I went for an orientation at a huge hospital for a volunteering position, it seemed as if the volunteering there meant that I was going to file folders and rarely get to speak to or see any of the patients. Plus the orientation lady specifically stated that the hospital had more than enough volunteers... 
After hearing numerous things about safe-guarding patient info and all other office job formalities, I came to a conclusion that this was NOT the volunteering I wanted to do. I'm not trying to say one volunteering is superior than another, but I want to do something I'm more passionate about, such as getting to talk to the elderly, affecting the patients in some positive way and generally, at a less company-like environment.
Therefore, I was wondering if any of you knew how important it is, when I'm applying to medical school, that I have specific volunteering for medically related activities? Of course I want to gain that experience, but not through filing papers and folders (I can do that at office max)... and if you have any suggestions on what I may be looking for?
PS. I have shadowed couple doctors (spanning around 2 weeks each), was an author of a paper, and worked at a research/cell culture lab for the past 2 1/2 years, so I am not completely without any med experience... just not much patient ones.
FOOT NOTES: Went to volunteering orientation at hospital, did not like what I heard, want to do volunteering at a more personal level, what might be a good place?
After hearing numerous things about safe-guarding patient info and all other office job formalities, I came to a conclusion that this was NOT the volunteering I wanted to do. I'm not trying to say one volunteering is superior than another, but I want to do something I'm more passionate about, such as getting to talk to the elderly, affecting the patients in some positive way and generally, at a less company-like environment.
Therefore, I was wondering if any of you knew how important it is, when I'm applying to medical school, that I have specific volunteering for medically related activities? Of course I want to gain that experience, but not through filing papers and folders (I can do that at office max)... and if you have any suggestions on what I may be looking for?
PS. I have shadowed couple doctors (spanning around 2 weeks each), was an author of a paper, and worked at a research/cell culture lab for the past 2 1/2 years, so I am not completely without any med experience... just not much patient ones.
FOOT NOTES: Went to volunteering orientation at hospital, did not like what I heard, want to do volunteering at a more personal level, what might be a good place?
