Classified as clinical experience?

[brockhamptonfanacct]

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Hi all. I was wondering if scribing/working as a tech at an optometry clinic would count as clinical experience. I would imagine not, as there are no MD/DOs at the practice, but I thought I would check and ask anyway.

Would particularly appreciate adcom feedback. Thank you in advance! @Goro @LizzyM

 

[jhmmd]

It should. When I worked in a similar capacity, I took notes on my experiences so that I had something to draw from for essays/2ndaries/interviews. Good luck!

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

It's not clinical unless you are the MD/DO.






Goro, LizzyM, and 3892 others

What?

 

[akg0119]

Goro, LizzyM, and 3892 others

what

 

[deleted1040417]

what

It is not real unfortunately.

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

Are paramedics/EMTs not involved in clinical work since there is no MD/DO around?

I would argue those are not comparable to scribing at an optometry clinic. Paramedics/EMTs assist in the initial procedures that are later completed by physicians and other healthcare workers. Paramedics and EMTs also deal with a patient population that is in the throes of needing treatment. From my experiences visiting an optometry clinic versus shadowing an ophthalmologist, the people who visit optometry clinics are generally healthy; there is a reason they are being seen by an OD, not an MD/DO (which is not to negate the importance of ODs at all! Just a delineation between the two needs of the populations).

 

[deleted1040417]

I would argue those are not comparable to scribing at an optometry clinic. Paramedics/EMTs assist in the initial procedures that are later completed by physicians and other healthcare workers. Paramedics and EMTs also deal with a patient population that is in the throes of needing treatment. From my experiences visiting an optometry clinic versus shadowing an ophthalmologist, the people who visit optometry clinics are generally healthy; there is a reason they are being seen by an OD, not an MD/DO (which is not to negate the importance of ODs at all! Just a delineation between the two needs of the populations).

I get your Pov. Like someone helping in a vet clinic is vastly different from in the ED.

EDIT: I knew a couple of upperclassmen that worked as pharmacy techs as their only clinical exposure and they got into our state MD school if that helps in any sense.

 

[C Smith]

I believe that it does count as clinical experience but it also says I want to be an optometrist.

 

[itsme87123]

I believe, anyone can correct me if I am wrong, that working as an ophthalmic tech or MA is clinical exposure. The problem is that the place you are referring to is an optometrist clinic which is not a physician as you stated. Try to find a private practice ophthalmology clinic where you can work as a tech or scribe and explain you are pre-med and that you want to observe the physician with surgeries. You could also get a killer letter from that experience. That is what I am planning on doing! Good luck.

 

[Doctor-S]

I believe, anyone can correct me if I am wrong, that working as an ophthalmic tech or MA is clinical exposure. The problem is that the place you are referring to is an optometrist clinic which is not a physician as you stated. Try to find a private practice ophthalmology clinic where you can work as a tech or scribe and explain you are pre-med and that you want to observe the physician with surgeries. You could also get a killer letter from that experience. That is what I am planning on doing! Good luck.

Agree.