Is volunteering through telemedicine considered clinical experience?

[Med16484]

A free medical clinic I volunteer at is only doing telemedicine due to COVID. If I volunteer by doing telemedicine, will that’s till be considered clinical experience?

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[Princeton Medical Student]

Yes.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I've received different answers to a similar question from adcoms.

@LizzyM says no because you're not in the presence of the patient thus failing the "smell test."
@Goro says yes.

So I guess the take away answer is different adcoms will view this differently.

 

[Med16484]

I've received different answers to a similar question from adcoms.

@LizzyM says no because you're not in the presence of the patient thus failing the "smell test."
@Goro says yes.

So I guess the take away answer is different adcoms will view this differently.

Is there any other way to gain clinical experience without going to a hospital due to Covid?

 

[ScrubswithnoSleeves]

A free medical clinic I volunteer at is only doing telemedicine due to COVID. If I volunteer by doing telemedicine, will that’s till be considered clinical experience?

definitely yes. I'm sure some old balls will say that doesn't count, but then I guess the thousands of primary care docs who are taking 90% telemedicine patients arent getting clinical experience either. Telemedicine will become increasingly common after this, and I think having experience with it will actually be a good talking point in your app.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Some SDN posters who have paid positions in a hospital have posted here that they have to put on full PPE before reporting for their hospital related clinical position.

As far as volunteering is concerned, some have mentioned volunteering at Covid blood collection testing sites (again wearing PPE). I'm not 100% sure that's considered patient directed clinical experience either as there's very little interaction with a patient.

 

[Goro]

I've received different answers to a similar question from adcoms.

@LizzyM says no because you're not in the presence of the patient thus failing the "smell test."
@Goro says yes.

So I guess the take away answer is different adcoms will view this differently.

That take away applies to all of the advice you see on SDN. We're individuals with our particular viewpoints.

 

[rx001]

I would say it would be yes. I recently got my yearly check up done via a zoom call. Even doctors going online to treat patients.

 

[LizzyM]

Is the person a patient? In some cases, you are obtaining blood or other substances from them but they are a research participant or a donor or a member of the public and not, specifically, a patient.

Are you in close proximity to the patient? Sure, telemedicine is something doctors do these days but eventually everyone has to have face-to-face contact with the sick, injured, dying. Part of the purpose of clinical experience (paid or volunteer) is to be sure that you can stand the environment. Without some face-to-face experience, I would not recommend an applicant for interview.

 

[ellia]

Is the person a patient? In some cases, you are obtaining blood or other substances from them but they are a research participant or a donor or a member of the public and not, specifically, a patient.

Are you in close proximity to the patient? Sure, telemedicine is something doctors do these days but eventually everyone has to have face-to-face contact with the sick, injured, dying. Part of the purpose of clinical experience (paid or volunteer) is to be sure that you can stand the environment. Without some face-to-face experience, I would not recommend an applicant for interview.

I can understand schools still being strict with their expectations of clinical hours this cycle given that applicants should have done the majority of their hours prior to February/March. But I wonder if schools will adjust their expectations for next cycle since I don't think most hospitals/clinics will allow volunteers back anytime soon?