Advice about shadowing

[Engg to Doc]

Hi,
I just had an appointment with my physician today and I told him that I had gone premed and asked him about shadowing him. He was SO nice that he immediately agreed, and with a LOT of enthusiasm. I will start with him in mid-July. Being non-trad, I have absolutely NO clinical experience. I have never been in a clinic before, other than as a patient. How should I prepare for this experience and what should I look at doing?
Also, how many hours a week is acceptable? I'd appreciate any advice out there....

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[MUN2005]

You are shadowing to gain clinical experience, so I doubt they will expect you to have any. You will not have any major duties/responsibilities anyway. I found it helpful knowing some medical terminology and common medical problems etc, which I learned from some pre-hosp trauma courses that I did as well as A&P. I have only shadowed twice, 4-5 hours in the past two weeks. Also,make sure to dress well, patients are more likely to respect you that way. First I wore a dress shirt with a tie but that was too formal so then I wore just a casual sweater the second time. Good Luck.

 

[Engg to Doc]

Thanks,
Is there any book/ website that lists common medical terminolgy/ problems?

 

[Flack Pinku]

Wow, what Doctor did you ask? How much time does he let you shadow him per week? And is he allowed to do that (since patients might not want anyone else but the doctor around)?

I am curious, because I want to ask a doctor as well... hoping I know what to do before I break the ice.

 

[Sweet Tea]

I shadowed my doc, and the experience was WONDERFUL. He was all excited about me wanting to be a doctor, and ended up writing me a LOR. what happened is that the nurse would ask the patient if the doc brought in a student (used the term "student" loosely) to observe. most patients said yes and had noooo issues whatsoever. i shadowed 5-6 hrs a week (one afternoon a week)for 5 mos. and it was the highlight of my week. i even got comfortable enough to wear i was going in before the doc and getting the patient history, symptoms, family history...etc... but i've had a LOT of clinical experience and didn't have to learn the terms as i went. the experience was so rewarding-- i wish i still had time to shadow!!

 

[Flack Pinku]

Is shadowing a Doctor in his practice, and going along with him to see him interact with patients, etc. considered Clinical Experience?

 

[Sweet Tea]

i think so. you're in a clinic, you're gaining medical experience...clinical experience!! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

seriously-- i do think it counts even if you're not doing anything but learning. i think you can learn more about how a doctor really lives by shadowing one than by doing clinical research and clinical research is definetly clinical experience. at least, that was true for me.

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Sweet Tea is right. Most doctors that I have encountered are very open to having a student shadow them, and most patients do not mind having a student in the room, as long as they look like they belong and are professional. Though a doctor might turn you down if you request to shadow them, I would be surprised if they were not apologetic about it. It is a good experience and can get you a good LOR.

 

[Engg to Doc]

The doctor I asked was 'my' doctor, I mean my family practitioner and he readily agreed with a lot of enthusiasm. He said I could be at his clinic for however long I wanted, as my classes permitted and what's more, he said that he would even try to get me some office space!
I have always had a good relationship with him, he explains things to his patients in great detail and remembers everything about you, no matter how infrequent your visits are - If that's what being a doctor is about, sign me up!
I don't exactly know what I'll be doing, but he told me that I will definitely get patient interaction. I am looking forward to it and will post my experience once I get started.

 

[MUN2005]

Anything that gets you communicating with patients wether it be volunteer work, shadowing, doing first aid etc etc can be called clinical experience, IMHO.