Can't wait to shadow!

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I have a feeling shadowing is going to be epic in its revealing to me just how much medicine is for me....there's just something about the healthcare environment, and the hospital/clinical environment specifically, that just makes me feel like a legendary epic big deal. As I've mentioned in other threads, for some reason that feeling also reminds me of major holidays (I believe because of the patriotic feelings involved, but I could be wrong). Does imagining oneself as a doctor make any strong patriotic feelings surface in anyone else?

Also - shadowing.... Any thoughts or advice beforehand going into it?

 

[darkjedi]

I have a feeling shadowing is going to be epic in its revealing to me just how much medicine is for me....there's just something about the healthcare environment, and the hospital/clinical environment specifically, that just makes me feel like a legendary epic big deal. As I've mentioned in other threads, for some reason that feeling also reminds me of major holidays (I believe because of the patriotic feelings involved, but I could be wrong). Does imagining oneself as a doctor make any strong patriotic feelings surface in anyone else?

Also - shadowing.... Any thoughts or advice beforehand going into it?

Shadowing is indeed a great thing to do when you're starting to get interested in medicine. Just remember to keep an open mind, and to stay humble and polite. You still don't know jack and don't pretend that you do.

 

[TheGloaming]

I have a feeling shadowing is going to be epic in its revealing to me just how much medicine is for me....there's just something about the healthcare environment, and the hospital/clinical environment specifically, that just makes me feel like a legendary epic big deal. As I've mentioned in other threads, for some reason that feeling also reminds me of major holidays (I believe because of the patriotic feelings involved, but I could be wrong). Does imagining oneself as a doctor make any strong patriotic feelings surface in anyone else?

Also - shadowing.... Any thoughts or advice beforehand going into it?

Yeah, but that's only because I shadowed Uncle Sam. He was alright but kept urging me to stay away from medicine and join the military, kind of annoying.

 

[Bangersandmash]

I have a feeling shadowing is going to be epic in its revealing to me just how much medicine is for me....there's just something about the healthcare environment, and the hospital/clinical environment specifically, that just makes me feel like a legendary epic big deal. As I've mentioned in other threads, for some reason that feeling also reminds me of major holidays (I believe because of the patriotic feelings involved, but I could be wrong). Does imagining oneself as a doctor make any strong patriotic feelings surface in anyone else?

Also - shadowing.... Any thoughts or advice beforehand going into it?

Lower your expectations

It's good that you are looking forward to it, but it almost depends on the physician your shadowing as much as it does you. Ask good questions related to the patients/conditions they see and what their life is like as a doctor. Show an interest in learning IF they teach you (and some won't teach you too much). Definitely try and continue the same shadow experience and interact with patients as much as possible (mainly talking if left alone in a room or hallway).

 

[cheechootrain]

Be aware of everything around you! I remember one time when I shadowed an ER doc, there was a train of nurses and paramedics walking briskly down the halls and I happened to be standing in the middle, like a bafoon, and I felt a bit embarrassed. Luckily, the patient didn't die because I blocked the way.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

If you're in surgery: you're either always in someones way, or you're too close to anything sterilized (that table has some jargonny name that I don't remember...). Just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[dsoz]

I had some really great experiences shadowing a FM doc. I spent close to 200 hours over 18 months. I assisted in some procedures... OK, I cut sutures and I mopped up blood with a sterile 2x2.

Towards the end he was showing me how to take vitals (BP, HR, heart/lung sounds, etc.) and write up an H&P. The last few days he told me to go into the patient room first (while he was tying up some things with the previous patient) and start the H&P. Then he had me report to him when he came into the room. I even detected a heart murmur on a couple of patients that he did not know about (or at least did not have written in his records).

But at the beginning of my shadowing, I was just that. A SHADOW. I did not speak unless spoken to. I did not do anything in the patient rooms except ask the doc where he wanted me to stand. It was not until about the 3rd or 4th time in his office that he asked me to wash up before the physical exam and then he started having me "here, feel these cervical lymph nodes" or "take a look at these hemorrhoids" or "help me hold this guys junk out of the way so I can use liquid nitrogen to freeze these warts off his ...." The only thing that I have not experienced up close and personal yet is a pelvic exam. I am not looking forward to that day.

Really, it is not EPIC like you think. It is a long day of standing around watching someone else work. It is just about as boring as it gets. Now quit humming patriotic music and get back to work.

dsoz

 

[Osteoth]

Honestly, shadowing was probably my favorite pre-med EC because it showed me what the real lifestyle of a physician is, and allowed me to keep my main goal is mind even through all the hoops pre-meds are required to jump through. It kept, and keeps, my drive and passion alive.

 

[Geebeejay]

Try to stay out of the way if you are in the ED or OR. You'll only feel like an chump. And don't walk around with your hands behind your back, because other people will think you're a chump.

 

[theWhat]

I had some really great experiences shadowing a FM doc. I spent close to 200 hours over 18 months. I assisted in some procedures... OK, I cut sutures and I mopped up blood with a sterile 2x2.

Towards the end he was showing me how to take vitals (BP, HR, heart/lung sounds, etc.) and write up an H&P. The last few days he told me to go into the patient room first (while he was tying up some things with the previous patient) and start the H&P. Then he had me report to him when he came into the room. I even detected a heart murmur on a couple of patients that he did not know about (or at least did not have written in his records).

But at the beginning of my shadowing, I was just that. A SHADOW. I did not speak unless spoken to. I did not do anything in the patient rooms except ask the doc where he wanted me to stand. It was not until about the 3rd or 4th time in his office that he asked me to wash up before the physical exam and then he started having me "here, feel these cervical lymph nodes" or "take a look at these hemorrhoids" or "help me hold this guys junk out of the way so I can use liquid nitrogen to freeze these warts off his ...." The only thing that I have not experienced up close and personal yet is a pelvic exam. I am not looking forward to that day.

Really, it is not EPIC like you think. It is a long day of standing around watching someone else work. It is just about as boring as it gets. Now quit humming patriotic music and get back to work.

dsoz

Wow, talk about some awesome hands on experience. I wish more pre meds had that kind of opportunity. Where is this doctor? 😉

 

[487806]

Be aware of everything around you! I remember one time when I shadowed an ER doc, there was a train of nurses and paramedics walking briskly down the halls and I happened to be standing in the middle, like a bafoon, and I felt a bit embarrassed. Luckily, the patient didn't die because I blocked the way.

Another train pun! A train of nurses you saw when you shadowed, while hoping that shadowing will train you for the future! Well done.

 

[noworkhistory]

Finally got a hold of the HR department at both my local hospitals, and they said that they don't do shadowing. No, it wasn't that all the positions are full. It was that they don't offer shadowing opportunities. Is this common?

 

[mehc012]

Finally got a hold of the HR department at both my local hospitals, and they said that they don't do shadowing. No, it wasn't that all the positions are full. It was that they don't offer shadowing opportunities. Is this common?

Does it matter? Work with what you've got...and you don't got local hospital shadowing 😉

Try contacting a bunch of local docs instead; they'll be less likely to have a blanket policy in place. Hospitals have to worry about being sued over patient confidentiality. Other docs do too, but they're more likely to take it on a case-by-case basis.

 

[Praefectus]

Another train pun! A train of nurses you saw when you shadowed, while hoping that shadowing will train you for the future! Well done.

OP, it's not as glamorous as it sounds. The only skill you'll master when you shadow is quietly standing in a corner. Nevertheless, observe as much as you can and take note of the doctor's workload. This is one activity that helps you figure out if medicine is right for you.

 

[circulus vitios]

Finally got a hold of the HR department at both my local hospitals, and they said that they don't do shadowing. No, it wasn't that all the positions are full. It was that they don't offer shadowing opportunities. Is this common?

HR is generally filled with subhuman *****s. Call the department of medical education, they might be able to pull some strings.