Shadowing a Pediatrician?

[Student124]

I'm a senior in high school and I am interested in shadowing a pediatrician. Is there anything I should know prior to shadowing a pediatrician? Also, what should I expect when shadowing? Thanks.

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[sonofva]

What kind of pediatrician? If general, probably just a bunch of sick visits and well exams. As a high schooler I probably wouldn't expect you to know too much about pediatrics or medicine in general. Just try to look interested. If you're really interested in PEDS, and have a free hour, memorize a bunch of developmental milestones. Pediatricians love those...

 

[sonofva]

Maybe look up a little about rsv, and look up centor criteria.

 

[sonofva]

Centor criteria

 

[Catalystik]

I'm a senior in high school and I am interested in shadowing a pediatrician. Is there anything I should know prior to shadowing a pediatrician? Also, what should I expect when shadowing? Thanks.

Look nice when you show up, but don't wear anything that can't be drooled on. You might be expected to stand quietly in a corner and observe only, or you might be called on to help hold a child, entertain a sibling, listen to a heart, hold some bandaids, and otherwise be more actively involved. The pediatrician will give you guidelines. Refrain from asking questions until you are private. Use hand sanitizer a lot.

 

[FutureMD129]

I have yet to shadow a pediatrician, but really want to as that's my specialty of interest so far. Having worked with children for many years, I agree 100% with Catalystik about using hand sanitizer a lot. I constantly wash my hands or use hand sanitizer when I babysit, especially with the younger ones.

 

[hippo_crates]

I've been shadowing an infectious diseases specialist in the PICU and the hand sanitizer thing is always true! I just wore some semi nice shirt and tie with slacks but I've been thrown up on before so don't wear anything you'd miss. Personally I came into the whole experience with only the basic knowledge I knew of different common diseases in children and I basically just built it up from there. Most of the time though be prepared to just stand there quietly and observe and you ask questions after they've left the patient's room.