advice about shadowing

[punkrockprinces]

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Hey everyone,
This summer I'm planning on shadowing a couple of doctors in the area (pediatricians). Any advice about how to make the most of my shadowing experience? For those of you who shadowed, how many times a week/month did you shadow a doctor? Thanks a lot and to everyone, have a early 4th of july!

 

[Emann8]

Don't be an annoying pre-med. I can't tell you how much doctors griped about some of the pre-meds that previously shadowed them to me (not like I'm the coolest or anything but if you want to shadow the doctor periodically and get an LOR...). Basically don't be a know-it-all flexing all your grandiose undergrad knowledge, respect everybody, and don't be pushy.

At the same time don't be passive either and be ready to jump in if asked ie. if you're shadowing a surgeon be prepared to scrub in and get close if the doctor wants you too, usually they will. As far as how much to shadow that depends on the doctor. A surgeon I used to shadow loved it when I came around Thursdays. Other surgeons I was involved w/ while doing an OR internship weren't as accomadating just throw it out to the doctor 'hey I love being around the field and feel I'm learning a lot w/ you bla bla bla... you think I can come around once in awhile,' wait and see what he says. Older doctors tend to like young pre-meds being around, the younger ones on the other hand tend not to.

Have fun and don't worry too much about the textbook aspect of everything when you're there, that's what school is for, but get to know the doctors inside and outside of medicine, and how the doctors interact w/ their patients and staff. Have fun, it was a great experience for me I know it will be for you too.😉

 

[Sweet Tea]

Ditto what Emann said.

Also, ask questions! Questions are good!! Don't ask questions in that annoying way that the person who sits in the front of the class and asks the professor questions just to show off how smart they are-- ask questions about patients, or treatment, or things they look for, or why they chose the particular field they're in, or questions about how being a pediatrician (or whatever) impacts their lifestyle, or why they went into medicince, or what they like best/least about their profession...I'm sure you can think of more. All the docs I shadowed LOVE these kind of questions, and it will help you get to know them and help them get to know you, which can only help you come LOR time. AND it'll give you a good idea of what it's like to live as a physician.

Don't be annoying, but be inquisitive. And have fun! I shadowed one day a week for 6 months, and I absolutely loved it. By the end of my shadowing experience, the doc was treating me like one of the med students he trains and having me go in and get the history/symptoms before he did. Great experience. Have fun!!

 

[Mutterkuchen]

I shadowed for about 6 months, one day per week, too. I was inquisitive and the doc was very helpful. She even began to pimp me! Sure is was simple, procedural things that she had gone though, but it felt both weird and cool to be pimped.

In all it was a terrific experience, and I found everyone involved to be extremely helpful. Just don't get in the way, be respectful of the docs and patients, and ask relevant quesitons along the way.

If your doc treats you like he doesn't want you there, find another one. Lots of people want to help.

 

[2badr]

You guys have just made me really nervous... (I will be shadowing - hopefully- our FP for the two summers before I apply to med school.)

 

[medboy]

How exactly can one get started with shadowing? I mean, is it as easy as calling up some random doctors and asking them if it would be alright to follow them around? or did you guys have connections?

I really would like to get some clinical exposure (especially in peds or surgery)... Please give me some advice on how to get started.

Thank you.

 

[Emann8]

2badr just relax bro, although the 1st time shadowing was a little unnerving for me I can guarantee you have nothing to worry about. Your only job is to observe, after that be liked. It's not like your 1st day of research or anything.

Medboy my 1st shadowing experience I came by after a physics exam. I went to a burrito est. across the street from my fraternity house looking like an absolute train wreck. The guy across the counter asked what happened to me, I just said I'm a pre-med does that answer your question. He thought that was pretty funny and told me he his father was a general surgeon and if I wanted he'd set up a date for me to shadow him just like that. I was look wow, an hour or two ago my life was like $hit trying to remember electromagnetism and bam I get a free oppurtunity.

So I had a connection my 1st time around, I also shadowed doctors through an internship as well. If you don't have 'connections' or anything just call around you'll definitely find somebody who will say yes. You can also try volunteering/working in an ER or OR and work your way from there. Good luck.

 

[punkrockprinces]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Wow, I didn't know that doctors would let you shadow for such a long period of time. Are most physicians really willing to let you follow them for 6 months?

Also to medboy,
I knew a first year med student and just asked her if she knew any physicians who would be willing to have students shadow them. All I did was e-mail them about my interest and they were all very open to letting me shadow them. If you don't know any connections, seriously just e-mail some doctors (if you go to college with a medical school nearby). Just tell them that you want to gain some insight about medicine and I'm sure most of them would gladly let you shadow them. Hope that helps!

 

[kate88]

Does your school have a prehealth advisor? I shadowed a family practice physician for 5 months, twice a week my last semester of college. My prehealth advisor had a list of physicians willing to work with undergrads--all I had to do was call him up! A friend of mine at school shadowed at a dentists office and actually got paid for it (nice perk, i have no idea how he pulled that off!)

my experience with him was awesome. I sat in on patient visits and helped with assessments mostly, but I also was able to go to meetings and to nursing homes where he works. I think that the most valuable thing you can get out of shadowing a doctor is seeing the "reality" of practicing medicine nowadays. As premeds we get this grand idea in our heads about how perfect life is as a physician, and we forget about a lot of the challenges out there. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to witness these problems for the first time in such a positive environment--its not so scary anymore.

Good luck!🙂

 

[All-Star14]

It's probably easier to shadow if your undergrad is near a medical school. At my school, we have a program that many pre-meds enter (usually during their second semester of freshman year). During that semester, you would only have contact with patients and the nursing staff. After completing this step in the program, you have the option of either repeating it during your sophomore year (in a different unit or same unit) or waiting until your junior year to shadow a physician (I guess it is assumed that the student will pursue other volunteering opportunities in between patient care and shadowing--I tutored elementary school children and will shadow a physician in the fall).

 

[MeowMix]

To add: Dress business professional (clean, neat, conservative, with no armpits, no cleavage, no underwear, no bra straps, no bare belly visible, may need to remove tongue/nose/eyebrow jewelery, no perfume, etc.), comfortable shoes, show up on time, turn off or leave behind your cell phone, be prepared with a snack or something in your bag in case you don't really get a lunch break. Call the day before your first appt to confirm that they know you are coming.

If you are observing surgery or major wound cleaning for the first time (even minor surgery), do not hesitate to step out when you start to feel dizzy or nauseous. Go back in when you feel OK again. It will get better each time during the day. Try to avoid throwing up in the room or passing out on the floor. It is much better to "step outside for a moment". They will usually advise you to do so; they will appreciate your consideration. Someone will probably notice your reaction; don't be embarrassed.

 

[phdmed07]

I shadowed a physician int the pediatric ER. I am interested in peds and ER so I thought it was a perfect fit. I shadowed once a week for about 6 months. He gave me a pair of scrubs and his schedule and he told me I can show up whenever. So nights that I didnt have much to do, Id show up in the ER and wait with him for patients. He would let me see all his patients with him and he would tell the patients or parents that I was a medical student. I learned alot by watching him take histories, prescribe meds, and review xrays. He would even go over the xrays with me....which is a little intimidating if you havent had gross which I hadnt. Overall it was a great experience and a got a really good rec out of it too. My advice to anyone shadowing is just be yourself and shadow a doc that you have an interest in their field.

Soon to be an M1 at ECU Med '07