Shadowing v. Volunteering

[esafille]

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I have been told on this forum (and completely agree that I should follow through), that I should look into some volunteering or shadowing opportunities while going through this post-bacc application process, and even as I continue my studies. Totally agree, and I am looking to do so.

My question, however, is what experiences will be best, if any. Ideally, I see myself getting into surgery (thinking cardiothoracic at the moment). I have a number of family and friends connections who are practicing medicine, and a number of promising opportunities, as a result. So, for example, should I try to shadow an invasive cardiologist I know, or would I be just as fine volunteering through an organized volunteering program at a nearby hospital?

My impression has been that any of these experiences is beneficial, and that one of the big goals in doing the work is to show patient interaction and familiarity with patient care. But are certain types of experiences looked upon more favorably than others?

Thank you!

 

[NTF]

If you have the time do both.

But if I had to choose, I think hospital volunteering would carry more weight.

 

[esafille]

If you have the time do both.

But if I had to choose, I think hospital volunteering would carry more weight.

Is that because I would have more personal patient interaction, versus just watching the doc interact?

 

[DrSmooth]

Doing 200+ hours of hospital volunteering (that's only 4 hrs a week for a year) helps show your commitment to medicine and community service. It also shows that you have some experience in some different medical environments and with interacting with patients (be sure you will be doing CLINICAL volunteering and not just sitting in a gift shop or something) and have given this whole thing some thought. It will also give you a couple of great clinical stories to talk about during your interviews.

Shadowing is good too, and would be a great addition. Shadowing helps you see different areas that you might be interested in, and see the day to day life of a physician. I think shadowing a particular physician for 3 days full-time is a good amount, and I would do this as many times as you feel is beneficial.

 

[esafille]

Doing 200+ hours of hospital volunteering (that's only 4 hrs a week for a year) helps show your commitment to medicine and community service. It also shows that you have some experience in some different medical environments and with interacting with patients (be sure you will be doing CLINICAL volunteering and not just sitting in a gift shop or something) and have given this whole thing some thought. It will also give you a couple of great clinical stories to talk about during your interviews.

Shadowing is good too, and would be a great addition. Shadowing helps you see different areas that you might be interested in, and see the day to day life of a physician. I think shadowing a particular physician for 3 days full-time is a good amount, and I would do this as many times as you feel is beneficial.

So, the clinical volunteering is more of what the schools want to see, whereas the shadowing would be more personally beneficial? I plan to do a bit of both, but have already done TONS of informal shadowing with relatives who are physicians.

 

[DrSmooth]

I think schools like to see both, and the more the better. In my experience, interviewers have been more interested in my volunteer hours, but I'm sure that is different for everyone. And most shadowing is "informal". Don't let that stop you from citing it along with the # of hrs on your ECs.

 

[esafille]

I think schools like to see both, and the more the better. In my experience, interviewers have been more interested in my volunteer hours, but I'm sure that is different for everyone. And most shadowing is "informal". Don't let that stop you from citing it along with the # of hrs on your ECs.

Oh, I will be sure to mention any and everything possible... even the Chemistry tutoring I have been doing for my little brother (high school sophomore) and his classmates.

 

[Catalystik]

So, the clinical volunteering is more of what the schools want to see, whereas the shadowing would be more personally beneficial? I plan to do a bit of both, but have already done TONS of informal shadowing with relatives who are physicians.

Clinical volunteering is a "double dipper" as you are providing a community service and testing your fitness for medicine by having face-to-face interactions with sick people. Adcomms want to see both, as well as the clinical environment experience that you get from a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or hospice. You could also get clinical experience from a job or clinical research.

Shadowing, being a passive observership, doesn't get you clinical experience. It is mainly for you, so you know what doctors do all day. It needs to be on the application so adcomms know that you know. The informal shadowing you've mentioned is fine. About 60-80 hours is enough to satisfy the expectations of any med school (a few don't care, and some think 1-2 days is enough). If your experience doesn't cover at least one primary care doc, then add that too. On the application, you'll list this under "Other" with dates/hours for each doc/specialty/contact information. Give the total hours at the end of the narrative area.