The program is primarily open to:

• Medical students in their 2nd or 3rd year (status at start of observation)
• Medical residents in their 3rd or 4th year (status at start of observation)
• Medical doctors and similar medical professionals
   

Other types of observers may be allowed to observe, but only in clinics — not in operating rooms. Some faculty can be observed only in the OR (not the clinic), and others only in the clinic (not the OR).

No one under 18 may observe. All observers must be hosted by a specific faculty member.

• One observation period per 12-month period
• Maximum 30 consecutive calendar days per year, per person
• No observation on weekends or holidays

• Stanford cannot provide visas. Visiting observers typically enter on a visitor visa or business visa

• Approval from the Compliance Office and Workforce Health and Wellness cannot be guaranteed before your requested start date
• Observation cannot begin until both approvals are received
• If booking airfare or lodging, choose refundable options — or wait until you have full approval
• If your travel dates are inflexible, keep this risk in mind

• $1,500 for practicing physicians and other medical professionals, for observing in clinics and/or operating rooms
• No fee for medical students, medical residents, undergraduate students, other trainees, and former Stanford OHNS residents, clinical instructors, and fellows

• Most adult surgeries: 875 Blake Wilbur Drive, Palo Alto (next to 801 Welch, the department office)
• Pediatric surgeries: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, 725 Welch Road
• Confirm your observation location with your host faculty before booking housing

• No. Housing costs in the area are high. We suggest:
• Airbnb or VRBO for short-term rentals
• Nearby hotels (typically expensive)
• Local Lodging: Stanford University for more options

• Please visit our faculty webpage for information about our faculty and their areas of specialization
• On the Observer Request Form the prospective observer will select a division or divisions and then she/he/they will select the faculty member(s) they would like to observe

• You must complete this form
• Please do not contact faculty or their administrative associates directly
• An administrative associate will reach out after your inquiry is reviewed, confirm faculty availability, and guide you through the approval process, including required forms and records
   

Note: Submitting this form is only a request. You'll be notified whether your requested faculty member is available to host you.

Required Medical Records

Important

Falsification or alteration of any health-related documents or information will disqualify the applicant from being an observer in the Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.

If required information isn't submitted at least 4 weeks before your intended start date, the clearance process cannot proceed, and you'll need to submit a new request with a later start date.

• Varicella: Positive titer -or- evidence of two (2) Varicella vaccines
• Measles: Positive titer -or- evidence of two (2) MMR vaccines
• Mumps: Positive titer -or- evidence of two (2) MMR vaccines
• Rubella: Positive titer -or- evidence of one (1) MMR vaccine
• Influenza: (Only if visit occurs Nov 15 – March 31) Evidence of Flu vaccine OR request Flu Declination
• Tuberculosis: within one (1) year of visit date, either one (1) QuantiFERON test (QFT) -or- two (2) Tuberculin Skin tests (TST). If you have a history of positive QFT or TST, then you must also submit either Chest X-ray or evidence of completed TB medication

•  ~2 weeks from inquiry submission to confirm faculty availability and dates (note: many faculty can't commit more than 6 months in advance, as schedules are uncertain that far out)
• At least 4 weeks from submitting all required documents to final approval
• Hospital approval cannot be granted more than 60 days before the visit

•  

  Please do not book any travel logistics to Stanford OHNS until you receive “FINAL Approval Notification”