the post-mbbs research training program

Cleveland Clinic and the Dr. Nirmala Swami Charitable Trust have established a Post-MBBS Research Training program for Indian Medical Graduates through Cleveland Clinic's Center for Graduate Medical Education. This Program is intended to provide International Medical Graduates from India, selected by the Dr. Nirmala Swami Charitable Trust and Cleveland Clinic, with the opportunity to study general principles of research, participate in research projects, and prepare for further post-graduate medical education in the United States, while preparing for USMLE Steps1, 2CK & CS, and ECFMG Certification. The program is open to applicants interested in an experience that includes participation in clinical didactics, clinical observation, and conducting clinical research in the following specialties: Cardiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Pulmonary/Critical Care. Additional specialties may be available on a negotiated/select basis.

learning objectives

• Acquire basic clinical research principles and participate in at least one research project
• Receive embedded exposure to clinical care in the American medical system and exposure to the latest research and medical techniques and procedures
• Development of personal leadership traits necessary for growth and career advancement (e.g., emotional intelligence, negotiation, etc.)
• Develop a longstanding relationship with a faculty member who can act as a mentor for fellowship placement, communication skills, and career advice
• Complete On-line course work in preparation for the USMLE examination

program description

The Post-MBBS Research Training Program is 12 months in length, during which the post-MBBS fellow will also be enrolled in a USMLE Review course to assist in preparing for his/her USMLE Step 2 CS examination. The goal of this program is to enhance the knowledge and skills of the foreign medical graduate to better their chances of success in completing the Clinical Skills Assessment portion of USMLE. It will also provide an insight into the U.S. medical system, which will be helpful when interviewing for U.S. residency programs. Credit for certification by an American specialty board may not be granted for fellowship training without first completing residency training in a U.S. residency program.The Program curriculum includes:

1. Coursework regarding the principles of clinical research
2. Participation in and mentorship in a research project
3. Observation in actual clinical and research settings
4. Participation in ongoing clinical conferences such as grand rounds and all relevant departmental lectures and teaching series
5. Attendance at personal and professional development workshops including those offered at Cleveland Clinic Academy (see here)
6. Post-MBBS fellows may select from a number of online courses offered by the Cleveland Clinic Center for Online Medical Education and Training (COMET) and/or the Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Education Research and Development Program (CMERAD)

Coursework regarding the principles of clinical research: The Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Education Research and Development (CMERAD) will provide courses in Medical Statistics and Research and Proposal Development. The Cleveland Clinic Center for Online Medical Education and Training (COMET) offers the following online courses:

1. Bioethics
2. Pain Management
3. Quantitative Research
4. Medical/Scientific Writing
5. Teaching Essentials

Participation in and mentorship in a research project: Each post-MBBS fellow will have an individual, one-on-one mentor and conduct a specialty-specific research project in conjunction with a physician in the hosting Department/Institute at Cleveland Clinic. This participation will include regular individual and group meetings with the Program Medical Advisor and the research mentor (if a different individual). It is hoped that the research experience will encourage and lead to peer-reviewed publications, presentations and or posters by the post-MBBS fellow. It may also involve additional opportunities provided to the pre-fellow as determined by the faculty member.

Observation: The post-MBBS fellow will participate as a clinical and research observer with a faculty member or other physicians within their specialty of interest. This will allow the gain of a basic overview of the American medical system; the observation of approaches to medicine; exposure to the latest research techniques and procedures; and the development of skills in clinical research.

Participation in ongoing clinical conferences: Each fellow will attend regular grand rounds and lectures/teaching series in their specialty along with the Department’s/Institute’s residents/fellows. For example, some Institutes dedicate monthly Education Days (a series of lectures on a unified topic presented within a single day curriculum) which the participants would be expected to attend. In the case of the Medicine Institute, academic half days are offered once weekly for each training cohort (e.g., PGY1, PGY2, PGY3) to provide a didactic program. It is expected that the participant would attend the weekly PGY1-oriented academic half day sessions.

Attendance at personal and professional development workshops: To address personal growth and preparation for an academic medical career, each post-MBBS fellow will attend workshops regarding personal development, research design, and library use. A specific curriculum of courses on leadership competencies and systems thinking in health care will also be assembled for the participant (in discussion with the leadership of the Cleveland Clinic Academy, see here).

Evaluation: The Program Medical Advisor will evaluate each post-MBBS fellow on a monthly basis; a monthly record of these evaluations will be maintained and feedback provided to the post-MBBS fellow and his/her sponsors. Written evaluations and progress reports will be generated for the post-MBBS fellows’ files and will also be shared with the post-MBBS fellow’s sponsor.

USMLE preparation: Online courses (such as KAPLAN Medical) will be taken on the Cleveland Clinic campus in the presence of a Cleveland Clinic faculty moderator/advisor. The faculty member will be present to respond to questions and provide guidance. Each scheduled session will include time for questions after the online session has ended.

Guidance from current international fellows: Post-MBBS fellows will have an opportunity to meet with other current international fellows who will share their experiences and answer questions about training in the U.S. This session may include international faculty as well.

Guidance on non-immigrant visa requirements: Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Manager of International Physician Services to discuss their options for returning to the U.S. for additional training.

The Team @ Cleveland Clinic

Stoller, M.D., James

Education Institute Chair

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Traboulsi, M.D., Elias I

Chairman, Department of Graduate Medical Education

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Longworth M.D., David

Chairman, Medicine Institute

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Nielsen, M.D., Craig

Vice Chairman of Education, Medicine Institute

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Pat Chapek

Administrative Director, Graduate Medical Education

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Janice Bianco

Manager, International Physician Services, Graduate Medical Education

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additional information for applicants

Before participating in the Post-MBBS Research Training Program at Cleveland Clinic, please be informed that:

• The Trainee must be familiar with universal precautions for the purpose of reducing risk of exposure to body fluids and airborne pathogens, antibody or antigen testing including TB and vaccination in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (www.osha.gov). If Hepatitis B vaccination is declined, the Trainee shall be required to sign a form indicating that they are aware of the virus.
• It is the Trainee's responsibility to complete Cleveland Clinic’s Application Form and provide any documentation and/or credentials that Cleveland Clinic requires. Dr. Nirmala Swami Charitable Trust will view the documents for the applicant and the credentials will then be reviewed by Cleveland Clinic before the applicant is eligible for the Program
• Should the Trainee choose to stop or leave the Post-MBBS Research Training Program for any reason(s), no fees associated with the Post-MBBS Research Training Program are refundable.

Once selected for the Program, please be informed that:

• Cleveland Clinic is committed to providing a drug-free work environment. Accordingly, Cleveland Clinic will not tolerate the unlawful or unauthorized use, manufacture, possession, sale or transfer of illegal or controlled substances of abuse or unauthorized use of alcohol on or around Cleveland Clinic property.
• Cleveland Clinic maintains a smoke-free environment at its facilities and smoking is prohibited on all Cleveland Clinic premises.
• Trainees must abide by the applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations of Cleveland Clinic and the department in which they may be training.
• Trainees assume the risk of exposure to patients who may carry a contagious or infectious disease. In the event a Trainee is exposed to blood from a patient who is a carrier of a contagious or infectious disease or a patient who is, in the judgment of Cleveland Clinic, at risk of being a carrier of a contagious or infectious disease, Cleveland Clinic will, with the consent of the Trainee, either refer the Trainee to an Emergency Room or administer immediate precautionary treatment consistent with current medical practice.
• Cleveland Clinic may terminate the participation of a Trainee in the Training Program at Cleveland Clinic if the Trainee's work, conduct or health may have a detrimental effect on its patients, staff or operations.

application process and selection criteria

Applications will be processed by the Center for Graduate Medical Education in coordination with the individual Department/Institute upon receipt of the following application documents:

1. Curriculum vitae or portfolio
2. A copy of medical degree and/or an equivalent MBBS^*
3. Yearly residency evaluations by the applicant’s Residency Program Director (if applicable)
4. TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of >100 or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) equivalent score (if applicable). This requirement may be waived if the applicant’s medical school curriculum was conducted in English.
5. Medical school transcripts^*
6. Three letters of recommendation^*: must include one from your department chair OR for recent graduates, a letter from the Medical School Dean
7. A one-page objective statement (12-point, font Times New Roman, single-spaced) detailing the applicant’s goals and objectives for pursuing this program
8. A financial guarantee or sponsorship letter committing to covering all associated program fees. [ Full financial ability and availability of funds for immediate release ]^*

General Terms

1. Once the applicant has been approved and a faculty member identified as a Program Medical Advisor, an Acceptance Letter will be issued by the Center for Graduate Medical Education and sent to the applicant.
2. The applicant is responsible for providing the Center for Graduate Medical Education with a Financial Guarantee from the sponsoring institution that complies with the dates and duration of the proposed appointment. This document must be submitted with the application and appointments to the program will not be processed without this document. If the document is not in English a certified translation must be provided. The amount of funding should be written in U.S. dollars.
3. The Post-MBBS Research Training Program will start on July 1 and will end on June 30; the total duration is 1 year.
4. Questions related to this program may be directed to the Center for Graduate Medical Education (meded@ccf.org). Please type “Post-MBBS Research Training Program” in the subject line.
5. Applications must be submitted no later than February 1 in order to be considered for the July 1 start date of the programs.
6. Health insurance: Program fees will include costs associated with comprehensive health care insurance provided by Cleveland Clinic.
7. Intense observation is the intent of the program (e.g., on rounds, in the operating room, during procedures, etc.). Ohio law prohibits providing actual patient care by post-MBBS fellows. Also, the post-MBBS fellow cannot prescribe medications.
8. Participating in or completing the Post-MBBS Research Training Program does not constitute acceptance into Cleveland Clinic graduate medical education programs or into any other programs.
9. Completed applications must be submitted to Cleveland Clinic through the Dr. Nirmala Swami Charitable Trust

visa requirements and financial costs

Cleveland Clinic will sponsor the post-MBBS fellows as J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar category. The J-1 documents will be issued for a one year period only. Transfers to other J-1 research programs or extensions of stay will require permission from the financial or government sponsor supporting the participant.

Applicants are required to purchase medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance individually prior to entering the United States. This is a statutory requirement of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program which is regulated by the U.S. Department of State. Affordable coverage is available and applications will be included with visa documents when sent to the applicant. Fees range from $68 for an individual to $200 for a family of 2 or more for one year of coverage.

Fees not included in the tuition: Visa application fees to be paid at the U.S. Consulate and a $180 SEVIS fee to be paid online by the participant prior to his/her visa interview at the Consulate. Visa processing fees vary by country. A list of fees by country may be found online here. or by contacting the U.S. Consulate having jurisdiction over your region. Information on how and when to pay the SEVIS fee will be included with the official visa documents sent to the applicant by Cleveland Clinic.

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