As a premed student, you likely have a to-do list to help you stay on track for completing your medical school application.
It might include items like start studying for the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®), research volunteer opportunities, and meet with your pre-health advisor to make sure you’re on top of your premedical coursework.
While clinical experience is an important part of your application, the value of these opportunities extends far beyond that.
Why Is Premed Clinical Experience Important?
Clinical experience gives you a glimpse of how your life could be as a medical professional. You see firsthand the challenges within healthcare and what it takes to care for patients in various circumstances. This can help you decide if this path is the best fit for you and, if so, the kind of physician you want to become.
As you navigate the daily challenges of this profession, you’ll begin to learn lessons you may have overlooked in a classroom. The things you’ll be exposed to in these experiences can teach you the importance of humility, compassion, and resilience in the face of the unknown. This can motivate you to learn more, so you can do everything in your power to help patients achieve a better outcome.
The depth of your clinical experience and the lessons you’ve learned are what will stand out to medical school admissions teams, whose goal is to select candidates who are academically prepared and personally committed to the ethos of patient-centered care in the medical field.
How Clinical Experience Enhances Premed Education
The practical application of theoretical knowledge can help transform you from an observer to a participant. This hands-on approach can help hone your clinical reasoning skills and prepare you to respond professionally in various situations. It also sheds light on the complexities of healthcare delivery and current challenges medical professionals face.
Exposure to diverse healthcare scenarios can enrich your perspective and challenge your assumptions. Additionally, it’s an excellent opportunity to build a strong network of mentors and peers who can support and guide you throughout your journey.
What Qualifies as Clinical Experience?
Clinical experience is typically gained through any activity where you interact with patients directly or assist in their care. Volunteer clinical experience can offer more opportunities for you to be hands-on with patients, but it may require you to undergo additional training and earn certifications. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to gain clinical experience.
It’s important to remember that what qualifies as relevant clinical experience may vary by medical school. If you’re unsure whether your efforts align with the expectations of your prospective schools, contact them directly for specifics.
Some clinical experience examples are:
Working as a Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Working as a volunteer EMT provides a unique blend of flexibility and intensive clinical experience. This unpaid position allows you to work on a part-time or full-time basis to better accommodate your schedule. In this role, you’ll gain firsthand healthcare experience providing emergency care to patients in various settings and transporting them from accident sites to hospitals.
You’ll engage with a diverse patient population facing a range of medical emergencies. This role puts you in high-pressure situations where quick thinking, rapid assessment, and quality care are paramount. This can help better prepare you for cases you may later encounter as a physician.
Before you can apply for this position, you’ll need to undergo a training program to build your medical knowledge and procedural skills. This enables you to make informed decisions and provide effective care in critical moments. Having a CPR certification and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) licensure can also better prepare you to serve your community.
The EMT path can help sharpen your clinical acumen and enhance your ability to function effectively under pressure.
Participating in Internships and Research Programs
Participating in formal programs can provide a structured way to explore a particular area of medicine and gain research experience, which is increasingly valued by medical schools. Through these programs, you’ll work closely with mentors to build your knowledge of research methodology and data analysis. This experience can help improve your critical thinking skills and demonstrate your ability to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of medical knowledge.
If you’re unsure where to start, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has compiled a list of summer research programs. The National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) also offers a list of summer internship and research programs.
Acting as a Caretaker for a Loved One
While an unconventional choice for clinical experience, serving as a caretaker can provide you with insights into patient care from a familial perspective. As a caretaker, you’ll interact with healthcare professionals and assist in your loved one’s medical care. This can give you a unique perspective on patient-centered care and help you better understand the importance of collaboration with healthcare teams. This experience can also be an excellent way to demonstrate your commitment to helping others.
How to Secure Clinical Experience
Securing clinical experience may initially seem daunting, but leveraging the resources available to you through your educational institution can help streamline the process. Start by speaking with your pre-health advisor or instructors about school-affiliated opportunities.
Conducting your own independent research is another effective strategy for finding clinical opportunities. This can include browsing online for nearby clinics, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities and reaching out to inquire about volunteer or internship opportunities. While this approach requires a bit more initiative, you’ll discover more experiences, some of which may offer a better fit for your interests or career aspirations.
Tips for Maximizing the Experience
Having clear goals before deciding on your externship experience is crucial for narrowing down your options to those best aligned with your long-term goals. Knowing what you want to achieve before applying to opportunities can guide you toward meaningful and relevant clinical experiences.
Journaling throughout your experiences is an excellent way to gauge your growth and discover what you want from your career. By documenting your daily experiences, challenges faced, and lessons learned, you develop a deeper understanding of your strengths, areas for improvement, and your evolving perspective on patient care. This practice can help enrich your medical school applications by providing material for a compelling personal statement that captures your commitment to medicine.
Aiming to gain clinical hours continuously throughout the year can lessen the stress associated with accumulating sufficient experience. Continuous involvement also allows more chances for you to strengthen your relationship with mentors and healthcare professionals. This can help you build a supportive network that can offer valuable insight, guidance, and potential recommendations.
Addressing Common Clinical Experience FAQ
How Many Hours of Clinical Experience Is Good for Med School?
While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, applicants should aim for around 100 to 150 clinical hours. You can always gain more hours than this, but it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity. Admissions committees are interested in seeing how you’ve demonstrated resilience, compassion, and dependability throughout these experiences.
Can You Use Nontraditional Clinical Experiences in Your Application?
While some institutions may accept nontraditional experiences, others may not. It’s always best to consult with individual schools to determine their specific policies and preferences. Regardless, these experiences can still be valuable for personal growth and can help shape your understanding of healthcare. So, don’t hesitate to include them in your personal statement or discuss them during interviews.
Start Preparing for Your Career in Medicine
Clinical experience is a stepping stone to your medical career. By leveraging the opportunities discussed here, you not only bolster your medical school application but also enrich your understanding of healthcare and solidify your commitment to the profession. The dedication and fortitude you demonstrate today will become the foundation of your future as a healthcare leader.
So, take advantage of all the opportunities available to you and continue to foster a well-rounded skill set that will enable you to excel in your medical studies and future career. Let this journey be one of self-discovery and growth as you prepare to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Ready to take the first step toward becoming a doctor? Submit this form for more information or apply to the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine today!
