Physician Shadowing Req.

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Since I'm done with the MCAT, I'm now trying to find ways to strengthen my app more before I sent out the AMCAS in June. I think that other than my sine-wave like grades, my weakness would be in clinical experience. So far, I've only had a little more than a semester's worth of volunteering and some physician shadowing. I'm more concerned about shadowing at this point, because a good amount of it can be done before I submit that app. My question is if med schools actually determine if hours invested in shadowing is more important than the experience itself. I've shadowed a trauma physician twice (about 15 hours total) at a hospital known for its great trauma program, and I've seen a ton just from my two days (surgeries, the trauma process, resident discussions, etc.). Is that good enough to clock in as significant experience, or will I need to clock in more hours?

 

[Depakote]

Since I'm done with the MCAT, I'm now trying to find ways to strengthen my app more before I sent out the AMCAS in June. I think that other than my sine-wave like grades, my weakness would be in clinical experience. So far, I've only had a little more than a semester's worth of volunteering and some physician shadowing. I'm more concerned about shadowing at this point, because a good amount of it can be done before I submit that app. My question is if med schools actually determine if hours invested in shadowing is more important than the experience itself. I've shadowed a trauma physician twice (about 15 hours total) at a hospital known for its great trauma program, and I've seen a ton just from my two days (surgeries, the trauma process, resident discussions, etc.). Is that good enough to clock in as significant experience, or will I need to clock in more hours?

I think generally schools like to see more consistant experience with shadowing exposure. I wouldn't leave it out of your application by any means, but I don't think it will help you as much as you would have hoped.

In the time before you file your AMCAS (and the time after), I would try to get in as much time with a doc on a regular basis as possible.

 

[g3pro]

My attitude towards clinical experience is that it needs to be consistent, long-term, and in-depth. If you do not understand the fundamentals of clinical medicine from a physician's perspective, then how do you know what you are getting into?

But definitely, I would still include it. Those 15 hours of shadowing are better than the next person's 150 hours of volunteering in the ED stocking blankets and running around for the nurses.

 

[Dr.MD]

Those 15 hours of shadowing are better than the next person's 150 hours of volunteering in the ED stocking blankets and running around for the nurses.

I think you should include it as well. But I do not agree about the 15 hours better than the 150 hours. Even you just worked for the nurses, in that 150 hours you would probably be able to see doctors working with patients, although not through a first hand experience. In addition, even if the work seems totally menial, it still is clinical experience and is totally necessary in a hospital and would give you some patient contact.