Clinical Observation Internships

CHU de Rennes & Clinique de l’Anjou | April 2026

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Overview

In April 2026, I completed two clinical observation internships to gain direct exposure to healthcare environments, clinical practices, and patient care. Having completed a Master’s in Bioinformatics, these experiences were crucial in confirming my passion for clinical medicine and my desire to pursue medical studies through the “Passerelle” entry process. They allowed me to see how biological data and bioinformatics directly translate into clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

1. Medical Genetics Internship (2 Weeks)

Context & Environment

  • Institution: Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire et somatique, CHU de Rennes
  • Supervisor: Dr. Hakim Bouazzaoui (Medical Geneticist)
  • Duration: 2 weeks (April 2026)

Key Observations & Activities

During this immersion, I followed the complete workflow of medical genetics, spanning both clinical consultations and laboratory diagnostics:

  • Clinical Consultations: Observed patient consultations led by geneticists, learning how genetic histories (pedigrees) are constructed, how genetic counseling is conducted for rare diseases, and how diagnostic results or risks are communicated to patients and families.
  • Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (RCP): Attended clinical case discussions where specialists (geneticists, pediatricians, oncologists, pathologists, and bioinformaticians) collaboratively reviewed complex cases to establish diagnoses or treatment strategies.
  • Bioinformatics in Medical Genomics: Visited the computational genetics unit to observe the processing and clinical interpretation of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data (exome and genome sequencing). This provided a direct bridge to my master’s training, demonstrating how raw genomic data is filtered for pathogenic variants to guide patient care.

Core Insights

This internship highlighted the power of precision medicine and genomic medicine. It showed me how critical bioinformatics is for modern diagnostics, but more importantly, how that data is translated by clinicians into empathetic, clear, and actionable advice for patients facing life-altering diagnoses.

2. Surgical Oncology Internship (2 Days)

Context & Environment

  • Institution: Clinique de l’Anjou, Angers
  • Supervisor: Dr. Nicolas Paillocher (General Surgeon specializing in Oncological Senology and Gynecology)
  • Duration: 2 days (April 2026)

Key Observations & Activities

This brief but high-intensity internship offered a look into surgical oncology and direct patient interaction:

  • Operating Theater Observation: Stood in the operating room to observe breast cancer surgeries (mastectomies, lumpectomies, and sentinel lymph node biopsies). I observed surgical techniques, the sterile field protocol, and the highly coordinated teamwork between surgeons, anesthetists, and scrub nurses.
  • Pre- and Post-operative Consultations: Attended consultations where Dr. Paillocher discussed surgical options, explained risks, answered patient questions, and conducted post-operative check-ups, showing the clinical relationship built on trust and clear communication.

Core Insights

This experience showed me the immediate, manual impact of medicine. Surgery requires not only technical precision but also a deep understanding of patient psychology. The surgeon must balance technical intervention with human support, helping patients navigate the vulnerability of a cancer diagnosis.

Reflections & Impact on My Career Path

These clinical experiences were transformative. They solidified my determination to become a physician by showing me the unique privilege of patient care:

  • Confirming My Vocation: The direct contact with patients in both consultations and the operating room confirmed that I want to be on the front lines of patient care, combining clinical practice with scientific rigor.
  • Bridging Two Worlds: As a bioinformatician, I saw how computational analyses directly impact live clinical cases. My background will be a major asset in a medical career, enabling me to act as a bridge between high-throughput scientific research and clinical applications.
  • Commitment to Medicine: These internships gave me a concrete, realistic view of hospital and clinic life, reinforcing my motivation to succeed in the “Passerelle” bridge program to enter medical school.
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