International Student Observership Policies & Procedures
The following information is a guide for BUSM faculty members who wish to host an international student for an observership experience. An international student observer is any foreign medical student who is present in a BMC clinical area observing patient care.
An international student observer does not assume any patient responsibilities (no patient contact; no writing in charts), and he/she does not receive credit for the experience (via BUSM’s registrar).
Requirements of Observership (to be monitored by hosting dept.)
When hosting a foreign medical student, the department and/or faculty person hosting the student is responsible for ensuring completion of the items below before the observership begins.
The student must:
1. Obtain BUMC ID badge
Student must go to ID Office to obtain an ID and bring with him/her an official letter of sponsorship provided by the hosting department. The letter should be on official stationery and indicate length of stay and sponsoring department and faculty person. See BUMC Public Safety Office website for more info on ID Office hours, etc.
2. Undertake HIPAA (patient confidentiality) training
Student must attend a class or do online test, but he/she can begin observership without the training being completed. Contact Maxine Thomas Smith, HIPAA Privacy Officer at (617) 638-7224; maxine.thomassmith@bmc.org to obtain password for online training. The BUMC ID must be obtained before the student can undertake the training.
3. Supply evidence of current negative TB test
4. Supply evidence of health insurance
Student must provide evidence of health insurance that covers him/her in the United States for – at minimum – emergency inpatient treatment . An emergency means the onset of an acute illness, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action (and which prevents the student from returning home to receive treatment).
