Understanding Observation vs. Clinical Experience
Observation hours, often referred to as shadowing, are a critical component for many aspiring healthcare professionals. This experience involves a passive role where you watch and learn from a qualified practitioner, gaining insight into their daily duties, patient interactions, and the general work environment. It is fundamentally different from direct patient care, or clinical experience, which involves a hands-on role in providing care to patients. Admissions committees look for both types of experience to assess your understanding of the profession.
The Importance of Tracking
Maintaining a precise and organized log of your observation hours is not just for formal applications; it is also a valuable reflective tool. By documenting what you observed and what you learned, you build a detailed record that can be used for personal statements, secondary essays, and interviews. A well-maintained log ensures that you have all the necessary information, such as dates, hours, and supervisor contact details, readily available when you need to submit your applications. Forgetting details or having inconsistent records can cause delays or raise questions during the application review process.
Building Your Observation Hour Tracker
The most reliable method for tracking your hours is to create a digital spreadsheet. This provides a central, organized place to record and calculate your hours. Whether you use a simple Excel file or a cloud-based service like Google Sheets, a structured approach is key.
Creating Your Spreadsheet
Your spreadsheet should be easy to update and include several columns to capture all relevant details. Consistency is essential. Create separate tabs for different experiences if needed (e.g., one for shadowing, one for clinical volunteering).
Spreadsheet Column Headers:
- Date: The specific date(s) of your observation. If the experience spans multiple days, list the start and end dates. For single events, just list the date.
- Healthcare Professional/Location: The name and title of the person you shadowed (e.g., Dr. Jane Doe, PT). Include the name and address of the clinic, hospital, or facility.
- Hours: The total hours spent in each session. Use decimals for partial hours, for example, 4.5 for four and a half hours.
- Specialty/Context: The medical specialty you observed (e.g., cardiology, orthopedics, geriatric care). Some programs require hours to be categorized this way.
- Description of Activities: A brief, yet detailed, summary of what you observed and learned. What did you find meaningful or surprising?
- Supervisor Contact Info: The best contact information for the professional, including their email and phone number. This is crucial for verification purposes.
Recording Your Hours
Begin recording your hours as soon as your observation session starts. It's best to record them immediately after each session to ensure accuracy. For certain health professions, like physical therapy, you may need to detail specific observations within your notes. For example, recording the techniques used or the patient's reaction to therapy provides valuable insight for your application. If observing different practitioners in the same facility, make sure to track their information separately.
Obtaining Verification and Professional Guidance
Verification of your hours is a critical step in the application process. Many professional programs, especially through centralized application services like PTCAS (Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service), require a licensed professional to verify the hours you report.
Securing Verification from Supervisors
Before you finish your observation period, speak with your supervisor about the process for verifying your hours. Some may need to sign a specific form from your program, while others may do it through an online portal. It is best practice to provide your supervisor with all the necessary information and forms well in advance to ensure a smooth process. You can also offer to provide them with a copy of your log to refresh their memory of your time with them.
Comparison: Observation vs. Clinical Experience
This table highlights the key differences between passive observation (shadowing) and active, hands-on clinical experience, both of which are important for aspiring healthcare students.
| Characteristic | Observation/Shadowing Hours | Direct Patient Care/Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Involvement | Passive; watching and listening. | Active; hands-on, providing direct care. |
| Key Activities | Observing procedures, watching patient interactions, learning documentation processes, asking questions. | Taking vital signs, drawing blood, bathing patients, assisting with mobility, administering therapy. |
| Purpose | To understand the daily life of a practitioner and confirm your interest in the career. | To gain practical skills, interact with patients directly, and apply knowledge in a hands-on setting. |
| Verification Method | Verified by the supervising professional (e.g., physician, PA, PT). | Verified by an employer, volunteer coordinator, or a healthcare professional who supervised you in a hands-on capacity. |
Special Considerations and Common Pitfalls
- Different Programs, Different Requirements: Research the specific requirements for each program you are applying to. Some programs may weigh certain specialties or settings more heavily than others. For example, some Physician Assistant programs may have requirements for different patient care environments.
- The Hospital Billing Context: While some search results mention counting observation hours for hospital billing purposes (related to a patient's outpatient status), this is a separate concept from student shadowing hours. You should not be involved in the hospital billing process as a shadow or volunteer. It's useful to be aware of this distinction in a hospital setting.
- Reflective Journaling: Beyond the basic tracking, keep a separate journal to capture your thoughts, questions, and insights. This will help you later on when crafting your personal statement and preparing for interviews.
- Avoid Procrastination: Start tracking your hours early and consistently. It's much harder to accurately recall specific dates, times, and details if you wait until the last minute.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
Mastering how to count observation hours is a fundamental step toward building a strong and competitive application for a health professional program. By establishing a robust tracking system from the start, you not only ensure accuracy for verification but also create a personal journal of your journey and motivations. Approach each observation opportunity with purpose, document it meticulously, and you will be well-prepared to articulate your experiences and demonstrate your commitment to your chosen field. For more guidance on shadowing, consult resources from authoritative sources like the AAMC Shadowing Guide.
