Is Virtual Shadowing Enough for Pre-Med & Pre-PA Students?

Virtual shadowing surged in popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic, offering students a way to observe healthcare professionals remotely. While convenient, is virtual shadowing truly a substitute for in-person clinical experience? For pre-med, pre-PA, and other pre-health students aiming to stand out on applications, this question is more relevant than ever.

In this article, we explore the limitations of virtual shadowing and why immersive, in-person internships, such as those offered by Go Elective in Kenya and Tanzania, provide more meaningful preparation for medical and PA school.

Virtual Shadowing: A Useful Starting Point, but Not Enough

Virtual shadowing allows students to observe physicians, physician assistants, and other providers via telehealth consultations or webinars. Virtual PA shadowing, for example, is common among pre-PA students who want exposure to clinical workflows remotely. These experiences may introduce students to clinical decision-making and patient-provider interactions, but the learning remains largely passive.

The key issue? Virtual shadowing lacks the hands-on component that admissions committees value. Observing through a screen cannot replicate the emotional intelligence, physical examination techniques, and adaptability you develop through in-person patient care.

Where Virtual Shadowing Falls Short

Limited Hands-On Experience

Without physical presence in hospitals or clinics, virtual shadowing eliminates opportunities to:

Practice vital signs or physical exams
Assist in procedures (under supervision)
Engage in direct patient interaction

At Go Elective, students are embedded within busy clinical departments at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Kenya) or hospitals in Arusha and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), where they shadow healthcare providers, participate in patient rounds, and engage directly with patients—something virtual platforms cannot replicate.

Hindered Communication & Networking

Telehealth-based shadowing limits your ability to build rapport with mentors or ask questions in real-time. In contrast, Go Elective’s in-person placements foster close mentorship relationships with local physicians, nurses, and specialists. These mentors often become valuable resources for reference letters and professional guidance long after your internship concludes.

Cultural & Situational Context Missing

Shadowing virtually removes you from the diverse challenges faced in healthcare globally. Pre-med students aiming for culturally competent care benefit from experiencing how healthcare is delivered in underserved settings.

In Go Elective’s East Africa programs, students gain a deep understanding of local health disparities, cultural attitudes toward medicine, and the systemic obstacles hospitals face due to resource limitations—insights critical to becoming a compassionate future physician.

Why In-Person Internships Stand Out to Admissions Committees

Medical and PA schools often list “direct patient care” or “hands-on clinical experience” as prerequisites for competitive applicants. Virtual shadowing does not fulfill these requirements for most programs.

Go Elective’s medical internships not only meet but exceed these expectations by offering:

Active participation: Engage in hospital wards, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, or surgical theaters.
Structured mentorship: Receive guidance and feedback from healthcare providers working on the frontlines in Kenya and Tanzania.
Cross-cultural communication: Enhance your ability to work with diverse patient populations, a skill highly sought after in today’s healthcare landscape.
Ethical exposure: Interns are taught to navigate ethical dilemmas commonly faced in developing countries, helping them develop a strong moral compass.

Learn more about our immersive medical internships in Kenya and Tanzania designed specifically for pre-med, pre-PA, and other healthcare students.

What Students Actually Need: Comprehensive Clinical Exposure

Development of Clinical and Interpersonal Skills

In-person experiences cultivate:

Bedside manner and empathy
Hands-on proficiency (vital signs, wound care, charting)
Critical thinking and clinical reasoning
Teamwork within multidisciplinary healthcare teams

These are non-negotiable skills expected by admissions officers and crucial for long-term success in the healthcare field.

Real Networking and Mentorship Opportunities

Students who intern with Go Elective build real-world connections with physicians and healthcare workers who later become mentors or referees. Our participants routinely receive personalized letters of recommendation from medical professionals who have observed their clinical abilities firsthand.

Global Health Literacy & Cultural Competence

Exposure to East African healthcare settings equips you to understand health challenges in resource-limited environments. You will develop an appreciation for the intersection of culture, medicine, and socio-economic factors—knowledge that helps future healthcare providers deliver equitable care across diverse patient populations.

Virtual Shadowing vs. Go Elective Internships: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect	Virtual Shadowing	Go Elective In-Person Internship
Patient interaction	Indirect (telehealth observation only)	Direct, face-to-face engagement
Clinical skills development	Very limited	Active participation in patient care
Communication with providers	Often one-way, limited to webinars	Mentorship and daily in-person interaction
Cultural immersion	None	Full immersion in Kenyan or Tanzanian healthcare systems
Letters of Recommendation	Rarely personalized	Strong, personalized letters from supervising physicians
Admissions impact	Low to moderate	High impact for medical/PA school applications

Recommended In-Person Alternatives: Go Elective Programs

If you are serious about your medical or PA school application, consider complementing any virtual shadowing you’ve done with robust clinical experience abroad.

At Go Elective, we offer:

Pre-Med Internships
Pre-PA Internships
Pre-Nursing Internships
Public Health & Global Health Programs

All of which are hosted in collaboration with major teaching hospitals in East Africa. Participants gain 40+ clinical hours per week while learning in unique specialties such as tropical medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and emergency care. See our programs here.

FAQ: Your Top Questions About Virtual Shadowing

Does virtual shadowing count for med school?

It may supplement your application but is rarely accepted as a substitute for direct patient care.

Is virtual shadowing accepted by PA schools?

Some programs will acknowledge it as exposure, but most prefer hands-on roles like medical assistant, EMT, or clinical internships abroad.

What’s a better alternative?

A combination of shadowing hours and direct clinical internships—such as Go Elective’s programs in Kenya and Tanzania—is ideal.

How can I meet clinical hour requirements?

Participate in structured internships where you accumulate substantial direct patient care hours under supervision. Go Elective’s programs are a perfect match for this.

Final Thoughts

Virtual shadowing may have value as an introduction to the healthcare field, but nothing compares to the immersive learning that comes with in-person internships. To stand out on your medical or PA school applications and gain meaningful patient care experience, prioritize placements like those offered by Go Elective.

Ready to build your clinical skills while exploring global healthcare? Apply today to Go Elective internships in Kenya or Tanzania.