TCD – Placements and Hospitals – Yun Liau

Placements and Hospitals

In TCD, we have three years of clinical experience which is more than some other universities in Ireland. This allows us to have more time to hone our clinical skills. 

In Year 3 and Year 5, we are assigned to medical or surgical rotations. This is mostly done in St James’ Hospital (SJH) or Tallaght University Hospital (TUH). Other sites include Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), Naas General Hospital, Blackrock Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Hermitage Medical Clinic. 

**Pre-covid era**

In Year 3:

• Each rotation is usually either 2 weeks or 4 weeks long 
• Mandatory rotations:
  • One medical and one surgical rotation in SJH
  • One medical and one surgical rotation in TUH
  • 2 weeks of Ophthalmology in RVEEH
  • 2 weeks of ENT in RVEEH
• There is also an option to swap one of your rotations in the early parts of the second semester to do a rotation in the Isle of Man. This is highly recommended as you are able to experience a different healthcare system, the NHS. Also, personally, I had a lot of opportunities for hands on experience. 

In Year 5: 

• You choose to start at either TUH or SJH and then swap over in the second half of the year 

In Year 4, we focus solely on Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry and General Practice with about 7 to 8 weeks of each and an examination at the end of the 8 weeks as well as a final exam in each subject at the end of the academic year. 

Paediatrics 

• Rotates between three hospitals – Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, National Children’s Hospital at TUH

Obgyn

• Rotates between Coombe Women’s Hospital, Gynaecology department in SJH and Gynaecology department in TUH

Psychiatry

• 6 weeks of general psychiatry either in St Patrick’s University Hospital, TUH or SJH
• 2 weeks of specialty psychiatry either in adolescent mental health, elderly mental health or … 

General Practice

• 2 weeks of inner GP (in Dublin) 
• 2 weeks of outer GP (at rural areas)
• Random allocation, can swap