Can I use this as experience?

[young2sj]

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Hi everyone,

I currently work at a small animal veterinary practice as a veterinary technician, and have been there for 3 years. More and more I am interested in making the transition from veterinary medicine to human medicine and would like to know if working in a veterinary clinic for 3 years will give me any sort of head start in the clinical experience/shadowing game. I've scrubbed in on many surgeries, I'm proficient in drawing blood, placing iv catheters, and am able to communicate well with clients and explain medicines, procedures, and the importance of preventative care. So is there any way I can use this experience to help me on the path to human medicine? or am i still at step one with minimal experience.

anything useful is helpful.
thanks.

 

[capn jazz]

you can use it, but i don't think animals count as patients for AMCAS' sake...

 

[young2sj]

Of course not.
But will this allow me to maybe start shadowing at a later time or even create a more interesting application when the time comes to apply?

 

[jagonzo]

I can tell you from experience that this will not count as medical exposure. In fact, when I tried to apply it as such, I was asked in multiple interviews whether I wanted to be a veterinarian or a physician, and if in fact I wanted to do the latter, then why was I investing my time in a vet's office instead of a doctor's office. They want experience with human patients. Do share this unique experience on your application, but I'm not sure that it helps much to assume it is the kind of medical exposure they are looking for. (I personally believe it should count, but alas...)

Good luck!

 

[NYRN]

Hi everyone,

I currently work at a small animal veterinary practice as a veterinary technician, and have been there for 3 years. More and more I am interested in making the transition from veterinary medicine to human medicine and would like to know if working in a veterinary clinic for 3 years will give me any sort of head start in the clinical experience/shadowing game. I've scrubbed in on many surgeries, I'm proficient in drawing blood, placing iv catheters, and am able to communicate well with clients and explain medicines, procedures, and the importance of preventative care. So is there any way I can use this experience to help me on the path to human medicine? or am i still at step one with minimal experience.

anything useful is helpful.
thanks.

I think it goes without saying that you need some human experience, but all of the things you have done there as far as patient teaching and preventitive care are very important aspects of human medicine. I like to compare vet practice to pediatrics. The teaching goes to the parent, and you are dealing with patients that cannot tell you what is wrong and many times won't cooperate. I can see how you can turn this experience into something that you can talk about in your personal statement or adcoms.

 

[13132]

No. In all of my clinical experience or shadowing I have never seen the physician examine an animal so I am guessing it is not relevant.

I do think it is an interesting volunteer/hobby activity. Just not clinical experience or shadowing.

 

[ngozi]

I'm a resident, not in an admissions committee. I think this experience is very relevant, as you are doing clinical things that you'll be doing as a doctor. The way you described it is fantastic... You can do the procedures (you've got good skills that will come in handy later), and you're a good communicator with families, which puts you ahead of the game. Just make sure you shadow a physician at least a little to show you've seen human medicine (not hard to do, just call someone). In fact, using the analogy of vet to pediatrics (maybe in your essay?) might help you.

Hi everyone,

I currently work at a small animal veterinary practice as a veterinary technician, and have been there for 3 years. More and more I am interested in making the transition from veterinary medicine to human medicine and would like to know if working in a veterinary clinic for 3 years will give me any sort of head start in the clinical experience/shadowing game. I've scrubbed in on many surgeries, I'm proficient in drawing blood, placing iv catheters, and am able to communicate well with clients and explain medicines, procedures, and the importance of preventative care. So is there any way I can use this experience to help me on the path to human medicine? or am i still at step one with minimal experience.

anything useful is helpful.
thanks.

 

[n3xa]

Well since you're getting paid I would definitely list it.