3 answers
4
Questions
Asked
893 views
Are there any resources (books, websites, programs) that helped you learn about medical career?
I want to pursue a medical career in the future and would like guidance on what classes, extracurricular activities, or volunteer opportunities I should focus on now.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
What was helpful to me, Ngoc, was
1) Volunteering in my local hospitals as a high school student, including in the physical therapy department.
2)Volunteering freshman year of college in a neighborhood health center.
3) After taking microbiology in college, getting a summer job in a US Army hospital lab where I learned what clinical lab work was like, learned phlebotomy (how to take blood from patients) and got comfortable talking to and working with patients. I also spoke with a doctor about how she practiced medicine. I also learned how to obtain EKG's.
4) After graduation from college, I worked as a medical assistant. I observed closely what the doctors did in their practices and continued to learn as much as I could about the practice of medicine. This confirmed for me that I was on the right track and this was the profession I wanted to pursue.
Contact the volunteer department of your local hospitals and see what options you have -- either during the school year or over the summer.
While you are volunteering or working for pay in a healthcare setting, try to develop contacts with doctors and other healthcare workers. Ask to shadow or talk to them.
1) Volunteering in my local hospitals as a high school student, including in the physical therapy department.
2)Volunteering freshman year of college in a neighborhood health center.
3) After taking microbiology in college, getting a summer job in a US Army hospital lab where I learned what clinical lab work was like, learned phlebotomy (how to take blood from patients) and got comfortable talking to and working with patients. I also spoke with a doctor about how she practiced medicine. I also learned how to obtain EKG's.
4) After graduation from college, I worked as a medical assistant. I observed closely what the doctors did in their practices and continued to learn as much as I could about the practice of medicine. This confirmed for me that I was on the right track and this was the profession I wanted to pursue.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the advice.
Ngoc
Updated
James’s Answer
I am unaware of any resources that would truly help you understand what becoming a physician or other healthcare worker is about. I urge you to find opportunities to see first-hand what different kinds of physicians, nurses, and others do. I recognize that doing so is not easy. Patient privacy (HIPAA) laws make it a challenge, although if you make the effort to jump through hoops, you can find chances to have direct observation opportunities. Failing that, I would encourage you to ask healthcare providers to give you 30 minutes or so of their time to discuss what they do, what they like, what they dislike, their challenges, and their rewards.
Thank you!
Ngoc
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I don't know of any websites but this is my opinion.
When I was pre-med, I volunteered at the hospitals (VA and local community hospital), did research in undergrad, and extracurricular activities. You need to focus on your grades and MCAT score. Without these, I think your chances are low to get into medical school. What I've noticed is some schools like candidates that are different (not a science major etc).
Personally, I think what would have helped me to decide to go to medical school would be to work in the doctor's office. It wasn't available when I was young but medical scribing is the best. You are in the room with the doctor, you hear the language of medicine, you see the interactions with patients and how to deal with difficult patients etc. AI will probably take over but I would even work for free. This will help you decide if medicine is for you but it's questionable how it will help you get into medical school. The medical students who rotated with me who worked as a scribe for 2 years were sharper and faster. They were not necessarily smarter but because they had the exposure, they were more confident and were already educated. Think if you were going to take a chemistry course in the fall and took it during the summer prior to starting. You already heard the lectures (although a different professor) and it's just easier. Imagine doing this for 2 years prior to starting medical school.
When I was pre-med, I volunteered at the hospitals (VA and local community hospital), did research in undergrad, and extracurricular activities. You need to focus on your grades and MCAT score. Without these, I think your chances are low to get into medical school. What I've noticed is some schools like candidates that are different (not a science major etc).
Personally, I think what would have helped me to decide to go to medical school would be to work in the doctor's office. It wasn't available when I was young but medical scribing is the best. You are in the room with the doctor, you hear the language of medicine, you see the interactions with patients and how to deal with difficult patients etc. AI will probably take over but I would even work for free. This will help you decide if medicine is for you but it's questionable how it will help you get into medical school. The medical students who rotated with me who worked as a scribe for 2 years were sharper and faster. They were not necessarily smarter but because they had the exposure, they were more confident and were already educated. Think if you were going to take a chemistry course in the fall and took it during the summer prior to starting. You already heard the lectures (although a different professor) and it's just easier. Imagine doing this for 2 years prior to starting medical school.
Thank you for the advice.
Ngoc