Clinical rotation

☝️ The most important information in brief

• The clinical internship is a mandatory internship for medical students
• The main goal is to apply theoretical knowledge in real medical contexts and develop practical skills.
• The clinical internship can also be completed abroad and offers insights into different medical work environments and cultures.
• According to the licensing regulations, students must complete a total of four months, divided into four internships.
• Components include inpatient clinical clerkship, outpatient clinical clerkship, and elective clinical clerkship.

The clinical internship is an essential part of your medical studies, during which you gain practical medical experience. This training period is legally stipulated in the licensing regulations for doctors and usually takes place during the semester breaks. It is important that you plan this time effectively in order to get the most out of your clinical internship. We are happy to support you if you would like to complete part of this practical training or individual clinical placements as part of a vacation abroad. The main goal of the clinical internship is to apply the knowledge you have acquired so far, which is mainly theoretical, in real medical contexts and to develop practical skills. Through this direct involvement in patient care, you can deepen your knowledge as a clinical intern and gain important experience for your future medical career.

According to the licensing regulations for doctors, as a medical student, you must complete a clinical internship totaling four months, which corresponds to 120 calendar days. This time is divided into four internships of 30 days each. You should complete these after successfully passing the Physikum or after obtaining your clinical internship qualification, but in any case before the so-called Hammerexamen, the second part of the medical examination. It is important that you complete these internships exclusively during the lecture-free period, i.e., during the semester breaks, the Christmas and Easter holidays, or a semester off. The clinical internships must be completed before the M2 Hammerexamen. If this is not completed beforehand, you will not be admitted to the M2! The disadvantage of clinical internships is that they are usually unpaid. However, some clinics offer certain benefits during the internship, such as free accommodation, meals, or vouchers, to compensate for this.

The clinical internship for medical students is divided into three main sections, although the exact structure may vary depending on the state and university.

1. Inpatient clinical internship: This lasts one month and must be completed in a facility with inpatient beds, such as a hospital or inpatient rehabilitation facility. Departments such as the emergency room, which do not offer permanent inpatient beds, are excluded.
2. Outpatient clinical internship: One month of this internship takes place in a doctor's office, either a general practitioner's office or a specialist's office. Alternatively, this clinical internship can also be completed in an outpatient medical facility such as a day clinic or an emergency room, provided that it is medically supervised.
3. Family doctor clinical internship: This one-month section is also completed in family medicine (general practice), which includes general practitioners, pediatricians, internists without specializations, and physicians who officially participate in family medicine.
4. Elective clinical placement: The elective clinical placement also lasts one month and can be completed in a variety of medical facilities of the student's choice. This can be in inpatient or outpatient settings, including specialized clinics, research institutes, or even abroad. This flexibility allows students to pursue specific interests and gain additional practical experience in their preferred medical fields.

Some universities also allow a one-month clinical internship to be divided into two 15-day sections, but a shorter duration per section is not permitted. Each section must be certified by a corresponding form from the university, which is stamped and signed by the respective institution. The collected certificates must then be submitted to the state examination office, which recognizes them. Only if all four months are verified is it possible to register for the final exam.

With the exception of the mandatory family medicine clerkship, you can also complete your clinical clerkships abroad, discovering the world and broadening your horizons. travel4med is here to help you. With our help, you will not only find suitable clinical placements in various countries, but also receive comprehensive advice and support in organizing your experience abroad. So immerse yourself in new cultures, expand your professional skills, and strengthen your intercultural competence.