Rural Observation Experience (ROE)

The Rural Observation Experience (ROE) is a 2-3 day shadowing experience with a rural family physician.  Students see first-hand the rewards and challenges of rural medicine. 

Any incoming first-year medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cities campus, may apply. There are no prerequisites and all students who apply will be placed (depending on ROE site availability).

2019 Dates:

• Students have completed their ROE experiences for 2019
• Debrief: early September 2019 (exact date TBD)

2020 Dates:

• Online application will be open: May 2020-June 2020 (exact dates TBD)
• Student Application due: June 2020 (exact date TBD)
• Student notification of placement: Will match on a rolling basis, all will be notified by July 2020 (exact date TBD)
• Orientation (In-person): July 2020 from noon-1:00 pm. Will be held in the Mayo Memorial Building on the Twin Cities Campus (exact date TBD)
  
• ROE Program Timeframe: 2-3 days, to be completed during July 2020-August 2020 (exact dates TBD)
• Debrief: early September 2020 (exact date TBD)

Students in the ROE are matched up with a physician at a clinic in rural MN. The student will shadow the physician at the clinic, on rounds, or at the hospital and nursing homes. The student and the physician will negotiate the length of the ROE experience; a 2-3 day experience is typical. Students are provided room at the physician’s home or in the hospital and become involved with the social life of the community. Participants will only need to provide their own transportation and meals.

*ROE participants MUST attend the in-person Orientation (exact date TBD).