What Exactly Counts as Clinical Experience

[matt32red]

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[captainduckworth]

In the wise words of LizzyM, "If you are close enough to smell patients then it is a clinical experience."

Your first experience would definitely count as clinical experience. Getting a range of clinical exposure shouldn't be a bad thing as far as I'm aware.

 

[matt32red]

In the wise words of LizzyM, "If you are close enough to smell patients then it is a clinical experience."

Your first experience would definitely count as clinical experience. Getting a range of clinical exposure shouldn't be a bad thing as far as I'm aware.

That makes sense! So would my current position count at all as clinical experience? If not, what are some ways I could make it count, like other tasks I could maybe start doing there?

 

[captainduckworth]

That makes sense! So would my current position count at all as clinical experience? If not, what are some ways I could make it count, like other tasks I could maybe start doing there?

Are you able to interact with the patients beyond calling them and setting up appointments at the private practice?

 

[Orangekiwi]

That makes sense! So would my current position count at all as clinical experience? If not, what are some ways I could make it count, like other tasks I could maybe start doing there?

Is your position paid? If so, I would split it into two categories- One that is the hours you spend shadowing, and one as non-clinical employment for the hours you spend doing admin work.

 

[matt32red]

Is your position paid? If so, I would split it into two categories- One that is the hours you spend shadowing, and one as non-clinical employment for the hours you spend doing admin work.

It is unpaid. I did plan to split up the shadowing (I keep track of those hours separately from total hours at the place). But that's another thing I was confused about, would it count as volunteering overall then? I am not sure if unpaid interning is its own category on the application

 

[matt32red]

Are you able to interact with the patients beyond calling them and setting up appointments at the private practice?

What kinds of interactions would count? If I spoke with them at the front desk, or maybe took down histories at some point, would that be a good experience?

 

[Catalystik]

What kinds of interactions would count? If I spoke with them at the front desk, or maybe took down histories at some point, would that be a good experience?

That part of your responsibilities would certainly be considered active clinical experience.

 

[Catalystik]

It is unpaid. I did plan to split up the shadowing (I keep track of those hours separately from total hours at the place). But that's another thing I was confused about, would it count as volunteering overall then? I am not sure if unpaid interning is its own category on the application

Shadowing is not considered to be "volunteering."

Internships, which tend to include activities from multiple categories on the application, can be listed under the "Other" category. But unless you have other dedicated shadowing, I suggest you carve out those hours and list them under "Physician Shadowing" where they are less likely to be missed. Don't double count the hours.

 

[matt32red]

Shadowing is not considered to be "volunteering."

Internships, which tend to include activities from multiple categories on the application, can be listed under the "Other" category. But unless you have other dedicated shadowing, I suggest you carve out those hours and list them under "Physician Shadowing" where they are less likely to be missed. Don't double count the hours.

Yes, I was planning to count the shadowing hours individually and take them out of the total interning hours, which would be listed somewhere else. I don't currently do those things with patients but I would like to hopefully at some point! Would working as a medical assistant be the best way to get clinical experience? I plan to get a lot more shadowing as well.

 

[Catalystik]

Yes, I was planning to count the shadowing hours individually and take them out of the total interning hours, which would be listed somewhere else.

I don't currently do those things with patients but I would like to hopefully at some point! Would working as a medical assistant be the best way to get clinical experience? I plan to get a lot more shadowing as well.

Working as a medical assistant is one of many ways to get good active clinical experience. There is no "Best Way."

When seeking additional shadowing, be sure you have or will have a primary care doctor you can list.