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How do you figure out if you want to go into medicine before going to med school?

Are internships, volunteering, or classes a good representation of what an actual job in the medical field would be like? Or is there a better source?

nursing medicine career-path spring26
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James’s Answer

It is ideal to find opportunities to shadow physicians of different specialties in different settings. It may be easier to get a private physician in their office to let you tag along than in a hospital. We have HIPAA laws that protect patient privacy that are good, but make it a bit harder to find these opportunities. Expect to have them run a background check, make you sign papers, and feel a bit like a criminal (they really don't feel that way, but it doesn't feel great going through the process).
At the very least ask physicians of different specialties to give you the gift of a 15-30 minute conversation about what they enjoy and dislike about their careers.
A good way to observe some of what it is to be a medical professional is to become an EMT or MA or ED Tech. You can make money doing this while you get to see how medical care is delivered in different settings.
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Brandon ’s Answer

I think you listed the ones I would typically mention. One thing I would add, is that you could also do Medical Observations. It is basically something people can do if they are interested in the medical field. Typically you have to be at least 18 in many places to do it, but it does depend on the place, UW Medicine and Seattle Children hospitals offer this.
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Paul’s Answer

It's hard to know exactly what a career in any field will suit you until you actually do it. However, any opportunity to interact with professionals in a given field, whether through internships or volunteerism,will give you some insight into the day to day existence in that profession.

Good luck.
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