Making A Difference Through an Extrodinary Clinical Learning Experience

The first year of medical school, at my university and practically every other medical school in the United States, is about breaking the human body down into its tiniest pieces. We study genes and transcripts and proteins that swirl into a kaleidoscope of constructs, colorful, flashing and clicking into place. We communicate in cryptic abbreviations that string these beads into forces, flows and volume. Our first patients, our cadavers, are interwoven strings of purple and grey, encircling the dense fibers of our organs. One afternoon every other week, we gather in a simulated doctor’s office, still obsessing over the organs and constructs, and anxiously wait for “Clinical Skills” to end so we can return to our other studies.


This summer, I wished I had spent a lot more time in “Clinical Skills” class. I nervously clutched my stethoscope as I realized that my memorized lists of genes were no use to me at the moment, standing in front of a whole, living patient. I tried to recall details from my clinical skills class. I attempted to look confident holding the otolaryngoscope, but quickly got flustered when the speculum slipped from my fingers and fell to the classroom floor. So I tried to make myself useful, setting up trash cans, ushering patients between rooms and interpreting for the real doctors.

My confidence grew over the course of the week volunteering with Shared Beat. I became more comfortable wielding the various clinic instruments. I found reassurance with each breath sound and heart beat I heard and, although I still struggled with certain skills, I felt myself grow into a more useful and confident member of the team.

Shared Beat has given me extraordinary clinical learning experiences. I have been able to volunteer skills I already have, like speaking Spanish, while improving my crucially important clinical skills. I have seen cases that I will probably never see again in the United States. But most importantly, I felt like I made a difference in the lives of many people while working with a truly remarkable group of physicians, nurses and other volunteers. Now, as a second year medical student, I have perspective, knowledge and inspiration that is unmatched. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Shared Beat (twice!) and eagerly look forward to the next trip.

Rachel Randell is a second year student at the School of Medicine of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has participated in Shared Beat trips in 2010 and 2012.