Why You Should Do a Medical Elective in Thailand

One of the most exciting aspects of planning a medical internship is selecting the location. Choosing to complete your medical elective in Thailand brings the promise of incredible adventure, a unique global perspective, and amazing professional experience. 

Today, we’ll explore the benefits of choosing Thailand to complete your medical internship, along with example electives and things to do in your downtime. 

Medical Education and Healthcare in Thailand

Thailand’s healthcare environment is one of the most robust in Asia, and it has an incredibly respected medical education system. There are both comprehensive public health services and internationally accredited private hospitals to explore, equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and high standards of care. 

Thailand also features several teaching hospitals, which are ideal for medical electives. They handle high patient volumes and complex cases, allowing you to see enriching cases and develop a deeper understanding of global healthcare. 

Choosing Thailand for your place of medical elective allows you to integrate clinical service, research and training. You’ll have the opportunity to see a diverse range of diseases and illnesses within care settings, unlike those you encounter at home. 

Reasons to Choose Thailand for Your Medical Elective

There are plenty of amazing reasons to choose a medical internship in Thailand, including opportunities for both professional and personal growth. 

High-Quality Clinical Exposure

One of the main draws for medical internships in Thailand is the premium clinical exposure you can expect. Whether you choose to spend a brief week in Thailand or extend your elective to multiple months, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter diverse patient cases and disease profiles. 

Depending on your current skill and education level, you’ll be able to observe and assist, improving your skills and learning more than you’d be able to from a textbook. High-volume hospitals and specialist centres provide unique opportunities. 

Choosing Thailand is ideal for students from both high and low-income healthcare systems. We guarantee your medical exposure will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before! 

Wide Range of Specialities Available

When completing a medical internship in Thailand, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate around several specialities rather than just learning a basic understanding of surface clinical practices. 

When participating in our immersive Medical and Cultural Experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand, you’ll have the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to departments such as: 

• General Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• Thai Traditional Medicine

Likewise, during our more comprehensive Medical Elective in Thailand, you’ll shadow and observe in a range of different hospital departments, such as:

• Biochemistry
• Microchemistry
• Community Medicine
• Internal Medicine 
• Orthopedics
• Pharmacology 
• Emergency Room 
• Pediatrics
• General Medicine 
• Internal Medicine 
• Orthopedics
• Specialized Ward
• OB/GYN 
• Surgery Ward
• Anatomy 
• Dental
• Rehabilitation
• Radiotherapy
• Surgery
• Operating Room
• Physical Therapy
• ENT Department
• Eye Department

You may be able to dedicate more time to a particular speciality that you’re passionate about, but getting to experience more than one department helps you find the subject you’re most interested in. This might not be what you had in mind when you first arrived in Thailand! 

Affordability Compared to Western Destinations

Another reason why Thailand is so popular among medical students is its low cost of living. This means that elective fees are often cheaper, along with other expenses such as food, accommodation, and transportation. Even if your elective organization covers these costs, you can still enjoy cheaper mementoes and activities during your downtime. 

Many medical interns agree that Thailand’s packages are much better value for money than similar electives in the UK, US and Australia. This is because they can expect high-quality clinical exposure, unparalleled experiences, and a relatively low cost of living. 

International-Friendly Environment

Thailand is a very welcoming, friendly country with tight-knit communities that welcome international students with open arms. You’ll get the opportunity to work in multicultural environments and healthcare teams, supporting fellow interns as you learn and grow together. 

The hospitals you’ll work at might not speak English well, but Med Trips will help to further your language skills to help with communication. There will also be several further resources to help you communicate with your superiors, professional peers and fellow volunteers. 

Cultural Experience and Personal Growth

Immerse yourself in Thai culture and traditions through a reputable medical elective. There’s only so much you can learn from vacationing in Thailand. Becoming an intern helps you to get into the nitty-gritty of the country, finding secluded spots away from the classic tourist attractions. 

You’ll get to learn and develop your patient care skills, learning to be culturally sensitive, which you can continue throughout your career, long after you return home. 

When working with Med Trips, you’ll be able to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, allowing you to see the wondrous sights of Thailand while furthering your professional development and skills. This improves your global perspective and helps you see another side of human nature and healthcare. 

Safe and Well-Connected

Thailand has an excellent safety record for medical students. Not only can you expect to work at high-quality hospitals and community clinics, but also expect safe and secure accommodation when working with Med Trips. 

Our students’ safety is our main priority, so when working with Med Trips provides safety in a number of ways. These include: 

• 24/7 in-country support: Our team members are on hand in Thailand to help you whenever you need us, day or night, to keep you feeling safe, confident and protected.
• Vetted amenities: We ensure our accommodation options and transportation resources are all vetted, so you can trust that you’re in safe hands at all times. 
• Insurance and visa support: Before arriving for your flight, we’ll make sure you have all the necessary travel documents for your time in Thailand. 
• Included orientation: Before getting started with your internship, we’ll help you get acclimated to the country through orientation, a tour, language training and more. 

Things to Do During Your Downtime in Thailand

Aside from its amazing medical elective opportunities, Thailand is a vibrant country with many incredible experiences. Whether you want to stay close to Chiang Mai and experience ethical elephant encounters at Elephant Nature Park, or travel further away to the stunning islands of Phi Phi and Phuket, it won’t be difficult to find things to fill your weekends and evenings with. 

When working with Med Trips, our electives are based in Chiang Mai, where there are plenty of fun, cultural experiences to enjoy. These include: 

• Chiang Rai: Serene temples, mountain landscapes, and iconic landmarks like the White Temple can be found in northern Thailand.
• Doi Inthanon National Park: Visit Thailand’s highest peak, known for its waterfalls and cloud forests, to hike through.
• Huay Teung Tao: Relax by a peaceful reservoir near Chiang Mai, popular for lakeside dining and surrounded by mountains.
• Bua Tong Waterfalls: Experience the ‘Sticky Waterfalls,’ where limestone allows you to climb the rocks safely.

Ready to Plan Your Medical Elective in Thailand? 

Thailand boasts plenty of wonderful reasons to complete your medical elective here, from a friendly, welcoming atmosphere to rich cultural experiences. Medical internships in Thailand promise plenty of excitement along with personal and professional growth.

Ready to get the ball rolling on your most enriching adventure yet? Check out our medical electives in Thailand and click ‘Apply Now’ to start.