Does this also prove I know what medicine is like?

[Gladiolus23]

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[Dr. Biology]

I would consider it Direct Patent Care, or at least that's what I would claim it as. I definitely plan on using my CNA experience, it is very similar.

 

[knv2u]

It would count as clinical volunteering, but I wouldn't say that it proves that you know what medicine is like. There's more to medicine than that. Most physicians don't spend all day in hospice environments (outside of pain management it is pretty much game over and there isn't anything for the doctor to really do), and the purpose of shadowing is so you understand what you are getting into.

 

[alpinism]

It's a good community service opportunity. However, I wouldn't count reading to hospice patients as "clinical experience". It also doesn't prove you know what medicine is like since you're not working with doctors in an actual hospital or clinic.

Definitely shadow some physicians as well.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

This really sounds more like community help rather than anything clinical. Helping with the children at the home, reading to the patient, journaling, etc are much more community support services than anything clinical. You are certainly providing emotional support, but emotional support is not necessarily clinical support.

 

[LizzyM]

It is a clinical experience if you consider the services provied to a *patient* but not sufficient to give you an idea of what it is to be a physician. For that experience you really need some long days of shadowing. Do you have any idea how long the day is, how much of the day is spent with patients vs paperwork vs continuing education vs team meetings?

 

[Goro]

YES! BTW, this type of activity I find especially appealing. I hope you apply to my school!

Does direct patient care with hospice patients count as clinical volunteering/shadowing hours for medical school?

You're dealing with patients, so it's clinical experience. Non-clinical is stuff like soup kitchens or reading to children.

Or is this still considered a non-medically related community service since it may not technically be in a hospital (sometimes, it can take place in a patient's home)?

 

[Catalystik]

Does direct patient care with hospice patients count as clinical volunteering/shadowing hours for medical school? Or is this still considered a non-medically related community service since it may not technically be in a hospital (sometimes, it can take place in a patient's home)? Just so you know, the direct care volunteering involves spending time with hospice patients, reading with them, journaling, giving bereavement support, helping with children etc.

Yes, in agreement with the majority of posters, this would be considered active clinical experience. Not watching the kids so much, but even hospital volunteers stock supply cabinets and wash down beds away from the eyes of sick people to be useful.

Most med school programs will have the additional expectation of physician shadowing (considered a passive observership). So plan to do both.

 

[Gladiolus23]

Thanks for all the input! I will definitely do a lot more shadowing. I just figured this would also be a unique opportunity to see another side of patient care. I'm glad it counts as clinical experience =)