As medical schools place increasing emphasis on patient interaction, communication skills, and hands-on healthcare exposure, gaining meaningful clinical experience has never been more important for premed students. However, with the rise of telemedicine and AI-driven healthcare, the definition of clinical experience is shifting, leaving many students wondering: Is virtual clinical experience as valuable as in-person experience?

At AcceptMed, we help students navigate the changing landscape of medical school admissions, including how to choose the most impactful clinical experiences. Whether in-person or virtual, the key is to demonstrate a deep understanding of patient care, strong communication skills, and a commitment to healthcare.

Why Clinical Experience Matters for Premeds

Clinical experience isn’t just about checking a box on your application—it’s about:

• Confirming your commitment to medicine – Admissions committees want to see that you’ve had exposure to real patient care and understand the challenges of the profession.
• Developing essential skills – Direct patient interaction builds empathy, adaptability, and communication skills, all of which are critical for future physicians.
• Standing out in the admissions process – Strong clinical experience sets applicants apart by demonstrating initiative, professionalism, and a passion for patient care.

As telemedicine expands and new roles emerge, clinical experience now extends beyond traditional hospital and clinic settings, giving students more flexibility and opportunities than ever before.

Best Virtual Clinical Experiences for Premeds

1. Telemedicine Scribing

Why It’s Valuable:

• Telemedicine scribes work alongside physicians during virtual patient visits, gaining real-time exposure to medical decision-making and patient interactions.
• Unlike traditional scribing, telemedicine scribing allows students to observe a wider range of cases from different geographical locations.
• Strengthens documentation skills, medical terminology knowledge, and understanding of patient histories.

How to Get Involved:

• Look for telemedicine scribe programs through companies like ScribeAmerica, Aquity Solutions, or private telehealth practices.
• Some physicians in private practice also hire telemedicine scribes—consider reaching out directly.

2. Remote Clinical Research

Why It’s Valuable:

• Many research studies now include virtual patient data analysis, case studies, and patient follow-ups.
• Allows premeds to engage in clinical problem-solving and scientific inquiry without needing to be in a physical lab or clinic.
• Research experience is highly valued by medical schools, especially if it contributes to published studies or conference presentations.

How to Get Involved:

• Search for remote research assistant positions at medical schools, hospitals, or research institutions.
• Use platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, or faculty directories to find virtual research opportunities.

3. Health Outreach Volunteering (Hotlines & Public Health)

Why It’s Valuable:

• Involves real-time patient communication, offering support to people in need via crisis hotlines, mental health chat services, or patient education programs.
• Helps premed students develop active listening skills, compassion, and patient advocacy experience.

How to Get Involved:

• Volunteer for organizations like Crisis Text Line, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), or Planned Parenthood.
• Check local nonprofits or hospitals for virtual patient support programs.

Best In-Person Clinical Experiences for Premeds

1. Emergency Medicine (EMT, ER Volunteering)

Why It’s Valuable:

• Offers direct patient contact in high-intensity environments, helping students develop critical thinking and fast-paced decision-making skills.
• EMTs and ER volunteers interact with patients in urgent medical situations, gaining firsthand experience in patient care.

How to Get Involved:

• Get EMT-certified through community college programs or independent training centers.
• Apply for ER volunteer roles at hospitals that offer clinical exposure.

2. Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteering

Why It’s Valuable:

• Builds strong patient communication and emotional intelligence by working with patients in end-of-life care.
• Teaches compassion, bedside manner, and the realities of long-term patient care.

How to Get Involved:

• Reach out to hospice organizations or palliative care units at local hospitals.
• Many hospices have volunteer programs that provide direct patient interaction.

3. Medical Assisting (CNA, MA, Phlebotomy)

Why It’s Valuable:

• Roles like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), or Phlebotomist offer direct patient care experience.
• Medical assistants often work alongside physicians, take patient histories, and perform basic clinical procedures, making it one of the strongest clinical experiences available.

How to Get Involved:

• Complete a CNA, MA, or phlebotomy training program (typically a few months long).
• Apply for patient care roles at hospitals, clinics, or private practices.

4. Virtual vs. In-Person: Which One Should You Choose?

Both virtual and in-person experiences offer valuable skills, but in-person clinical experience is still preferred by most medical schools.

Choose Virtual If:

• You have limited access to in-person opportunities (e.g., during a pandemic or in rural areas).
• You want flexibility while balancing other commitments.
• You are interested in telemedicine, digital health, or virtual patient interactions.

Choose In-Person If:

• You want stronger patient interaction and hands-on skills.
• You are applying to traditional MD or DO programs that prefer direct patient care.
• You are interested in high-intensity environments like emergency medicine or surgery.

Best Approach: A combination of both is ideal—start with virtual experiences if needed, but aim to gain at least some in-person clinical exposure before applying.

How to Maximize Any Clinical Experience

Regardless of whether your experience is virtual or in-person, how you engage with it matters more than just listing it on your application.

1. Keep a Clinical Reflection Journal

• After each shift, write down key patient interactions, lessons learned, and how the experience reinforced your desire to pursue medicine.
• Medical schools love thoughtful reflections on patient care.

2. Develop Strong Relationships with Supervisors

• A physician, nurse, or research mentor who knows you well can write a strong letter of recommendation.
• Don’t just show up—engage, ask questions, and express your interest in learning.

3. Tie It into Your Application & Personal Statement

• When writing your personal statement or secondary essays, connect your clinical experiences to your motivations for medicine.
• Admissions committees want to see how your experiences shaped your understanding of healthcare.

With more options than ever, premed students must be strategic in choosing clinical experiences that align with their strengths and interests. Whether virtual or in-person, the key is to seek experiences that allow for meaningful patient interaction, skill-building, and personal growth.

• Virtual clinical experiences (telemedicine scribing, remote research, patient hotlines) are great for flexibility and skill-building.
• In-person experiences (EMT, hospice care, medical assisting) provide direct patient interaction and are highly valued.
• A combination of both virtual and in-person experiences is ideal for a well-rounded application.
• Reflection, mentorship, and strong engagement matter more than just logging hours.

By choosing the right experiences and making the most of them, you’ll build a stronger medical school application and gain valuable insights into the world of medicine.