Call or Mail

[Spiker]

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I want to get some shadowing experience, and since I dont have connection what so ever, not even a family doctor. I am just going to start contacting random doctors.

My questions is this: Should I call them ? or Send out snail mail?

If I call it is most likely going to be answered by a secretary.

If I mail it may actually get to the hand of the surgeon.

Which do you think would be better?

 

[DrMattOglesby]

just go to ur hospital...march around the nearby office buildings, go inside, show your smiling face, and ask if the doc minds having you around.

never heard the snail mail option being used before.

 

[Spiker]

I am pretty sure the hospital is one of those super private hospital that doesn't want you to shadow anyone lol. That is why I want to go straight to the Dr. Office

 

[DrMattOglesby]

oh yeah, that's what I meant. Usually the doc's offices are located right next to the hospital. I wasn't referring to any possible offices within the hospital.

what kind of practice are you thinking about shadowing? Surgery always sounded interesting to me, but I never got a chance to watch any performed. I wasn't a fan of the ICU because it was rare that we actually got to communicate with a patient--most of them were out cold.
I guess I liked the private practices more because of all the different people you end up seeing and talking with. But maybe I just haven't been around right areas during the right times in the hospital anyhoo...

 

[Spiker]

I really want to shadow surgeons as well, however I am not picky I just need to shadow someone! lol

 

[DrMattOglesby]

I really want to shadow surgeons as well, however I am not picky I just need to shadow someone! lol

haha yeah i've been in your shoes before 🙄
something a lot of us did was start volunteering at a hospital. Once we got the clearances and HIPAA forms signed, it allowed us to shadow docs in the hospital. It also helps initiate the request to shadow, cuz you just say you're already volunteering in the hospital, you have a badge and everything, including paperwork...the less work the doc has to do to get you going, the better your chances are of getting a shadowing opportunity.

 

[Spiker]

I already volunteered there and have all the badge and stuff but i am pretty sure they are still going to be pretty nasty about it.

 

[Spiker]

bump

 

[nick_carraway]

Walk in and ask to speak to the practice manager. Or call and be forceful and ask to speak to the practice manager. Snail mail will go straight into the trash in most cases.