Gaining Clinical Experience?

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missdr10

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I have about a year until applications so I've been trying to fill in any missing "gaps" I have in my application. Thanks to a couple of other SDNers, I really noticed the lack of clinical experience I have and I learned that shadowing is no substitute for this (I'm sure this isn't news to anyone... evidently I don't have my stuff together as much as you guys do :p).

I've been thinking of taking a mission trip, which would allow me to do a lot of hands on work. However, it's pretty pricey and I am relying on my parents for financial help, so I would prefer to do something within the continental USA, if possible. Also, even if the trip works out, I think it's important for me to gain exposure to clinical experience within American medicine.

Additionally, I'm aware of other internships, but I know they're super competitive. While that doesn't fully deter me from trying, I think that I (32 MCAT, 3.75 GPA) am probably not the most competitive applicant in comparison to 37/3.9 students.

Last, when asking around at hospitals and clinics, most of them don't want a 21 year old undergraduate having much interaction with patients besides just watching. To be truthful, I've had to push my way into even shadowing some doctors to begin with (doctors mention that patients are more uncomfortable with a third party in the way). I also don't have any family connections in medicine I can use to gain this experience.

So my question is - what are some good ways to gain hands on experience in medicine?

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Have you tried any Veteran Hospitals in your area or free clinics? Sometimes it's hard to find opportunities to actually do something meaningful (like take histories or vitals etc - or at least things that you personally find cool/helpful), but it counts as clinical experience as long as you have been close to patients. Just being able to talk to them is enough (actually I think that's one of the most important things), so even if you're restocking stuff/bringing newspapers or coffee/front desk that would work. The point is to be able to talk about it - not necessarily what you did, but what you learned about interacting with patients. Adcoms want to see that you've considered medicine beyond what doctors "do." They want to see that you've realized that doctors have to work with a range of patients, and that it takes a particular skill set.
 
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Try nursing homes and hospices. Volunteering in those types of facilities is still clinical volunteering, and there's often more opportunity for meaningful patient interaction.
 
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You GPA and MCAT a very competitive. Don't worry yourself about that. Try finding a free, need based clinic in your area. They treat uninsured, underserved populations (many med schools eat that up BTW) and you can get close patient contact, network opportunities with physicians and exposure to primary care. At the one I work at, we often refer patients to specialists, so I get the opportunity to shadow them as well.
 
I wouldn't discount shadowing either. It mostly comes down to how much time you put in. One of my shadowing experiences became a regular weekly activity where the doctor "took me under his wing" and I have learned a ridiculous amount of information through this experience. We discuss cases and I get to talk to patients. The more time you spend in the hospital/clinic asking questions the better you will be. It's really that simple.

By the way, applicants with a 37/3.9 make up < 1% of the applicant pool. 32 is the 85th% or at least it was last year. It's an awesome score.
 
I have been working or volunteering in urban community clinics since I was 14. It can be difficult to get in to shadowing or actual patient contact in hospitals or large health networks. Find a local, small clinic, and go in and ask. I currently work as a Health Educator and Cousnelor for people living with HIV at a free Latino clinic. I am constantly SUPER busy and would be happy to have a volunteer.

That being said, research and reach out. Figure out what clinics could use help (hospitals don't. for profit large companies don't). Don't let any lack of response stop you. They are probably not answering because they are too busy. (one time the manager of a clinic I wanted to volunteer for wouldnt get back to me, so I just showed up one day. I worked there for over a year, volunteered directly assisting a physician in the chronic care program, and got a letter of rec from her)

GOOD LUCK
 
I volunteered at a VA hospital in the endoscopy unit. I pretty much got patients whatever they needed after they awoke from the procedure and I was trained to help take out IV's, clean beds and set-up IV bags. Then I got a CNA certification, which only took 5 weeks (which I did at night while I was also a full time undergrad student during the day) and then I started working at a hospital as a Patient Care Tech on the med/surg floor. I do things like catheterizing, taking blood glucose levels, bathing, grooming, etc. Its a really hands on position and I actually get paid more than I was at the university dining hall, and I get benefits and a discount on my cell phone bill =]. They probably hired me because I had the certification and volunteered in another hospital. The hospital I work at doesn't actually require any previous experience or licenses to be a PCT. Another suggestion, taking a basic EMT course and working as an EMT for at awhile. I found that it was really hard to get clinical experience in the same town that my undergrad institution was located because there were so many pre-meds, so you could try going out of town. If your too busy to work then you could try nursing homes, VA hospital, free clinics, hospice. You just have to call around. Lastly, do what your interested in. If you like kids, try to work with kids. If you like the elderly, work with older adults. If your interested in womens health, volunteer at a women's clinic or shelter. Good Luck, I'm sure you will get in somewhere =]
 
Thank you all very much for your help!

Just got a little bit shaken when I saw some users making clear distinctions between shadowing/volunteering and clinical work, even on the AMCAS application. While I've gained a lot of valuable experiences through shadowing and nursing home volunteer work, I've never done any medical work myself in these settings. I'm hoping a little more work in nursing homes, hospitals, etc. and some elaboration about my experiences will be enough to show that I'm familiar with clinical medicine.

Thanks again!
 
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