Medical Electives in India

Our medical electives are designed and managed by doctors for trainee doctors from around the world. We have strong partnerships with hospitals throughout India and each placement is created to ensure that your elective gives you the experience required whilst giving you the right level of exposure for your level of training.

Here are some of the options available with Real Gap. 

Accident and Emergency- Bangalore

This exciting medical elective is based in the accident and emergency department of a busy Bangalore hospital. It allows you the opportunity to see a wide range of clinical presentations, including adults and paediatric patients. During your time you will learn about the management of sick patients and deciding which conditions can be treated at home and which require admission.

Cardiology- Bangalore

Our cardiology placements in Bangalore give you exposure to all aspects relating to cardiology, including paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. The placements provide you with hand-on experience seeing inpatient and outpatient cardiology, as well as cardiac emergencies. There is the possibility to combine your placement with exposure to cardiac surgery or any other medical speciality of interest to you.

Cardiology- Goa

This is a truly amazing elective in cardiology at this leading hospital in Goa. It includes exposure to adult and paediatric cardiology, with interventional cardiac services including angiography and ablation in the state of the art cardiac catheterisation laboratory. The service is supported by onsite cardiac surgery, including paediatric cardiac surgery, which students will be given the opportunity to explore. This placement provides the complete cardiac experience, laying fantastic foundations to build upon and providing an all round rewarding experience.

Cardiology- Mumbai

This medical elective provides a complete insight into cardiology, from paediatric to adult patients. Our hospitals have state of the art catheterisation laboratories, and dedicated cardiac surgery theatres with a team of cardiothoracic surgeons. You will have the opportunity to spend time in adult and paediatric cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, the hospitals have many other medical and surgical specialities, and it will be possible to spend time in other areas of interest to you.

Cardiac Surgery- Mumbai

This is a fantastic medical elective at one of the world's leading cardiac units. Students will get to experience state of the art technology including new technology not yet available in the UK. The hospital, India's highest accredited hospital, has treated over 1,000,000 patients in the last 8 years including over 20,000 cardiac angiographs with one of the lowest global mortality rates. The hospital focuses on cardiology, emergency cardiology with a new cath lab, paediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery including robotic assisted cardiac surgery and cardiac rehabilitation. During your elective you will primarily be based in the cardiac surgery department, which includes exposure to robotic assisted cardiac surgery but will have the opportunity to spend sessions observing cardiology clinics. 

Gastroenterology- Mumbai

This medical elective combines experience in gastroenterology with general medicine at this busy 750 bed hospital. The gastroenterology department has 3 endoscopy suites and a hepatology unit and provides services including OGD, colonoscopy, push enteroscopy, ERCP, endosonography and PEG insertions. You will form part of the gastroenterology team but will also have the opportunity to study general medicine and attend other outpatient and inpatient activities at the hospital.

General Medicine- Bangalore

We have placements at several hospitals in Bangalore, allowing you to gain exposure to both inpatient and outpatient medicine, covering cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, neurology, endocrinology, diabetes and infectious diseases. Students will gain invaluable exposure to all aspects of internal medicine during this placement and encounter signs and conditions you are unlikely to come across in the UK.

General Medicine- Mumbai

This is a medical elective in general medicine at this busy 750 bed Mumbai hospital. The hospital has specialities including cardiology, oncology, paediatrics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, diabetes, dermatology, interventional radiology, pain medicine, palliative medicine and ophthalmology. The state of the art facilities and opportunity to experience such a large range of specialities and well as partaking in the busy medical 'take' provides an excellent opportunity to learn about a wide range of medical conditions, including many not commonly encountered in the UK.

General Medicine- Goa

This medical elective offers the opportunity to study and experience medicine at this super speciality hospital in Goa, providing state of the art treatment. The hospital contains 180 beds, dialysis centre and cardiac catheterisation lab, as well as being serviced by a dedicated cardiac ambulance. The general medical elective includes exposure to nephrology, cardiology and rheumatology through a mixture of inpatient and outpatient work. Students will gain exposure to conditions not commonly encountered in the UK as well as witness pioneering state of the art techniques.

General Madicine- Red Cross retreat in Panchgani

The Red Cross Retreat experience is unlike any medical elective you could imagine. The hospital is spread out over a 44 acre site, consisting of a multitude of buildings, trees and gardens and initially appears more like a village than a hospital. It is however a large hospital, with 250 beds, a 24 hour accident and emergency department, intensive care unit and acts as a regional referral centre for HIV and TB. You will live onsite in the 'hospital village' with the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

General Surgery- Red Cross retreat

The Red Cross Retreat experience is unlike any medical elective you could imagine. The hospital is spread out over a 44 acre site, consisting of a multitude of buildings, trees and gardens and initially appears more like a village than a hospital. It is however a large hospital, with 250 beds, a 24 hour accident and emergency department, intensive care unit and acts as a regional referral centre for HIV and TB. You will live onsite in the 'hospital village' with the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Infectious diseases

The Red Cross Retreat experience is unlike any medical elective you could imagine. The hospital is spread out over a 44 acre site, consisting of a multitude of buildings, trees and gardens and initially appears more like a village than a hospital. It is however a large hospital, with 250 beds, a 24 hour accident and emergency department, intensive care unit and acts as a regional referral centre for HIV and TB. You will live onsite in the 'hospital village' with the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

You will gain exposure to all aspect of general medicine, with a particular focus on infectious diseases and respiratory medicine. The placement includes inpatient and outpatient work and the possibility to spend time in the accident and emergency department as well as intensive care. The package provides a fantastic hands on experience of rural Indian healthcare and exposure to those patients most in need.

Intensive care- Bangalore

The placement is ideal for students wishing to gain exposure in intensive care medicine and the management of critically unwell patients. The 15 bed intensive care unit contains state of the art equipment for monitoring and treating patients, as well as a smaller 4 bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The large unit will allow students to experience both unwell medical and surgical patients, as well as post operative management of planned elective surgical cases following major surgery.

Intensive care- Goa

If you are interested in intensive care, then this is the perfect elective for you. Set in this super speciality hospital in Goa, you will be placed in the intensive care department containing 43 beds receiving both planned elective as well as emergency admissions. The intensive care unit provides support to the medical and surgical specialities, allowing students experience in managing sick surgical, neurosurgical, trauma and medical patients. It is possible to combine the intensive care placement with other medical and surgical placements in the hospital.

Neurology- Goa

This medical elective is perfect for this interested in neuroscience, combining neurology and neurosurgery at one of India's leading hospitals. The neurology services include general neurology and specialist clinics in neuromuscular disorders, demyelination, stroke, dementia and headaches. The services are supported by a state of the art neuro intensive care facility and CT/MRI imaging facilities. The neurosurgical theatres have semi-robotic microscopes and computerised navigation systems to aid in their provision of: microsurgery, endoscopic brain surgery, skull base surgery, neuro-endovascular surgery and craniofacial surgery in addition to general neurosurgery.

Neurology- Mumbai

This is a unique medical elective in neurology at this large Mumbai hospital, allowing students to gain experience in a wide range of common and rare neurological disorders, many not commonly seen in the UK. In addition to general neurology, the unit focuses on stroke, epilepsy and movement disorders, having specialist Wilsons and Parkinsons disease clinics. As well as observing neurology and neurophysiology, students also have the opportunity to shadow neurosurgery to gain a complete experience in neurological disorders.

Obstetrics & Gynae- Mumbai

This elective combines obstetrics and gynaecology at a leading state of the art 750 bed hospital in Mumbai. The advanced foetal care centre provides leading services in foetal medicine whilst the gynaecology department specialises in gynaecological oncology and minimally invasive surgery. Students also have the opportunity to attend specialist fertility clinics in the reproductive endocrinology department. The breadth of experience offered at this placement allows students to gain invaluable experience in both gynaecology and obstetrics as well as associated endocrinology.

Paediatrics- Bangalore

This medical elective provides students with a fantastic opportunity to explore paediatrics and neonatology, encountering many conditions unlikely to be seen in the UK. The hospital provides a 24 hour paediatric service, including emergency as well as outpatient work. There is a four bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in addition to a special care baby unit through which students can gain exposure. In addition to medical work, there is also a paediatric surgery service onsite, allowing complete exposure to all aspects of paediatrics. 

Vascular Surgery- Mumbai

This surgical elective is based at a busy Mumbai hospital in the vascular surgery department. The department carries out operations including aneurysm repair, AV fistula repair, DVT surgery, open and endovascular arterial surgery and carotid surgery. Students will form part of the vascular team, shadowing inpatient, outpatient and theatre work. This elective provides exceptional experience for students keen on pursuing a surgical career.

Bangalore

Bustling Bangalore is a symbol of the new India. East meets West and nature nestles around man-made glitz in this temperate gem of a city.

It is simultaneously known as ‘The Silicon Valley’, ‘Garden Paradise’ and ‘Pub Capital’ of India. So which one is correct? Well, all of them.

Home to international companies like Microsoft and Google, Bangalore carries all the benefits associated with being a home of the blue-chip elite. Sleek shopping centres, like the swish UB City, and world-class (but affordable) cuisine are staples of the city.

Cool bars abound, where locals, young professionals and international business people alike unwind with a cold glass of Kingfisher at the end of the day.

And yet the number of beautiful parks and gardens is amazing. They offer the perfect escape route inside and outside the city. Move a little further beyond the outskirts and you will also find the spectacular Shivasamudram Falls.

Healthcare in Bangalore, as throughout India, is a boom industry. First-class hospitals are dotted all over the city, while NGOs offer an earthier, aid-inspired option in the rural surrounds.

Goa
White sand, turquoise water and palm trees swaying in the light sea breeze. It sounds like a clichéd description of paradise. But we can’t think of a more accurate way to describe Goa.

The smallest of India’s seven states, it is the jewel in the country’s geographical crown. Tinged with relaxed, Portuguese influence, it is one of the world’s premier beach locations.

It is also the country’s richest locale, and as such boasts excellent hospitals. We were determined to secure placements in these institutions to offer our students a perfect placement in paradise. We hope you enjoy it.

If that wasn’t enough, Goa is also home to two world heritage sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and churches and convents of Old Goa.

Mumbai
Do you enjoy the quiet life? A bit of peace and solitude? Then allow us to be candid: Mumbai, formerly Bombay and the setting of Slumdog Millionaire, is not the city for you. If, however, you are an urban creature who thrives on the hustle-and-bustle of the city, then you can’t miss it. For sheer energy, movement and frenetic human activity, Mumbai is unmatched. It is a people-watchers paradise – there are over 20 million of them, after all.

Here, more than anywhere else, the diversity that is imprinted in India’s DNA comes to the fore. The famous Gateway of India and old-fashioned bazaars resolutely represent the past, while Bollywood stars eating in exotic restaurants and partying the night away in ultra-modern bars make their case for the present.
Mumbai’s infinite variety extends to the economic circumstances of its inhabitants. The wealth gap is something that needs to be addressed if India is to become the nation it aspires to be.

Presently, it is reflected in a healthcare system that encompasses everything from high-tech super hospitals, to on-the-ground aid delivered in the heart of the slums. For an aspiring doctor, the chance to straddle both sides of the fence is invaluable.

So what is our advice on Mumbai? Take a deep breath, jump on a rickshaw and embrace the madness.

Panchgani
Jump in a Cool (air conditioned) Cab in the heart of mad Mumbai and a few hours later you could be breathing the famously fresh air of Panchgani, watching one of the best sunsets on Earth.

Literally meaning ‘Five Hills’, Panchgani’s spectacular views and pleasant weather made it a favourite summer retreat for the British Raj in the 19th century. And it retains many of the elements that made it such a desirable destination.

It is also home to the Red Cross Hospital that hosts out International Taster Weeks and a handful of Electives. Treating all illnesses, with a focus on Tuberculosis and AIDS, the ‘sanatorium’ resembles an idyllic resort as much as a medical institution.

Whether you want to recover from the chaos of Mumbai, find peace in the beautiful hillside setting, or understand the true value of the Red Cross, don’t be surprised if you fall in love with this charming - and remarkable - place.  

Step 1: Application
To apply for this elective programme we ask you to either call us or apply online using the link below. When you apply we will request information on your emergency contact details, passport number and your health background and other important information. At this stage a deposit payment of £199 is requested, this deposit is non-refundable, unless your application is declined.

Once your application has been recieved we will request the following details from you.

• A current CV /resume detailing your work and study history
• One medical reference 

Please note: If your internship is part of your university course, and requires accreditation we also request a letter from your tutor supporting your application for an internship.

Step 2: Acceptance of your placement
Once our team have reviewed your application, and accepted you onto the programme for your preferred dates we will contact you to confirm your application has been successful. We recommend you purchase insurance as soon as you secure your placement.

Step 3: Online account details
Once your placement has been secured, we will set up and send you details of your online account login which will take you to your personal Real Gap secure website. Here you can view details of your internship, along with info specific to your time in India. This includes; what to expect during your time in India, what to take with you, country and visa information and details such as insurance and where to get necessary vaccinations. Once you have your login details you can go ahead and book flights, to do this please contact your travel advisor who will give you a quote.

In the run up to your placement, our expert team will be here to answer any questions you may have and to fully prepare you for your time in India.

As with any adventure in life,we believe that your Elective will not be dictated simply by what you do, but by the people you share it with. As well as offering special deals for those of you who want to travel with friends from home, we arrange a number of opportunities for you to meet new people throughout your placement:

On arrival in India, you will attend an orientation event, where you will receive an introduction to the local area and culture, along with the chance to meet other students starting their experience in the same place.
At this orientation, you will be given a free Indian sim card so you can swap numbers and keep in touch with the people you meet.

We do our best to make sure that you travel and stay with, or near, other people on our programmes, so you immediately have a social network with whom you can explore and enjoy your new surroundings.
We organise group meals and nights out throughout the course of the programme, attended by students at the start, middle and end of their placements.

We have tapped into our local networks to organise great discounts at some of the top bars and restaurants in all our locations, giving you the perfect platform to hit the best spots in town with your new friends
We host UK-based alumni events that give you a chance to catch up with familiar faces from past programmes.

On your first day we will meet you at your accommodation and take you to our offices for a detailed introduction session. During this meeting you will get to know our staff, and others on the internship programme, who will run through the following with you to ensure you get off to the best possible start;

• A session welcoming you to India
• An introduction to local customs and etiquette
• An overview of important words and expressions
• A list of key contacts and important numbers
• Maps and advice on things to see and do

An important part of the programme is the social activities so that you get to know others on the programme. Before you leave for India you will have the opportunity to join our dedicated Facebook group for students undertaking placements at similar times. We also often arrange a meet and greet drinks evening prior to you travelling. Through our local contacts and partners in India, we are able to provide a range of social and cultural and extras. These might include:

• Group meals and nights out throughout your placement
• Group cultural excursions
• Team building and networking activities
• Discounts at bars and restaurants
• Use of gyms and exclusive clubs
• Yoga classes
• Indian cooking classes

In addition, we are able to help you find other experiences you might enjoy, and book them at the best rates.

These might include:
• Safaris
• Tickets to sporting events
• Visits to some of the top tourist destinations in Mumbai or Bangalore

After your programme you will have the continued contact, support and social events in India should you decide to stay on.