Clerkship Travel Program: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is this program being offered?

The goal of the Clerkship Travel Program is to improve distribution of physicians across Ontario by allowing exposure to a variety of practice settings; enhancing the mix of specialties by allowing clinical clerks to explore career choices outside of their local areas; and promoting Ontario as a preferred location for postgraduate education. 

2. Which years of education apply to the program for eligibility? 

Medical students enrolled in undergraduate years two and three at the Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine at McMaster University or years three and four at all other Ontario Schools of Medicine. 

3. Are extended/advanced clerkships eligible for reimbursement through the Clerkship Travel Program?  

Yes, if unmatched in your final year of study and you participated in an extended/advanced clerkship after September 1, 2017, you have the opportunity to apply for reimbursement for one rotation per academic year. 

4. Are electives at hospitals outside of Ontario eligible? 

No. As per the guidelines, the goal of the Clerkship Travel Program is to improve distribution of physicians across Ontario by allowing exposure to a variety of practice settings, enhance the mix of specialties by allowing clinical clerks to explore career choices outside of their local area and to continue to promote Ontario as a preferred location for postgraduate education. 

For a full list of eligible Academic Health Science Centres (Group A teaching hospitals), please see Ontario Academic Health Sciences Centres.

5. Where can I do my rotation? 

You can do your rotation at an Academic Health Science Centre hospital in Ontario that is 100 km or further from your home medical school. Please see the guidelines for a complete list of organizations that qualify. Please verify that the rotation is in a group A Hospital prior to submitting expenses. 

6. How long does the clinical rotation need to be? 

To be eligible, attending a clinical rotation that is a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of twelve weeks is required. 

7. Can I claim an elective/rotation that is in more than one location in Ontario? 

Yes, this can be claimed as long as the verification letter from your home school states that it constitutes a single elective/rotation and all sites are eligible Academic Health Science Centres. 

8. Are split rotations eligible? 

Yes, split rotations will be accepted up to the maximum of $1500.00. A split rotation must be approved by your Undergraduate Medical Education office prior to your rotation and must be confirmed in the school letter to be submitted with your application/expense form. 

9. Are credit card receipts acceptable? 

No, credit card receipts are not acceptable. You will require original detailed, itemized receipts identifying the vendor with the date and amount of each expense item paid by the claimant. 

10. Can I charge an expense using a credit card which has a name on it other than mine? 

No. All expenses must be paid by the claimant and original detailed itemized receipts must be in the name of the claimant. When using a credit card, the cardholder name must match the clerk’s name. 

11. What means of transportation can I use to travel? 

Plane, train and bus, rental or personal vehicle are all permitted if it is the most practical and economic way of travel. Travelling by air, economy (coach) class is the standard option and by train, coach class economy fares are the standard. 

12. If travelling to one rotation in another province to a rotation within Ontario or vice versa, will my flight be covered? 

No. As per the guidelines, you may claim expenses from your home school to your rotation and the return trip to your home school. 

13. Why do you require my Social Insurance Number? 

The Clerkship Travel Program is required to issue a T4A for this funding and therefore requires your Social Insurance Number in order to prepare the T4A information slip. 

14. Who can I contact for more information? 

If you have any questions, please email ctp@ontariohealth.ca.