Medical internship and healthcare internship: what is it, why should you do it and are you insured?

What are your tasks and duties as a co-assistant or intern in medicine?

• As a co-assistant or intern, you will often work with the ward doctor or the head nurse.
• As the co-assistant or when the internship progresses, you will be given more and more responsibility and will increasingly work independently, under supervision.
• You will often participate in the morning and afternoon handover, the visits, the Multidisciplinary Consultation (MDO).
• You will also learn to perform a number of medical procedures.
• It goes without saying that your duties will be expanded as you progress through your co-assistantships or internship. For example, as a 6th-year co-assistant or intern, you will be able to do much more yourself.

What are your (internship) tasks or duties as a care provider?

• A care provider is someone who provides care to people, so this includes various professions.
• You help people who need extra care, for example the sick or people with a disability.
• You not only provide care to patients, but also to their families. It is important that you teach those involved how to deal with the situation or illness.
• A care provider provides personal care, social and medical care and provides information and advice.
• The care is completely focused on well-being and living. You also help with household tasks, such as tidying up, cleaning and cooking.

What are your (internship) duties as a nurse?

• As a nurse, you perform duties such as personal care, wound care and administering medication and injections.
• As a nurse, you often provide a variety of nursing care to patients.
• Nursing technical procedures include, for example, inserting an IV, a stoma, catheter or a (stomach) tube.
• You observe the patients in the department and sound the alarm in time with a colleague or a doctor in the event of a deterioration in the patient's condition.
• Depending on the specialism, specific nursing procedures are also added, such as taking a blood gas test in the Intensive Care Unit or the Emergency Department.
• You also prepare the rooms and equipment for patients and do administrative work. Both doctors and nurses spend a lot of time documenting the patient's medical data (the current status, changes in the treatment plan including medication).
• In addition to these activities, you also supervise patients; it is important that you help them in how to deal with a situation, such as an illness. As a nurse, you give instructions and advice to the patient and you are the first point of contact for the family in the department. The conversations with the family are usually conducted by the attending physician.

What do you get out of it? Why would you do an internship abroad?

• To gain experience in your own field of work, or in the sector where you may want to work later.
• To experience yourself working in a different environment.
• To be able to work in a different field of work, and see if you like it.
• To use it as a stepping stone for a local job with a salary.
• To help others with your commitment and skills.
• To support organizations or goals that you consider important in your life.

What do you bring with you? What do you need if you want to do an internship abroad?

• Flexibility: you already need some form of flexibility, the rest you will gain during your stay abroad.
• Communication skills: depending on the type of work, you will need to have a reasonable to good command of the local language.
• Independence.
• Being aware of your surroundings.
• Ability to cooperate.

To what extent are you insured for the risks?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for an internship abroad, or at least check your insured situation carefully.
• Local organisations generally do not offer any, or very limited, insurance.
• There is a chance of accidents because, for example, you are doing work with which you have little experience.
• During your internship abroad, in most countries, the coverage of your local health insurance expires. You will need special insurance to remain properly insured against illness and accidents.
• Read more: Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme
• Read more: Werkzaamheden in het buitenland in de zorg en medische sector verzekeren bij werk, stage en vrijwilligerswerk (NL)