It can range from actual hands on patient treatment to being part of clinical trials of all flavors. Volunteering in a clinical (ie. going into the exam room, OR, treatment room whatever the case may be) could technically be considered a type of clinical experience. Sitting at a desk answering phones at a Doc's office doesn't. For example, I had my own case load this past summer at UNC Chapel Hill Rehab as a student physical therapist (for grad school). Thats full-on clinical experience. 😀