Experiences with doctors outside the U.S.

[YeEhAw]

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I worked overseas for a little while (i.e. a couple years) and my job, at the time, entailed me interacting with doctors on a regular basis (i.e. weekly) and in a more personal capacity than a job like, for example, a sales rep. I got to know some of them quite well and had a chance to talk with them about their jobs in quite some detail over an extended period of time. As a result of these interactions and some other things, I ultimately decided to return to the States to resume working towards medical school, et al.

Although I plan on doing some more volunteer work here, in the States, I was curious if my experience with the doctors overseas is going to diminished at all, in the application process, because it wasn't with doctors in the U.S.

 

[Catalystik]

Interaction with international physicians shouldn't stand alone. To develop a more appealing application, you'll want to observe US docs at work in the presence of patients, as well as discuss the state of US health policy and medical practice with them. Your overseas experience isn't worthless, but it's not as relevant. It should however allow you to give an informed answer when you're (almost inevitably) asked to compare and contrast healthcare systems.

 

[YeEhAw]

By "... shouldn't standalone.", I am assuming you mean I should have additional exposure to the healthcare system in the U.S., is that correct?

I already have a couple summers worth of volunteer hours at a hospital in the U.S., but the hours are from quite some time ago hence my plan to do some more volunteering and well, I need to do more anyways.

Also, I suppose I should have specified it in my initial post, but my job was actually teaching English, so I would think that would help enhance/maintain the relevancy of the experience, albeit from a slightly different angle, no?

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Simply interacting with doctors doesn't count for anything. If you were shadowing them that would go on your application, but interacting with them won't, unless you mention it in your personal statement or the description of the work you were doing.

If you were shadowing them, the hours will count. UW specifically states that hours spent shadowing doctors overseas will count toward their requirement, but they also want some time spent shadowing physicians in the US. That's probably true for most medical schools.

 

[AlongWay]

About two summers ago I had the opportunity to volunteer at one of the largest cancer institutes in India. It was a truly eye-opening experience and I can safely say that my inspiration to be a doctor comes from 2 oncologists I met and 3 patients who really helped to broaden my perspective on life.

Granted that when applying to US med schools, shadowing US doctors is more relevant, but I think everybody should have the opportunity to go see how medicine is practiced in another country. In India at least, the way patient care is handled is very relevant to the local culture. It is interesting to see how culture influences patient care and gives a different perspective of medicine. In some ways it may make you appreciate your own culture more.