The Division of General Plastic Surgery and Burn Center at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, welcomes applications from physicians, fellows and medical students in Taiwan and abroad for short-term observerships (less than three months) in burn care. Observers may observe clinical activities, including surgery, but may not scrub in or operate. Eligibility, the application process and required documents are described below.

Who Can Apply

• Physicians, including residents
• Fellows
• Medical students

Applicants from Taiwan and abroad are welcome. The process and documents below apply to international applicants; applicants from within Taiwan, please contact us about the documents and process.

Application Process

1. Email us your preferred start and end dates, an alternative date range if possible, and your current CV. You are also welcome to include your publication list.
2. Our burn care team checks availability for your dates.
3. Prepare and send the required documents listed below. The hospital's application form is in Chinese; we will complete it on your behalf once we receive your documents.
4. The hospital reviews your application. If it is approved, we can advise you on obtaining a formal invitation letter (for example, to support a funding application).

Timeline

For observerships lasting less than three months, we must receive all required documents at least three months before the proposed start date. This lead time is counted from the date we receive your complete documentation, and the hospital can begin its review only once all required documents have been received. Even if our department can accommodate your preferred dates, the placement remains subject to final approval by the hospital.

Required Documents (International Applicants)

1. Non-disclosure agreement for international clinical trainees, completed and signed (form provided on enquiry)
2. A copy of your medical degree certificate (physicians and fellows)
3. A copy of your medical registration or licence (physicians and fellows)
4. A copy of your passport photo page
5. A certificate confirming at least one year of clinical practice after obtaining your medical qualification, issued no more than six months before submission (physicians and fellows)
6. A letter of recommendation from your current institution
7. Your current CV
8. A medical examination report in English
9. Proof of travel and medical insurance covering your stay in Taiwan (claim amount of at least NT$1,000,000)
10. An identification photo (passport style)

Medical students: please contact us for the required documents; we will advise you individually.

Medical Examination (International Applicants)

• Please wait until we have checked your proposed dates before arranging the medical examination, so the results will be valid for your application.
• Chest X-ray for tuberculosis, syphilis screening (RPR or VDRL), measles IgG and rubella IgG: within three months before the proposed start date.
• Hepatitis B (HBsAg and anti-HBs) and hepatitis C (anti-HCV): within six months before the proposed start date.
• If the results do not show immunity to hepatitis B, measles or rubella, please provide the relevant vaccination record or, if vaccination is medically contraindicated, a medical certificate.

Fees

We will follow up about any applicable fees once we have reviewed your proposed dates.

Accommodation

Dormitory accommodation is available; details will be provided once your application is approved by the hospital.

Contact

Please email [email protected] with "Observership" in the subject line.

Other Subspecialties

For international visiting and fellowship programs in hand surgery and reconstructive microsurgery, please see the Linkou Chang Gung Department of Plastic Surgery website: Hand Surgery, Reconstructive Microsurgery.