Short-Term Observers
Applicants for short-term observer positions (30 days or less) are not required to attend an orientation session.
Applicants from sister institutions should contact either the Department of Trainee and Alumni Affairs or the Department of Global Academic Programs before completing any paperwork.
Application Process for Short-Term Observers
Important: Applicants are urged to wait for notification of approval from the Department of Trainee and Alumni Affairs prior to making plans to travel to Houston.
DISCOVER is a Web-based application system to streamline the selection and appointment processes of observers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Short-term observers may use this system to apply to various areas at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Please contact your department of choice at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to determine eligibility and DISCOVER account information.
Terms of Appointment
Observer is a very limited educational title. If an applicant wishes to participate in hands-on activity, he or she should explore other educational opportunities.
- Short-term observer appointments are limited to 30 days or less in a 12-month period
- Lifetime maximum is six months
Observers may
- Attend conferences and lectures
- Observe clinics, the O.R. and rounds in accordance with appropriate medical staff policy
Observers may not
- Perform a primary medical evaluation or a history and physical
- Obtain patient consent for any procedure (clinical or research)
- Participate in decisions concerning management of a patient
- Render treatment or other patient services
- Write in the medical record
- Order tests or services
- Wear a stethoscope when observing in clinic or on rounds, or in any other way give the impression that they are practicing physicians at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Participate in research
- Provide service to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center