be at the hospital during an elective placement? ............................ 4
11.
I would like to gain as much exposure to the operating theatre/ward rounds/outpatients/radiology as possible. Can I have my placement solely at the operating theatre? ................................................ 4
APPLICATION PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................ 4 12.
How to apply? ......................................................................................................................................... 4
13.
Do I need a Visa to carry out a Medical Electives Programme in Malta? ............................................... 5
14.
I need a Visa to travel to Malta. How will this affect my application process? ...................................... 5
15.
Is the Medical Elective Programme open for students on Erasmus grants? .......................................... 5
16.
My home university requires the signature of a training agreement which lays out the conditions of the elective programme. Will my application be considered? .............................................................. 5
17.
Do I submit my Health Form together with the Application Form? ....................................................... 5
18.
What is the process for a Health Form to be officially approved? ......................................................... 5
19.
I might not be able to attend on the first day of the elective placement. Will this affect my certification? ........................................................................................................................................... 6
20.
I am required by my home University to do a certain number of days at the host university and I am planning to end my stay on a Sunday/public holiday. Is this possible? ......................................... 6
21.
How long does it take for me to receive the official letter of acceptance from the University of Malta Medical School? ............................................................................................................................ 6
22.
Will I receive a provisional letter of acceptance indicating that unless there are problems related to the health form I will secured a place in the programme? ................................................................ 6
23.
My application was approved but I would like to change the speciality. Is this possible? ..................... 6
24.
What does the administration fee cover? .............................................................................................. 6
25.
How will I know the total amount of administration and application fees to be paid? ......................... 7
26.
Do I pay the Administration Fee when I submit my application? ........................................................... 7
27.
When should I settle the Administration and Application Fees?............................................................ 7
28.
Can I deposit the accommodation fee in the same account of the Medical Electives Programme? ..... 7
29.
What are the current standard elective fees? ........................................................................................ 7
30.
How can I pay for my electives placement?............................................................................................ 8
31.
What is the procedure for settlement of payment of invoice once you are in Malta? ......................... 8
32.
What is the Cancellation Policy? ............................................................................................................. 8
YOUR ELECTIVE PLACEMENT IN MALTA............................................................................................................... 8 33.
At what time should I arrive at Medical School on my first day of the elective period? ........................ 8
34.
What should I bring with me on my first day of the elective period? .................................................... 9
35.
Are internet facilities available?.............................................................................................................. 9
36.
If I have a problem during my stay in Malta, who should I contact? ...................................................... 9
37.
What are the office hours for Medical School administrative support? ................................................ 9
38.
What is the dress code of the hospital? ................................................................................................. 9
39.
Is it mandatory to wear a lab coat during the placement? ..................................................................... 9
40.
What medical equipment might be useful during my elective placement? ........................................... 9
41.
Should I get my own surgical scrub? ....................................................................................................... 9
42.
I am feeling sick and unable to attend for part of my elective placement. What should I do? ............ 10
43.
What should I do at the end of my elective period?............................................................................. 10
ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................................................................ 10 44.
Do you offer student accommodation? ................................................................................................ 10
45.
How can I book my accommodation? ................................................................................................... 10
46.
Do you offer an airport pick-up service?............................................................................................... 10
OTHER QUERIES ................................................................................................................................................. 11 47.
Do you organise insurance cover for Elective Students? ...................................................................... 11
48.
Do you offer Elective Placements in Dental Surgery? ........................................................................... 11
49.
Do you offer Nursing Electives? ............................................................................................................ 11
50.
Do you offer a post-MD Foundation Programme? ............................................................................... 11
51.
What languages are used in Malta? ...................................................................................................... 11
52.
Is English widely spoken in Malta?........................................................................................................ 11
53.
Are there any websites that I might find useful during my elective period in Malta? ......................... 11
54.
I have a question which was not included in this list. Who may I contact?.......................................... 12
GENERAL INFORMATION 1. I am not a Medical Student, am I eligible to apply for a Medical Electives Programme? No. Only students attending a medical course at Universities other than the University of Malta are accepted.
2. I am a qualified Medical Doctor interested in a Medical Electives Programme before starting the Foundation Programme. Will you accept my application form? Yes.
3. Will I be able to gain hands-on experience during the Medical Electives Programme? Elective placements are primarily observatory in nature and will be certified as such. There might be some hands-on experience but this is always at the discretion of the Consultant responsible for the Firm.
4. Will I be awarded a Certificate on completion of my elective placement? At the end of your clinical attachment the Electives Office awards elective students a Certificate of Attendance.
5. What is a 'Home Certificate'? Some Universities ask their students to use their certificate when they go on an elective placement overseas. When applicants fill in their application they should indicate that they will be supplying their Home Certificate, a copy of which must be scanned with the application prior to its approval by the University of Malta Medical School.
6. Which hospital will I be assigned to? Elective placements can take place in the following teaching hospitals, depending on the speciality, click on each hospital to go to its website: (a) (b) (c) (d)
Mater Dei Hospital (all specialities, except for Geriatrics, Oncology and Dermatology) Karin Grech Hospital (Geriatrics) Sir Paul Boffa Hospital (Dermatology and Oncology) The full list of specialties offered is available on the website at: www.mmsa.org.mt/electives/specialities-and-teaching-hospitals/
7. Can I apply for a Psychiatry placement? Psychiatry is not one of the specialties offered for elective placements. 3
8. Are there any specialties which offer placements during summer only? Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Neurology are only available during summer on a first come first served basis.
9. I am a fourth year medical student can I have a placement in Accident and Emergency or Paediatrics? Placements in Accident and Emergency and in Paediatrics are offered only to final year medical students.
10. On which days and times should I be at the hospital during an elective placement? Unless directed otherwise by the Consultant elective students are generally expected to be with the Firm they are attached to as follows: Monday to Friday from: 0800hrs to 1430hrs Saturday from: 0800hrs to 1300hrs.
11. I would like to gain as much exposure to the operating theatre/ward/rounds/ outpatients/radiology as possible. Can I have my placement solely at the operating theatre? No, this is not possible. An elective student is attached to a Consultant’s Firm, therefore students will be shadowing the Consultant according to the Firm’s schedule.
APPLICATION PROCESS 12. How to apply? Applicants should submit all the following documents by email or by post to the MMSA Electives Coordinator (full address of the MMSA Electives Coordinator is written on the application form): (a) Application form; (b) 1 passport sized photo - if the application is sent by email please attach a digital photo and then on the first day of your elective period, please present one passportsized photo for the identification card; (c) Scanned copy of the Visa or Schengen Visa if applicable. More details regarding Visa in sections 13 and 14 below. (d) A letter of recommendation from the Home University confirming that the applicant is a medical student; (e) A copy of the Home Certificate if applicable.
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13. Do I need a Visa to carry out a Medical Electives Programme in Malta? For more information on whether or not you need a Visa for Malta please refer to the following website http://mfa.gov.mt/default.aspx?MDIS=530
14. I need a Visa to travel to Malta. How will this affect my application process? Unless the electives office receives a copy of your visa your application for an elective placement cannot be officially approved. (a) The Embassy/Consulate might need a letter of invitation from the University of Malta. The Letter of Invitation is not the official letter of acceptance; (b) The Letter of Invitation will be issued once you settle the following in full: (i) the Application Fee (ii) the Administration Fee and (iii) the Accommodation Fee (if staying at the MMSA apartments). (c) The Embassy/Consulate might request the evidence of full payment before a visa is issued. The official acceptance letter will be issued following presentation of a valid visa. (d) If a visa is not issued, all fees less any bank charges incurred will be refunded. The applicant must ensure that the Visa is valid for the entire duration of the elective placement in Malta.
15. Is the Medical Elective Programme open for students on Erasmus grants? No. 16. My home university requires the signature of a training agreement which lays out the conditions of the elective programme. Will my application be considered? No.
17. Do I submit my Health Form together with the Application Form? No. Health Forms should only be submitted following receipt of the letter of acceptance issued by the University of Malta Medical School. All students are accepted conditionally subject to the approval of the Health Form and all the required test results, and receipt of payment of 50% of the administration and application fees. 18. What is the process for a Health Form to be officially approved? (a) The Health Form can be downloaded from the website: http://mmsa.org.mt/electives/health-form/ (b) The Health Form should be signed. The Form as well as any results should then be scanned and sent to the Medical Officer in charge of Occupational Health through an email to: robert.a.galea@gov.mt (c) Copies of ALL test results and documentation should be in ENGLISH. They should also be scanned and attached to the same email. 5
(d) The email should be sent not later than 6 weeks before the commencement of your elective placement. Failure of submission within this deadline would mean that your application is withdrawn. (e) Insufficient information will require further enquiries and may delay the application process.
19. I might not be able to attend on the first day of the elective placement. Will this affect my certification? Although the Letter of Acceptance stipulates the dates you applied for, the certificate shows the actual commencement and end date.
20. I am required by my home University to do a certain number of days at the host university and I am planning to end my stay on a Sunday/public holiday. Is this possible? No, commencement dates should be between Monday and Friday and end dates should be between Monday and Saturday except when there are public holidays.
21. How long does it take for me to receive the official letter of acceptance from the University of Malta Medical School? You will receive the official letter of acceptance approximately two months prior to the commencement of your medical elective placement. This is subject to the approval of the Health Form by the Occupational Health Unit.
22. Will I receive a provisional letter of acceptance indicating that unless there are problems related to the health form I will secured a place in the programme? Yes, a provisional letter of acceptance will be sent by the Electives Officer of MMSA.
23. My application was approved but I would like to change the speciality. Is this possible? A change to a different speciality is only considered if the Electives Office is given at least four weeks advance notice and is subject to availability.
24. What does the administration fee cover? For more information regarding the administration fees and what they cover, please refer to our website on: www.mmsa.org.mt/electives/application-form/application-form-no-visa/
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25. How will I know the total amount of administration and application fees to be paid? An invoice with the total amount of application and administration fees will be sent after you receive the letter of acceptance. You will be asked to do a deposit of 50% of the total Administrative and Application fees (vide 27, 28 & 30 below).
26. Do I pay the Administration Fee when I submit my application? Currently students are not asked to pay any fees when submitting application forms. The application fee should be submitted following receipt of invoice which is sent after you have been sent the letter of acceptance. As from January 2015 new applicants will be required to pay the administration fee through a bank transfer when they submit the application. Applications will only be processed following receipt of the bank transfer.
27. When should I settle the Administration and Application Fees? 50% of the total amount due is to be effected 30 days prior to your arrival in Malta. Just before the 30 day deadline, you will be sent a reminder and instructions of how to affect the bank transfer of the fees from your home country. You will be asked to settle the balance on your first day of the elective period (vide 32 below).
28. Can I deposit the accommodation fee in the same account of the Medical Electives Programme? No. The accommodation fee should not be deposited in the Electives bank account, but you should contact the MMSA on this email address electives@mmsa.org.mt and finance@mmsa.org.mt for further details.
29. What are the current standard elective fees? Current Elective Administrative and Application fees applicable as at 09/07/14 (Rates are subject to change) Application fees - €75 Paid once Administrative fees - €69.88/week of elective period Thus, a typical 4 week Elective period would cost €354.52. (€69.88 x 4 [weeks]) + €75.00 [application fee; paid once] = €354.52/ month The Elective fees do not include Accommodation expenses but are only administrative fees related to your elective period.
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30. How can I pay for my electives placement? The only accepted method of payment is through bank transfers.
31. What is the procedure for settlement of payment of invoice once you are in Malta? During the introductory meeting on your first day of your elective period Ms. Natalie Schembri will give you an invoice with the outstanding balance of fees to be paid. Please follow the following procedure for final settlement of fees: Within two days of the introductory meeting students are required to pay the outstanding balance through: (a) a bank transfer, or (b) by making a cash deposit in our bank account at a local Bank of Valletta Branch. Kindly find the following link which will help you locate the closest bank branch: https://www.bov.com/page.asp?p=10842. In case of bank transfer: After payment is settled, a receipt by email is sent acknowledging settlement of the final balance is sent by the Medical School Electives Office. In case of cash deposit: If a cash deposit is done at a Bank of Valletta Branch, you are to bring the receipt to my office during office hours (see below) so as to be able to take a photocopy of it.
32. What is the Cancellation Policy? Cancellation of the Elective Programme may be effected by sending an email to the Electives Office on medicalelective.ms@um.edu.mt and electives@mmsa.org.mt. The following policy applies: (a) Cancellation up to 1 month prior to your elective period: 25% fee of amount paid. (b) Cancellation up to 2 weeks prior to your elective period: 50% fee of amount paid. (c) Cancellation after commencement of your elective period: No refund. (d) Any bank charges involved in the refund transaction will be borne by the student.
YOUR ELECTIVE PLACEMENT IN MALTA 33. At what time should I arrive at Medical School on my first day of the elective period? You are kindly requested to be at the Electives Meeting Point in the Foyer of the Medical School at Mater Dei Hospital at 0745hrs. Kindly check the following link for detailed view of the Hospital Plan: http://mmsa.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Mater_Dei_Plan.pdf 8
34. What should I bring with me on my first day of the elective period? On your first day of your placement you will be asked for the following: (a) the Passport (b) the VISA Card/Cash to settle the 50% remaining balance.
35. Are internet facilities available? You will be given a University of Malta Username and Password which entitles you to internet access in the Medical School Library, which is on site at Mater Dei Hospital.
36. If I have a problem during my stay in Malta, who should I contact? (e) Please contact MMSA regarding any problems related to your accommodation on: electives@mmsa.org.mt. (f) Please address problems related to your Medical Electives Placement to the Electives Coordinator on medicalelective.ms@um.edu.mt or visit the Electives Office at the Medical School.
37. What are the office hours for Medical School administrative support? Monday to Friday From 16th June till 30th September: 0730 to 1330 hrs st th From 1 October till 15 June: 0745 to 1230 and 1330 to 1700 hrs N.B. Elective placements always start during working days i.e. Monday to Friday.
38. What is the dress code of the hospital? The Dress Code document can be downloaded from the MMSA website: http://mmsa.org.mt/electives/downloads/
39. Is it mandatory to wear a lab coat during the placement? Lab coats are optional.
40. What medical equipment might be useful during my elective placement? Although the elective period is observatory in nature, you might find it useful to bring a Stethoscope with you.
41. Should I get my own surgical scrub? Surgical scrubs are provided by the Mater Dei Hospital Surgery Department. 9
42. I am feeling sick and unable to attend for part of my elective placement. What should I do? The Electives Coordinator should be immediately informed on this email address: medicalelective.ms@um.edu.mt so that the Consultant you are assigned with will be duly informed. A medical certificate must be presented to the Electives Coordinator as soon as possible.
43. What should I do at the end of my elective period? At the end of your elective period: (a) return the Mater Dei Hospital Access Card and the tag; (b) ask the Consultant and the Electives Coordinator to sign the Certificate of Attendance; (c) ask the Consultant to sign any Home Certification needed by your Home University, if applicable.
ACCOMMODATION 44. Do you offer student accommodation? MMSA offers accommodation on a First Come First Served Basis. All queries related to accommodation should be directed to electives@mmsa.org.mt only.
45. How can I book my accommodation? Please book your accommodation once you receive confirmation for your elective by sending the dates of your entire stay to electives@mmsa.org.mt and finance@mmsa.org.mt once you have the dates available. Payment details will be sent to you upon approval of the booking. This is on a first-come-first-served basis, as the accommodation places are limited.
46. Do you offer an airport pick-up service? Students who book the MMSA Apartments are provided with airport transfers organized by MMSA. Flight details should be sent to MMSA on electives@mmsa.org.mt or to finance@mmsa.org.mt.
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OTHER QUERIES 47. Do you organise insurance cover for Elective Students? No. Applicants are encouraged to organize their insurance cover before travelling to Malta.
48. Do you offer Elective Placements in Dental Surgery? No. The Faculty of Dental Surgery is unable to offer elective placements.
49. Do you offer Nursing Electives? The Medical Electives Programme does not offer nursing electives. Students can express their interest by contacting the Department of Nursing Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Malta on the following link: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences/
50. Do you offer a post-MD Foundation Programme? The University of Malta Medical School does not offer a post-MD Foundation Programme. For details about the Foundation Programme offered to MD graduates you may contact the Foundation Studies at Mater Dei Hospital. Details about the programme and eligibility criteria may be found on the following website: http://www.fpdoctors.info/index.php?page=eligibility-2013.
51. What languages are used in Malta? The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.
52. Is English widely spoken in Malta? Yes.
53. Are there any websites that I might find useful during my elective period in Malta? Kindly find below some interesting websites, which you might find useful before & whilst you are in Malta: (a) http://www.visitmalta.com/ (General information about Malta) (b) https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/health_institutions/hospital_services/mater_dei _hospital/mater_dei.aspx (Information about Mater Dei Hospital) (c) http://weather.maltairport.com/en/home-weather.htm (Weather Forecast for Malta) (d) http://www.visitgozo.com/ (General information about Gozo) (e) http://www.yellowpages.com.mt/ (Yellow Pages - Malta) (f) http://goo.gl/maps/KgBdq (Malta Bus Routes) 11
(g) http://goo.gl/maps/MOx3G (Bus Directions from Mater Dei Hospital to Sir Paul Boffa Hospital – for students who have an elective in Dermatology & Oncology). (h) http://goo.gl/maps/dDiVi (Bus Directions from Mater Dei Hospital to Karen Grech Hospital a.k.a. St. Luke’s Hospital – for students who have an elective in Geriatrics) (i) https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/health_institutions/hospital_services/mater_dei _hospital/hospital_layout/mater_dei_hospitallayout.aspx (Mater Dei Hospital Layout)
54. I have a question which was not included in this list. Who may I contact? For more information, first visit our website on www.mmsa.org.mt/electives. For queries related to MMSA accommodation and the transport pick up from the airport (only if you are accommodated at MMSA apartments), kindly contact the MMSA Electives Coordinator: electives@mmsa.org.mt. For queries related to Health Form, Certification and other general issues about your elective period in Malta, kindly contact the Electives Coordinator on: medicalelective.ms@um.edu.mt. For queries related to settling of administration and application fees, kindly contact Mr. Daniel Colombo on: daniel.colombo@um.edu.mt.
Last updated: 15th July 2014
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