Final-year clerkship(sometimes referred to as internship, don't confuse with actual internship- see intro page for definition).

Clerkship is a PRE GRADUATION experience

Clerkship is the culmination of medical school, where students transition from the classroom to real-world clinical practice. After completing their studies abroad, students return to Jamaica for a 12-month intensive training program, rotating through four core specialties—Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. This hands-on experience allows them to refine their clinical skills, apply medical knowledge in patient care, and work alongside experienced physicians in a hospital setting.

Pick a Hospital for Clerkship

How do I prepare for Clerkship?

See preparation here

Study resources here

Pro’s of Final Year Clerkship in Jamaica

  1. Easier Transition into the Jamaican Medical System – Gain firsthand experience with local healthcare protocols, paperwork, and hospital operations.
  2. Familiarity with Common Diseases in Jamaica – Greater exposure to diseases like dengue fever, sickle cell complications, and tropical infections, which are prevalent locally.
  3. Networking with Local Doctors and Consultants – Build relationships with doctors who may later supervise you during internship or recommend you for jobs.
  4. Stronger Internship Placement Prospects – Hospitals may prefer interns who are already familiar with their system and staff.
  5. Efficiency during Observership – If you do your final-year clerkship in Jamaica, it will allow a more fulfilling experience during observership.
  6. Easier Integration into Local Hospital Culture – Understanding how the hospital hierarchy, patient management, and available resources work before internship.
  7. Lower Cost of Living – If you stay with family in Jamaica, you might save money on living expenses compared to doing your clerkship abroad. Also some schools don't require a tuition if your final year is done outside of your school’s country.

Pro’s of Final Year Clerkship in your school’s country

  1. Broader Clinical Exposure – Experience diverse cases and medical conditions that may not be as common in Jamaica.
  2. Access to Advanced Technology – Opportunity to work with cutting-edge medical equipment and treatment approaches.
  3. International Experience – Exposure to different healthcare systems and protocols, which can be beneficial for working abroad in the future.
  4. Networking Opportunities – Build connections with international faculty and doctors that may help with research.
  5. Stronger Application for residency in your school’s country – If you complete your final-year clerkship in your schools country, you may have a better chance of securing a residency or postgraduate training position there.
  6. Potential for Research Opportunities – Some foreign medical schools have more active research programs, which can be beneficial for specialization later.
  7. More Structured Teaching – Some international medical schools provide better-structured clerkships with dedicated teaching sessions.
  8. More Downtime for studying – Some international medical schools have a lighter schedule which can facilitate more time to study for competitive licensing exams.

Please see the FAQ section for more information on clerkship