Approximately how long should you shadow

[Claritynow]

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I want to just do it for a few weeks while I am in NJ visiting the parents ad then when I get back home I wanted to do it a bit as well. Would that be sufficient? What do you guys reccomend?

 

[NKChemEng]

I think usually doctors will let you shadow for a week or two. I guess shadow as much as you can with different doctors, but I don't think it's ever long periods of time with any one specific person.

With shadowing I guess go for breadth rather than depth, in order to see the most variety that you can. But this is my opinion, and I bet there will be a lot of people saying otherwise (ie, to try to really immerse yourself in one field).

 

[Disinence2]

I am proud to be one of of the few students who did absolutely no shadowing before medical school.

Its more important that you simply expose yourself as much as possible to the medical community.

There's no hour requirement. I would just recommend spending a few days with doctors in different specialties.

 

[Soulstice]

It'd help to get a better idea here if any applicants/admits could give details about how much shadowing they did. (Total hours, hours/week, times/week, etc.) Little things like that, so that when I ask a doctor to shadow I have a good idea of what to ask for.

 

[flatearth22]

I second the breadth over depth thing.

Try something like 5 different docs ranging across the spectrum (eg - Family Practioner, Internal Med Specialist, Surgeon, Emergency Med Doc, Psychiatrist) at a day or 2 each. If you are looking to get a rec from the doc (ie - DO schools) maybe a week or so. Anything beyond that is overkill IMO.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I shadowed two docs, one for half a day and the other for two days. That was all I really needed. But I also work in a hospital. And I haven't been accepted yet, so don't take my word on it. 😀