Pre-med students experience a day in the life of a medical student

At the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s annual Medical Student for a Day program, pre-med students had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a medical student. For many, it was also their first exposure to what sets osteopathic medicine apart from allopathic medicine.   

Hosted by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the Athens campus welcomed about 36 participants on Nov. 7. The program opened with a patient case study focused on a cardiac-related condition, giving participants the chance to think through a clinical scenario much as medical students do in the classroom.  

“We kind of talk about the case and how it relates to medicine in general,” said second-year medical student and SNMA president Christiane Arkorful-Bondzie. 

Participants then moved to the osteopathic medical manipulation (OMM) lab where they had a chance to learn and practice a basic OMM technique.  

“OMM is basically using your hands to feel,” said Arkorful-Bondzie.“Then we talk about that body, mind, spirit connection that we believe in as DOs. We believe that the body sometimes can heal itself. OMM is a technique, aid or extra resource.” 

The hands-on nature of OMM often pushes students outside their comfort zones. Many participants arrive unfamiliar with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and are hesitant to practice techniques with someone they have just met. Student volunteers walked participants through the exercise while reinforcing an important lesson they will carry into their future careers: always ask for a patient’s consent before initiating a physical examination. 

By the end of the session, many participants had embraced the experience. As one student enthusiastically told fellow participants while leaving the lab, the OMT exercise “opened me up a little. Good stuff.” 

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Nolan Warnken, a junior at the University of Cincinnati, said he didn’t know much about osteopathic medicine before attending the program and was surprised to learn that osteopathic physicians receive the same medical training as M.D.s but also learn OMT. 

SNMA Vice President Jennifer Domfe said understanding osteopathic medicine can broaden students’ perspectives about their future careers.  

“One of my favorite things an advisor once told me about being a D.O. is this: A D.O. can do everything an M.D. can, but an M.D. cannot necessarily do everything a D.O. is trained to do,” Domfe said. 

Ryia Patel, a senior at the University of Cincinnati who already had a strong interest in osteopathic medicine before participating in Medical Student for a Day, described the OMM lab as “really cool.” She added that the program “really helped solidify my choice of doing D.O.” 

The pre-med students then rotated through different stations in Heritage Hall’s Clinical Training and Assessment Center. While there, the participants practiced taking patient histories in a mock encounter with medical student volunteers, who pretended to be patients. 

“I really liked the CTAC,” said Louis Weiss, a senior at The Ohio State University. “That was a really cool simulation.” 

For some participants, the anatomy lab proved to be one of the day’s most memorable experiences. 

As is often the case during Medical Student for a Day, several students were entering an anatomy lab with human donors for the first time. Initial hesitation frequently gave way to curiosity. Donors are often described as a medical students’ first patient. 

Andrew Owusu, an Ohio University graduate, said the anatomy lab was the highlight of the program, because he could take what he’s learned in textbooks and apply it in person. 

Beyond exposing participants to what medical education at the Heritage College will be like, organizers said a main goal of the program is to help students build connections with current medical students, faculty and staff. Heritage College faculty members and admissions staff participated throughout the day, providing guidance and conducting mock interviews that gave participants a glimpse into the medical school admissions process. About 25 student volunteers also assisted with the program. 

“I think having that experience of what it’s like being a med student is just motivating. It’s also nice to know you have a community because community is a huge part of medical school, especially at HCOM,” said Arkorful-Bondzie. 

"I was surprised by how happy everyone is,” Patel said. “I was asking them about their stress level and stuff, and they were like, surprisingly, it’s a pretty great environment. Everyone is so supportive, and it’s not super competitive. It’s a big community.” 

Weiss echoed those sentiments. 

“I’m really happy that HCOM does this,” he said. “I think it’s really a great opportunity that not a lot of pre-med students get the option to do. So, I’m really happy to be here.” 

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