Optional Clinical Learning Opportunities (OCLOs)

An Optional Clinical Learning Opportunity (OCLO), previously called an "Observership," allows medical students to observe patient care under faculty supervision at an affiliated learning site. An OCLO is supplemental to  Program curriculum and will  NOT replace the requirements for mandatory session attendance as outlined in the Program Attendance Statement. 

• Clarity: the supervising faculty or Most Responsible Physician (MRP) must clearly communicate your role and learner status to patients, families and the healthcare team at the start of each OCLO.

Purpose of OCLOs

OCLCs allow you to:

• Deepen your understanding of curriculum content through real-world clinical exposure.
• Develop clinical care competencies in a hands-on environment.
• Explore career interests across different medical disciplines.

While you will gain early exposure to patient care through OCLOs, they do not replace mandatory sessions outlined in the Program Attendance Statement.

• All OCLOs must be registered through the Program. This is mandatory for learner safety, providing student insurance coverage; and tracking of faculty teaching hours.
• OCLOs are registered in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry HUB online platform and require approval by the Program Office prior to taking place.
• A minimum of ten (10) working days is required to process the registration. This is a firm deadline - OCLOs received after the 10 day requirement will not be approved.

To meet the regulatory requirements of the health care facilities and the province, all learners must complete annually prior to entering clinical care learning, all required modules and disease prevention requirements for quality and safe patient care:

• London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) /St. Josephs’ Health Centre London/Windsor Regional Hospital / Hotel Dieu Windsor online modules as provided by the hospital.
• DE site: as requested by the host hospital or health care affiliates
• All mandatory vaccines and serology
• N95 mask fit tests (if required)
• Module on gowning, masking and gloving from LHSC
• Review Public Health Ontario IPAC guidelines for PPE in patient care during the COVID 19 pandemic prior to starting any OCLO.

Radiation Monitoring Badges (Dosimeter) may be required by departments. If required, students must complete the Radiation Form a minimum of 10 days prior to the start date of the OCLO. If not submitted, students may not be permitted to participate in the scheduled OCLO.

Complete Radiation Form

Our Schulich M.D. students have already met all online training and health requirements.

They are not required to complete any of the Medical Affairs Observership Appendices.
 However, it is important that preceptors are made aware of this policy.

Observerships arranged via student Mentorship Programs cannot be registered in Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Hub, and are not approved OCLO through the Undergraduate Medical Education Office.

OCLOs require that learners be up to date on their immunization documentation including influenza and COVID vaccination. To aid in this, please ensure that you have uploaded your documentation to synergy so we can readily pull a report to provide proof that our learners are in compliance.