How do I get clinical experiences?

[lizlemon123]

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I'm itching to go to med school (read about it. watched it on TV. talked about it with friends and professors. love it) but I haven't experienced it---I have zero clinical experience. Zip. None. This summer I have been trying to become a volunteer at the hospital for the medical school in my state, but nobody has responded to my emails How did you guys get involved in clinical stuff?
I'd also really like to shadow some doctors but I don't know any doctors personally. How does one arrange shadowing? Do you have to know the doctor before hand? Literally the only doctor I know is my pediatrician I haven't seen for 3 years.

What should I look into so I'm not sitting around for the rest of this summer?

Thanks!

 

[armybound]

It may be good to contact your pediatrician. You could also try more direct ways of contacting volunteer opportunities like calling.

 

[thlaxer]

Ask your college's premed office. If you're lucky, they may have a list of doctors who are open to shadowing. As for volunteering, check the website of the hospital's volunteering office, you might find an online application there (or as armybound said, just call). Are there free clinics in your area that could use help? That might be another place to find some meaningful clinical volunteering experience.

 

[ravupadh]

Most hospitals that allow you to volunteer have a volunteering office. Google them and call them to get the application.

You can also become a volunteer/paid EMT which is a great way to get clinical experience.

Shadowing may or may not be looked upon as good clinical experience depending on the school, so I wouldn't stress this too much. However, if you really want to shadow a physician then there is a website that lists available osteopathic physicians that you can shadow. You need to make an account but it'll give you osteopathic physicians near you that are willing to shadow: http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/index.cfm?pageid=ment_exchange

 

[kpcrew]

try calling the volunteer office or go to their office in person. for shadowing, my school's premed office got me into contact with alumni and many of them were more than happy to show me around and let me watch what they do. ask your parents, they might know people who are doctors or have children that are doctors. you might also have relatives that are in healthcare.

 

[SuperM4rio]

I'd suggest look up hospitals in your area and fill out the applications before-hand. Go there and visit their office (after calling first and making sure they'll be there) and be decently dressed so you look prepared. After this, they will most likely (depending on the hospital) have you attend an orientation, have a TB test, etc. You may also want to speak to the person to see which spots have more direct exposure to patients (escorting people around the hospital, etc.)

The whole process should take about a week or two so get started ASAP if you'd like to start for the summer.

Also, there are other ways to get clinical exposure. Such as being an EMT (have to take classes and get certified, or becoming a Scribe.

Good Luck!

 

[lizlemon123]

Be a scribe...that sounds cool. How would I go about becoming one?

 

[DCGuava]

Be a scribe...that sounds cool. How would I go about becoming one?

http://bit.ly/N2laHm

First, I'd work on your very basic internet research skillz...

Enjoy!
😉