What is clinical experience (and how do I get it)?

While ‘clinical exposure’ involves shadowing doctors on their rounds, ‘clinical experience’ goes a little further. It involves actively engaging in patient care and medical practice.

When it comes to finding the best clinical experience for med school, here’s what you should look for.

Practical experience

Seek out opportunities to apply theoretical ‘textbook’ knowledge in real-world settings. This can involve tasks like organizing patient files, checking blood pressure, or testing for diseases. Like any profession, the more you practice, the better you get.

Start early to quickly build up hours of experience. This proves your commitment to a career in medicine – exactly what’s needed to confirm the choice you’ve made (or are making) about going into the medical profession.

Soft skill development

Beyond medical knowledge, clinical experience helps you cultivate a diverse skill set, including all of the AAMC Core Competencies. You'll develop a range of qualities, such as empathy, cultural humility, teamwork, and service orientation.

These competencies are crucial to success when applying for medical school. So, make sure the clinical experience you land maximizes opportunities to build soft skills.

Patient interaction

Interacting with patients allows you to develop interpersonal skills, an important aspect of patient care. Building rapport, communicating effectively, and showing empathy are crucial skills that can only be honed through direct interaction.

Clinical exposure for pre-med students allows you to quickly pick up how doctors interact with their patients. Go further by participating in medical outreaches and start communicating with patients directly. It’s the only way to develop that all-important bedside manner.

Clinical experience plays a pivotal role in your education and professional development. If you want to become a medical professional, then there’s no getting away from it: you need experience.

Here are the benefits of getting good-quality clinical experience:

• Action over textbooks: Bridge the gap between theory and practice by applying theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. Practical learning is essential for understanding the nuances of patient care.
  
  
• Build your skills: The only way to develop skills as a physician is by doing. Skills like checking blood pressure or testing for malaria are crucial. Speed up your learning under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals.
  
  
• Interpersonal growth: Beyond clinical skills, experience also fosters the development of your bedside manner. Communication, empathy, and cultural competence help build strong relationships with your patients.
  
  
• Career preparation: Clinical experience provides insight into the realities of a career in medicine, so you can make informed decisions about your path. Exposure to different specialties and healthcare settings will guide your career choices.
  
  
• Professionalism and ethics: Experience also reinforces professional conduct. You’ll learn to navigate ethical dilemmas, uphold patient confidentiality, and adhere to professional standards. This will put you in good stead for any upcoming challenges.