Scribing at my parents practice?

[glassesvar]

If I worked at my parents practice as a scribe, and was an official employee that got paid and everything, how would this look on my application? Would it look worse than finding a different physician to scribe for? I ask because it just seems more convenient and I’m also interested in their specific specialty.

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[jarednogeek]

Don’t see an issue. Do get some shadowing outside of their practice though

 

[Mike Bagwell]

You bring up a good point. You ask if it would look worse than finding another physician to scribe for.

Well some adcom will wonder the same thing when they look at your app.

This is more of a judgment issue. Exercise good judgment and shadow/scribe someone other than your parents.

I mean you can scribe for your parents but do it for your own benefit and get the clock hours with someone else.

 

[907914]

Silly question: Do you have to say it was your parent’s practice? You were a scribe is the part that really matters.

 

[965978]

Silly question: Do you have to say it was your parent’s practice? You were a scribe is the part that really matters.

OP would likely have to note the name of the office and/or be asked whom the doctors are during the interview. If the same last name is given it can cause the reviewer to wonder.

Idk how an interviewer would feel about discovering that an applicant worked for their parents as a scribe and didn’t mention the relationship on their application.

 

[glassesvar]

@LizzyM @Goro @gonnif @gyngyn thoughts?

 

[Goro]

Silly question: Do you have to say it was your parent’s practice? You were a scribe is the part that really matters.

Nothing like promoting dishonesty as a start to a profession that values honesty and professionalism

 

[Catalystik]

If I worked at my parents practice as a scribe, and was an official employee that got paid and everything, how would this look on my application? Would it look worse than finding a different physician to scribe for? I ask because it just seems more convenient and I’m also interested in their specific specialty.

Many applicants work for a small family business. Many kids of physicians shadow their own parent. I'd suggest using someone other than a parent as the Contact, say, the person who cuts the pay checks or an office manage or nurse. Also, get some other active clinical experience as a supplement, perhaps through volunteering. As a child of physicians, it should be easy for you to get referrals to other physicians for some dedicated shadowing (yes, you need that, too). Be sure to include a primary care doc, if that's not what your parents do.

 

[getdown]

While I don't see anything wrong with scribing for your parents, I would do it with someone else. If nothing more than to keep you on your toes and accountable for your commitment. You slack off a bit when it's with your own parent as they're more likely to let things slide.

 

[907914]

Nothing like promoting dishonesty as a start to a profession that values honesty and professionalism

I am not necessarily promoting it, I am just questioning if it really matters that it was his parent’s Practice?

I shadowed a physician who is also my supervisor at work and in my reserve unit but will not be explicitly stating those connections. It is an aspect that can be derived from the context of what I write, but doesn’t contribute to or take away from the activity. OP can do the same, can’t they?

How is withholding information being doshonest? The general consensus on SDN is to never mention you have kids in your application, isn’t that (and other things like it) wothholding information?

 

[Walter Raleigh]

It might be better if your parents could help you find a job as a scribe somewhere else; although this is certainly acceptable clinical work and may even further the family business, it does raise the specter that your parents might have been less than honest about your faults as an employee or be more lenient with you.

 

[nofliesonme]

Irreconcilable conflict of interest.

 

[gyngyn]

I am not necessarily promoting it, I am just questioning if it really matters that it was his parent’s Practice?
How is withholding information being doshonest? The general consensus on SDN is to never mention you have kids in your application, isn’t that (and other things like it) wothholding information?

The issue of parental advantage in medical school admissions has a long history.
Although there is nothing wrong with helping out in the family business (whatever it may be), you can't really use them as a reference.
I still get letters of evaluation from parents who do not identify themselves as the applicant's mother, for example!

The AAMC asks if you have dependents. There is no requirement to talk about your children, but I see no reason why you shouldn't.

 

[glassesvar]

Would it be okay if I listed it as clinical experience but did not use them to get LORs or anything? Why is it a conflict of interest to simply scribe for them and not use it as an LOR?

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Because you could be a terrible scribe or have gotten away with loafing on the job because you're working for Mom and Dad. In fact, if your parents were extra unscrupulous, they could hire you and let you get away with not even showing up. Not saying your parents aren't on the up and up, but it's something that goes through adcoms' minds. It's better than nothing, but not very valuable at all. See if your parents can help you get a clinical job elsewhere; if you scribe for your Dad's golfing buddy, that worry goes away.

 

[BubbaGump15]

I shadowded my dad and his partners and listed him as the contact on my application. Was not asked any questions about it

 

[Walter Raleigh]

@BubbaGump15, you shadowed your father's partners as well; you also learned what a doctor's day is like. I think that this isn't quite as important for shadowing, and the fact that you shadowed your dad's partners helps you a fair amount. In an adcom's eyes, your father might have been much less than scrupulous, but his partners would be less likely to put their reputations on the line - so it looks legit.

 

[BubbaGump15]

@BubbaGump15, you shadowed your father's partners as well; you also learned what a doctor's day is like. I think that this isn't quite as important for shadowing, and the fact that you shadowed your dad's partners helps you a fair amount.

Agreed so for OP maybe scribing for parents is ok but they should definitely shadow outside too

 

[Walter Raleigh]

It just makes things a little suspicious. Not saying that OP's parents aren't honest people, but the potential for corruption and whatnot exists. I'd only do it if my parents needed the money or I couldn't find any other kind of clinical work.