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Shadowing physicians is a critical part of many pre-med journeys, but not all shadowing experiences are created equal.
With Global Medical Brigades, students don’t just observe care in isolation.They learn how medicine functions within real communities, alongside physicians, local healthcare professionals, and patients whose access to care looks very different from what many students see at home.
This experience is designed to deepen clinical understanding while prioritizing ethics, sustainability, and community empowerment.
A Week in the Life of a Medical Brigader
While each Brigade varies slightly by country and program, most medical Brigades follow a similar structure that blends physician shadowing, clinic support, and patient education.
Volunteers rotate through several clinic stations, including:
- Triage: Students assist with patient intake, record vital signs, and help gather medical histories, often learning how to measure blood pressure and oxygen saturation under supervision.
- Physician Consultation: Volunteers shadow licensed doctors as they assess symptoms, diagnose illness, and explain treatment plans. This is where many students gain insight into patient communication, cultural context, and clinical decision-making.
- Pharmacy: Students help organize prescriptions and observe how medications are dispensed safely by licensed pharmacists.
- Health Education: Volunteers facilitate interactive education workshops focused on prevention, hygiene, and long-term health, often one of the most impactful and memorable parts of the experience.
Depending on the Brigade, students may also observe dentistry, optometry, or public health programming.
Throughout the week, only licensed professionals provide medical care. Students observe, assist within defined roles, and learn, never replacing trained providers.
Want to see more? Watch a clip of a volunteer in Panama describing his “day in life” of a Global Medical Brigades volunteer.
Learning Medicine in Context
Global Medical Brigades is intentionally structured around a Holistic Model, meaning healthcare is never viewed in isolation.
In addition to clinic days, volunteers may participate in:
- Community visits
- Cultural learning experiences
- Data collection that informs future healthcare planning
This data helps Global Brigades and local teams assess health trends, identify gaps, and strengthen systems year-round, long after a Brigade ends.
Will This Strengthen My Medical School Application?
Experiences like this can strengthen applications, but not because they’re “impressive.”
They’re valuable because they help students:
- Understand healthcare inequities in real-world settings
- Learn the limits and responsibilities of clinical roles
- Reflect thoughtfully on ethics, access, and sustainability
- Develop leadership and communication skills
Admissions committees care less about where you went and more about what you learned and how you reflect on it.
Importantly, Global Brigades is not voluntourism or a mission trip.
Programs are built on long-term partnerships with communities and local professionals, and students are prepared to engage respectfully and responsibly.
Understanding the Limits of Shadowing
As a pre-med, your role is intentionally limited, and that’s by design.
Students do not perform medical procedures. Instead, they:
- Observe clinical care
- Assist with triage and education
- Support pharmacy workflows
- Learn how healthcare systems function beyond the clinic
These boundaries protect patients and ensure ethical engagement, while still offering meaningful exposure and learning.
Ready to learn more?
If you’re looking for a global health experience that prioritizes ethics, learning, and long-term impact, Global Medical Brigades is likely a strong fit.
Explore Medical Brigades and learn how pre-med students can join the largest student-led movement for global health.
