Areas to shadow?

[JoeKing]

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Hey I was wondering what types of Physicians I should make sure to shadow. I get that Primary Care should be a given, and I know that the default answer will be "whatever interests you." In what departments did you all enjoy shadowing the most? I have the opportunity shadow in various areas and was wondering what is a 'must see' area.
Thanks!

 

[TechToDoc]

I think pathology was really valuable because I had no idea how I would handle the dissection of a human body. Turns out, it's not a problem!

 

[JoeKing]

I would have never thought of that. Such a good idea!

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

(One of) outpatient FM/IM/Peds/OB/Gyn x a few days
Any surgical specialty x a few days (OR and clinic)
(One of) inpatient IM/Peds/CCU/SICU x a day or two
EM/Rads/Path if you're interested x a shift or two

Should give you a fairly good idea of the options without following the same guy around for 100 hours. That's what clerkships are for.

This guy knows what he's talking about:

http://premedcamel.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-find-doctor-to-shadow.html

 

[ruvuitton]

I've shadowed a cardiologist and she briefly took me down to the medical examiner room. I have to say, the experience in that room was surreal. Seeing organs on table, and examining the causes of the death. Maybe an medical examiner if you can get a position?

 

[Kal EI]

Hey I was wondering what types of Physicians I should make sure to shadow. I get that Primary Care should be a given, and I know that the default answer will be "whatever interests you." In what departments did you all enjoy shadowing the most? I have the opportunity shadow in various areas and was wondering what is a 'must see' area.
Thanks!

Shadow these

General IM or FM
EM
Surgery
IM subspecialty (Cards, GI, etc)

I wouldn't shadow with a pathologist/radiologist. I would look for clinical experience with patients. Those are the things adcoms like to hear about anyway.

Strategies to contact docs: Start with who you know. Then ask anyone affiliated with the medical school if they know any student friendly docs. Cold calling a doc is a bad idea. You want to be referred over.

 

[Strudel19]

Shadow these

General IM or FM
EM
Surgery
IM subspecialty (Cards, GI, etc)
.

I'd agree with this. That's exactly what I plan on doing.