asking for shadowing

[adillon]

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i really need your guys' advice. I wanna email a bunch of doctors to ask for shadowing, but i dont know how to say, just say "hello, i 'm interested in medicine, can i follow you for a month?" type of thing? They'll need reply me. Please give me some examples on how to ask for this! thanks in advance!

 

[maestro1625]

honestly, that sounds fine... Just tell them a bunch of specifics on yourself, what college you go to, what major, gpa, where you are in terms of other preparations, ECs.

 

[booswim542]

Doctors are usually happy to let you do it, they've been premed student too! I have only had one doctor ever tell me "no"....

email them and like maestro said, let them know some things about you. Good luck!

 

[GujuMD]

I did the same...and had a wonderful shadowing experience.

Good luck!

 

[cubbbie]

just don't do a mass email. email them individually. and also, maybe don't say a month. probably just one or two days would suffice.

 

[inrevertias]

I tried this with no luck, unfortunately.

 

[leesh]

i really need your guys' advice. I wanna email a bunch of doctors to ask for shadowing, but i dont know how to say, just say "hello, i 'm interested in medicine, can i follow you for a month?" type of thing? They'll need reply me. Please give me some examples on how to ask for this! thanks in advance!

Hi OP, I've found that the most effective way is through networking, rather than simply shooting emails to strangers. Really assess: do I know someone who might know someone who knows Dr. ____? You get the idea. I was facing the same dilemma, and by chance and connection, it just fell into place effortlessly. I hope this helps; ask your family, friends. Good luck!🙂

 

[Natural Light]

Try to contact Dr.s that you have some info about. They should be very understanding and helpful. I've shadowed 3 physicians and they understood the process completely, just like booswim542 said. I had no preexisting relationships with any of the physicians that I shadowed. I would not email tons of Dr.s though, pick a few that you know something about and wait. It may take a few weeks for them to get back to you. When you do get a call back, just be cool but have some type of schedule in mind.

 

[kingtz]

i really need your guys' advice. I wanna email a bunch of doctors to ask for shadowing, but i dont know how to say, just say "hello, i 'm interested in medicine, can i follow you for a month?" type of thing? They'll need reply me. Please give me some examples on how to ask for this! thanks in advance!

A major hospital near me has a pretty extensive Volunteer Program. And part of this is a "Perceptor Program" where they pair you up with doctors. You might want to check with hospitals near you for such programs.

 

[adillon]

Thanks guys! really helpful
I will try as you guys said

 

[jsong812]

is it generally easier to find a shadowing opportunity in a private practice or large hospital?

 

[Stroganoff]

is it generally easier to find a shadowing opportunity in a private practice or large hospital?

Large hospital (like a teaching one). That said, I've only done rural shadowing in small town private practices (diagnostic rads and general surgery so far) but got that through networking. The thing with private practice docs is that a lot don't really care about the whole teaching thing. They did residency, and they're through, so leave them alone so they can go home or play golf.

The first 10 docs said no, but I got the radiology one on a whim and met the surgeon while she was chatting with the radiologist.

Don't let "rejection" keep you from trying, but definitely try to go to a large teaching hospital. There's simply more opportunities, more specialties available, more diverse pt population, more equipment and procedures, and they already do a lot of clinical teaching.

Don't give up!

Edit: Be prepared for a lot of cop-out excuses on HIPAA.

 

[StritchMD2011]

I found most of my shadowing experiences by networking. I participated in a summer research program and there were a few organized shadowing opportunities (like 3 for the whole summer), but I wasn't satisfied with such little experience. I talked to the PI of my lab and he introduced me to the university's transplant team. After that initial meeting, I basically just showed up every week to follow them around the hospital as they did rounds. I got to know some of the doctors, which led to further experiences, and so on.

The tough part is getting your foot in the door at an academic hospital, but once you do, as long as you can talk to physicians and sound eager, the chances present themselves.

 

[StritchMD2011]

I forgot to mention. If you find a physician who is very willing to let you shadow, try to milk them for all they're worth. One pediatric cardiologist I shadowed offered to let me come back whenever I wanted. Some doctors really like encouraging both pre-meds and med students and enjoy the opportunity to teach them in their early stages. He was a great guy - now I just have to find time out of my class schedule to shadow him some more.

 

[Enginerds]

KingTZ, what program is that that your are talking about? Contact info? I am also in the LA area looking for shadowing opportunity.

 

[FutureMD129]

I agree with cubbbie that a month isn't necessary to shadow a dr. I've done 6.5 hours with ER docs at two hospitals and tomorrow will be my first day shadowing in private practice. While a day or two is sufficient with any doc who will let me shadow him/her, finding a doc to shadow regularly could be a plus if I find a doc who is willing to let me shadow on a regular basis. Having regular shadow experience with a doc may serve for a good LOR.