Can't shadow at the VA?

[shockazulu]

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While volunteering at the VA today I spoke with my "supervisor" about shadowing. She said that the VA didn't allow pre-meds to shadow because the VA doesn't have the malpractice insurance to cover it. She did however offer to help find a D.O for me to shadow. She also mentioned that the VA only allows admitted med students to shadow. This is a** backwards, but its the VA so it seems likely. I was just wondering if anyone else has been able to shadow at another VA (Maybe its just this one).

 

[AlteredScale]

I know a few colleagues of mine who shadowed in the VA but very under the radar and under the veil of being a "current medical student". Basically anything done in the VA requires a TON of red tape and the government doesn't want to be reliable for anything that happens. Because med students are considered health professionals, they are covered by insurance for any type of mistakes...but pre medical students aren't.

Though I don't suggest asking to "sneak in", you could ask a physician who practices there to shadow them for the day and maybe then can work something out Just be careful because obviously your supervisor is aware now and if he/she sees you shadowing you may face repercussions.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

I know a few colleagues of mine who shadowed in the VA but very under the radar and under the veil of being a "current medical student". Basically anything done in the VA requires a TON of red tape and the government doesn't want to be reliable for anything that happens. Because med students are considered health professionals, they are covered by insurance for any type of mistakes...but pre medical students aren't.

Though I don't suggest asking to "sneak in", you could ask a physician who practices there to shadow them for the day and maybe then can work something out Just be careful because obviously your supervisor is aware now and if he/she sees you shadowing you may face repercussions.

Yeah, some places won't let you shadow.

I'm curious though, how can a pre-med screw up? I always just stood in the corner and kept my mouth shut.

 

[AM508]

I don't think it is so much malpractice insurance as it is liability in general. There is the risk that one shadowing could contract an illness, get injured, compromise patient confidentiality, all of which would result in the hospital system being liable. I know when I shadowed, it was at a private hospital/outpatient network and I had to go through all of the same steps as you would if you got hired. I had to get a physical and tb test, file an employee application, and go through a 500 slide powerpoint presentation about practice policies and OSHA and take a written exam before they would even let me through the door.

 

[CUNYguy]

I don't think it is so much malpractice insurance as it is liability in general. There is the risk that one shadowing could contract an illness, get injured, compromise patient confidentiality, all of which would result in the hospital system being liable. I know when I shadowed, it was at a private hospital/outpatient network and I had to go through all of the same steps as you would if you got hired. I had to get a physical and tb test, file an employee application, and go through a 500 slide powerpoint presentation about practice policies and OSHA and take a written exam before they would even let me through the door.

Likewise for me. There was a physical done, TB tests ran, at least 6 forms to fill out, fingerprinting, photos, and a magnetic ID so wherever you go, you could be tracked.

And I'd like to mimic alteredscale's point. Premeds are a liability because just in case you disrupt procedure/protocol, since you're not a worker there, the hospital will suffer some repercussions. Med students are there to shadow so they get their own letters and experience which will factor into their residency applications. But I'm site there's other hospitals in your area that would offer shadowingexperience

 

[AlteredScale]

Yeah, some places won't let you shadow.

I'm curious though, how can a pre-med screw up? I always just stood in the corner and kept my mouth shut.

Who knows. I did the same thing (I was too shocked to do much as I was shadowing in gastroenterology). It's just another overkill safety precaution.