Asking to shadow?

[vhinrich]

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So I'm looking for a physician I can shadow under. How do I do it? Since this morning I've been just cold calling doctor's offices and all of them said no. I just call and ask them if they're "accepting student volunteers". I've probably called 20 different offices and most of them said no. What approach did you guys take to get shadowing opportunity? I'm in Chicago suburbs and still find it difficult. Any suggestions? Help!! I really need some experience before this summer ends.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

So I'm looking for a physician I can shadow under. How do I do it? Since this morning I've been just cold calling doctor's offices and all of them said no. I just call and ask them if they're "accepting student volunteers". I've probably called 20 different offices and most of them said no. What approach did you guys take to get shadowing opportunity? I'm in Chicago suburbs and still find it difficult. Any suggestions? Help!! I really need some experience before this summer ends.

I started as a volunteer @ two hospitals, and asked the volunteer coordinator about suggestions for MDs to shadow at those hospitals. Had the most luck with an MD I met in my volunteer capacity.

Have you asked your primary care MD about shadowing them?

Maybe if you're looking at applying to one or more of the Chicago schools, you can call them to ask about shadowing?

Or you can call a hospital, get through to the division/floor you're looking for, and see if they have suggestions? I'd even suggest just going to the hospital, stopping by the nurse's station on the floor and asking them for suggestions on how to gain this experience. Worst they can say is no!

 

[tncekm]

I only had luck through networking. I knew people, who knew people, and I harassed them to bug the physicians they knew. Otherwise, I had absolutely zero luck. I prepared nice letters, dropped them off personally (and while dressed professionally), etc. Zip, zero, nada.

 

[Caesar]

So I'm looking for a physician I can shadow under. How do I do it? Since this morning I've been just cold calling doctor's offices and all of them said no. I just call and ask them if they're "accepting student volunteers". I've probably called 20 different offices and most of them said no. What approach did you guys take to get shadowing opportunity? I'm in Chicago suburbs and still find it difficult. Any suggestions? Help!! I really need some experience before this summer ends.

call the human resources department at a local hospital and explain that you are a pre-med student who wants to shadow a physician.If you are looking to shadow don't ask if they are looking for a volunteer. When you shadow you are NOT a volunteer. Always explain that you are a Student wanting to Shadow a Physician.

 

[Concordia]

Maybe you can ask your pre-med advisor? Or talk to someone working for the med school in your area? A friend of mine did that and he got a lot of support from the administration: a mentor, shadowing opportunities, etc. Good luck

 

[175961]

call the human resources department at a local hospital and explain that you are a pre-med student who wants to shadow a physician.If you are looking to shadow don't ask if they are looking for a volunteer. When you shadow you are NOT a volunteer. Always explain that you are a Student wanting to Shadow a Physician.

+1
saying "student volunteer" just sounds strange, to me it sounds like this "I want volunteer hours and I'm obnoxious and I will be there bugging you the whole time". Explain that you are student looking to go into medicine and you are wanting to shadow a physician. My first cold call to a doc went like that and he said "sure, come on over!" I guess I might have gotten lucky, it being the first call and all, but it worked out great.

 

[Charles English]

University of Chicago has their own shadowing program, you just need to apply to volunteer there first, then separately apply to the shadowing program... i just found out about it yesterday... hope it helps.

i know that's not exactly suburbs, i live on the north side myself...but it is a definite shadowing opportunity. something to think about

 

[MaryLennox]

University of Chicago has their own shadowing program, you just need to apply to volunteer there first, then separately apply to the shadowing program... i just found out about it yesterday... hope it helps.

i know that's not exactly suburbs, i live on the north side myself...but it is a definite shadowing opportunity. something to think about

that sounds extraordinarily helpful . . . and anyone can do it? (not just UC undergrads??) i am a student but not there. but i think i will apply to this program if i can! thanks for the info.

 

[Charles English]

no, you don't have to be a UofC student... the program is just affiliated with the school.. http://www.chicagoshadow.com/index.html try this and see what you think.

hope it helps.

 

[elitespart]

Is it better to ask a doctor in private practice or at a university?

 

[doctor712]

Depends what experience YOU want. Ultimately, try both.

One shouldn't be easier or harder to acquire as compared to the other.

If you want to be in a Docs private office in handsome medical building, from 9-6, seeing patients all day, as he/she is, then go for private practice. (I over generalize here).

If you want to be in the academic teaching setting of a university hospital (I over generalize here too) then call the Univ. You'll see more Med Students, Residents, Fellows wandering the halls, and see what the teaching side of medicine is about while you see patients and you might even get pimped as you stand next to residents. Watching your future in your eyes. This is what academic docs love: teaching. Which is what I love about it. You'll also may access to ORs you won't have in PP. (generalization again.)

I prefer the latter scenario for personal reasons. Having made the ask, I start in a Private/Teaching VERY prestigious and well known hospital both in US and Intlly on Monday. Anesthesia. I'm in the door through their observership program that is really limited to Med Students/Residents. I just asked to shadow, so I'm happy with however I gained access. In April, I will be at the local Univ Hospital/Med School taking a 2 week rotation in an Anesthesia subspecialty that is also normally limited to visiting medical students. But having sent a COLD email to the Dept Chair to shadow, he said he'd arrange it, and this is how it's going down. Both of these spots are really reserved for Med Students doing away and elective rotations, the "try out" rotations you take to get in with a residency spot. It was hard explaining myself to those that the Chair CC, but it happened. So, instead of making friends during med school to help with residency, maybe I'll make friends during pre-med to help with med school. 😀

It's all about timing, how you ask, a little background, etc etc.

Have a great turkey day everyone! Hope this helps this thread.

D712

 

[NTF]

The AOA has a mentoring program:

http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/mentor_search.htm

I filled out the form and doctors were emailing me within a couple days trying to set up shadow opportunities.

This method was by far the easiest way to get shadow time with physicians.

I also shadowed physicians at my job.

 

[Bacchus]

Also, your primary care physician is a great way to network. I shadowed my mom's PCP who works in the practice where I go. Technically she is my PCP too but I don't request a specific doctor when I go in. Start here and see if your PCP knows anyone that will let you shadow. This is a bit better than cold calling because you have someone asking that knows you.

 

[MilkmanAl]

call the human resources department at a local hospital and explain that you are a pre-med student who wants to shadow a physician.If you are looking to shadow don't ask if they are looking for a volunteer. When you shadow you are NOT a volunteer. Always explain that you are a Student wanting to Shadow a Physician.

That was my first thought when I read your post, OP. Maybe this is a good time for a life lesson: always say what you mean. Don't dick around with hints and hope the people you're talking to will catch your drift, especially when you're trying to do anything official.

 

[medhopeful1]

What exactly does this mentoring program entail? I went to the website but i am confused as to what goes on?

 

[rbaksi]

I just tried it and i believe the mentors there will be good not just for shadowing but for offering their experiences as well. Just to generally help you out with any med questions you have

 

[theacks1]

I went to the website of the local university hospital and e-mailed the chiefs of departments I was interested in, including my plans (medical school), what I want to do (shadow), and a little about myself. Of all the doctors I e-mailed, every one responded back with either "sorry, we already have shadows, but you can try again later" or "we'd love to have you." At that point, I e-mailed the hospital's volunteer department that I had agreed with Dr. XXXXX to shadow him. Since I was already connected with a physician, they accepted me even though they were already at capacity.

 

[kansaskid]

I shadowed my pediatrician from a few years ago. I just emailed her and since she's still serving as the doc for my little brothers, remembered me and said ok! Now I help babysit her kids every now and then and it's been very enlightening as to a physician lifestyle.
Good luck!

 

[DenaliView]

I would recommend calling you GP and asking if they have any recommendation of physicians that would not mind if you shadow. Many docs are very teaching oriented and do not mind having an extra person hanging around. Its just about finding the right one. Using you GP as a liaison for you will somewhat put in a good word for you and will also help you focus on talking to docs that will be a bit more receptive. Don’t be afraid to ask, most of the docs you are asking shadowed at some point too. And for all of us going through this process, let’s try to remember this later on when someone is asking us to shadow. We all got to start somewhere. Good Luck!!