How important is clinical exposure?
Clinical exposure is essential. Before you invest all the time, money and hard work that goes into becoming a doctor, you should be sure this is a career that “fits” you and clinical exposure is the way to help you determine this. Get some exposure early, even before you have made your decision for sure. Students sometimes toy with the idea of becoming a doctor, but interactions with patients in a clinical setting often CONVINCE them- one way or the other. The Admissions Committee also wants to see some evidence that your career choice is well informed and not a “whim.” Experiencing a clinic or hospital often cements the emotional resolve that allows you to invest all those hours of studying. It is not necessary to have many small exposures to every field. One or two thorough immersions such as working as an EMT, orderly in a hospital, or volunteer in a physician’s office for the summer (allowing you real patient contact, not just filing X-rays) are more beneficial and desirable. Remem
