Hi all,
I am so happy I found this site- it’s really helpful to read about others’ experiences, and know that I’m not alone! I do have a question regarding “clinical experience”, however. I work as an epidemiologist for the infectious disease department of a state health agency, and we frequently take call- consulting both with the public but also with providers, answering questions and providing recommendations regarding appropriate treatment. We then discuss our cases daily in a mini-rounds type forum. I have gained so much from this experience, and I feel it has provided me with insight into the clinical workings of a public health doctor (which is what I’m interested in).
Prior to working for the health department, I have a number of years as a mental health counselor (it’s been a meandering career path for me, haha). Both my experience at the health department and as a counselor have strengthened my conviction that this is what I want to do with my life; they have also taught me skills that I believe will be invaluable as a physician. But I’m not quite sure how to categorize them- I feel they are “clinical experience” of a sort, but I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to inflate my hours artificially.
I will hopefully have between 30-50 hours of shadowing by the time I apply, but I’m worried schools won’t regard my experiences as clinical and will ding me. What do y’all think? Thanks!!!