Step 1: Check availability

Contact the appropriate hospital department electives coordinator to confirm that the elective you chose is available for the requested duration and dates. Refer to the Contact list for electives in Ottawa for specific contact information for each specialty.

Note: This link is intended for University of Ottawa students only. The username and password are the same as the ones used to access your One45 or Elentra account. If you need assistance, please contact the electives coordinator at [email protected].

Step 2: Plan around your course schedule

Electives should take place during the time slots allocated in your schedule, i.e., “Self-study/Elective time”. Planning an elective during curricular activities whether mandatory or not may be considered a breach of professionalism. Some departments may choose not to offer morning electives on weekdays, as they know that this is curricular time.

Step 3: Choose a preceptor

Ensure that your preceptor is a practising physician, not a resident.

Step 4: Avoid conflicts of interest

Learn about the Conflict of Interest in Clinical Placements Policy.

Note that changing or cancelling an elective is highly discouraged. It is therefore essential that you choose your electives carefully. If you absolutely have to make a modification, you must notify the department coordinator and/or your supervisor in writing at least 6 weeks before the start of the elective.

Failure to adhere to this national cancellation policy will be considered a breach of professionalism and may be reported to the director of electives and the vice-dean of undergraduate medical education.

IMPORTANT: You MUST register your electives PRIOR to the start date, or they will be declined. This approval ensures your protection with malpractice and liability insurance.

Once your elective planned, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Student tools page.
2. Enter your username and password (same as One45 or Elentra).
3. Open your file by choosing “Clinical Placement”.
4. Choose “Request approval for an elective”.
5. Complete all sections of the form and then choose “Submit”.

Once your elective is approved, your clinical placement file will be automatically updated. Allow 48 to 72 hours.

Electives in the city of Ottawa:

1. Choose the name of your preceptor in the drop-down list. If their name is not listed, select the option “Preceptor does not appear in list”, and enter their full name and email address in the comment box. Their name will be added to the list, and we will contact you to get additional information if needed.
2. If no preceptor has been assigned to you when you receive confirmation, select the option “Elective confirmed by Department Coordinator”. At the end of the elective, update the information with the preceptor who supervised you.

To submit your elective evaluations:

1. Open your clinical placement account.

2. Identify the elective you have completed and click on the “COMPLETED” button to indicate that the elective is done.
3. Update the elective details, if necessary, and save changes. The status will change to “Completed-pending evaluation”.
4. Click on the “EVALUATION” button and complete the 3 mandatory steps:
   • Evaluation of preceptor by student
   • Evaluation of elective experience by student
   • Evaluation of student by preceptor—Send evaluation to preceptor
5. Once the evaluation is sent to your preceptor (status: Pending Evaluation by Preceptor), they will receive a reminder every 10 days until the evaluation is completed.
6. You will then be able to view your evaluation in your file (status: Closed).

Please note that evaluations are essential to validate your electives.

The purpose of this clinical week is to help you enhance your clinical skills and explore different specialties to guide your choice of residency. The objectives for this elective will vary depending on your main orientation.

The Mandatory Clinical Week will take place from March 25 to 29, 2024. For further details please write to [email protected].

Note that the Mandatory Clinical Week placement must be of at least 20 hours in duration.

Under a lot of stress and it’s having an impact on your well-being during an elective? Reach out to the Electives Office staff at [email protected].

Remember, you have access to confidential counselling and referral services. If you need help, do not hesitate to book an appointment with a member of the Student Affairs Office team.

• Accidents in the clinical setting and insurance
• Request for a Letter of Good Standing — online form
• Policy on Professionalism
• Risk management — Student placement resources