Shadowing= volunteering?

[jackson123]

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Does shadowing a physcian count as volunteer work? I recognize that it isn't community service necessarily, but you are volunteering your time (i.e. no money involved).

 

[BigRedPremed]

Actually it is the physicians who are the volunteers since they are dedicating their time to answering your questions, getting the patients' permission, etc. They are the ones who are doing something they don't have to do and aren't getting paid for it. I could see how the physician could get volunteer hours for letting you shadow. Shadowing is clinical experience but not volunteer experience.

If you are asking what to classify it as on the AMCAS, I put it under "other." Many others put it under "Medical-Volunteering" (or something like that). Although technically not correct, I'm sure adcoms won't care.

 

[HumidBeing]

BigRed is right.

You do shadowing to benefit yourself. When you volunteer, it's to help someone else.

 

[jackson123]

Ya, I put it as volunteer/ medical/ clinical, b/c i thought that it was the closest fit to a category. The experience that I am refering to is my ER shadowing experience. I felt like I helped the doctor by telling patients that they would be seen shortly, and handing him tools etc. It can be hectic in the ER and an extra pair of hands is always useful.

 

[TheRealMD]

It goes under other. You shadow not for other people's benefit, but your own.