Contacting Doctors for Volunteering and Shadowing Opportunites

[elsenor]

The pre-med committee advised me that it's better to volunteer/shadow at small private clinics instead of huge hospitals because I will be able to do more things at private clinics.

My question is how do I contact these private clinics and ask them if I can volunteer/shadow there? Do I just call a doctor's office and speak to the person who picks up the phone? I would really appreciate some advice. If you have had any personal experiences please share them with me.

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[InsertMemberNameHere]

Hello elsenor. I'll give you some tips and advice from my personal experience.

Yes, calling offices work just fine. Just politely ask if any of the doctors in the clinic allow pre-med students to shadow them.

Don't be afraid or intimidated to ask a doctor if you can shadow them. Most of them were once in your shoes, too. Just be polite, courteous, and professional when you ask. If a doctor says no, then just thank them for their time and try and find another doctor that would be willing to let you observe them.

When shadowing a physician, dress and act professionally, and try and gauge their style so that you aren't annoying; some doctors encourage you to ask many questions and others prefer if you just observe them and ask other staff questions if you have any. Doctors are busy people, and you don’t want to be a burden whilst they are practicing. Each doctor has their own set of rules and policies for shadow-ees, so be sure and ask what those are and respect them. Just like asking them to let you shadow, being polite, courteous, and professional is key.

Once you are finally able to shadow a doctor a couple of times and feel as if you've gotten about as much as you can from the experience, thank them and don't be afraid to ask that doctor of they know of any colleagues that will let you shadow them, too. This will help you get your “foot in the door” for another shadowing experience, so to speak. A doctor is much more likely to get you into good contact with another physician than you are on your own.

Hope that helps a little. Here are some good links, too:

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/
https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/experience/280582/shadow-doctor.html

Thanks. 🙂

 

[elsenor]

I appreciate your advice InsertMemberNameHere. My biggest fear is actually calling the office and talking to the receptionist. I would be more comfortable talking to the doctor instead since it's up to them to decide if they want to let me shadow them. However, receptionists might not know much about the doctor's interests.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I appreciate your advice InsertMemberNameHere. My biggest fear is actually calling the office and talking to the receptionist. I would be more comfortable talking to the doctor instead since it's up to them to decide if they want to let me shadow them. However, receptionists might not know much about the doctor's interests.

Unfortunately, the doctor is most likely going to be too busy to speak with you directly if this is your first call. What I've done successfully in the past is tell the receptionist you are a student at XYZ university with an interest in medicine and you were wondering if you would be able to meet briefly with Dr. ABC to discuss the possibility of shadowing him/her in the clinic. Then you'll have the opportunity to speak to the doctor personally and see if you can set something up. I would highly recommend this method because if the clinic/whatever isn't historically receptive to having shadowing students, the receptionist will probably know that and let you know, and if they either are receptive or haven't had a request like this in the past, the doctor will either allow you to shadow him/her or will refer you to a colleague who might be able to help you more.

Good luck!

 

[G_Marker]

See if your school has any alumni connections to physicians. Do you know any doctors? Do you have any friends who know any doctors? Connections are the easiest way to shadow a doctor.

A physician won't have time to talk to you during the day, so it's best just to ask the receptionist over the phone whether the office is receptive to having students shadow physicians. If you're cold calling, it might take a lot of calls to find an office receptive to premeds (like in the range of 30 calls).

Email is also an option, but keep it brief.

 

[Catalystik]

Did you consider asking your own physician to let you shadow over the winter break? Someone with whom you already have a connection will find it harder to say, "No." You might also try your parents' docs or physician parents of friends. Or professionals you meet in the course of volunteering at hospice, skilled-level nursing homes, inpatient Alzheimer's units, surgicenter, rehab facility, etc (if hospitals are too difficult to get into). Once you have one doctor agreeing to help you out, they might refer you on to others they know for a broader experience.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I appreciate your advice InsertMemberNameHere. My biggest fear is actually calling the office and talking to the receptionist. I would be more comfortable talking to the doctor instead since it's up to them to decide if they want to let me shadow them. However, receptionists might not know much about the doctor's interests.

I wouldn't let this worry you. When I went to set up shadowing, I actually physically went to the front desk and asked the receptionist about it (just because I happened to be in the area, I'm sure calling would be fine too.) Anyways, the receptionist was very friendly and told me who I should contact to set up the shadowing. I should note that I was setting up shadowing for a podiatrist in a clinic, but I don't think it would be much different setting up a shadow with an MD/DO.

I also doubt the receptionist in any situation is going to set up the job shadow for you, that usually resides more with management and the doctor, so I wouldn't worry about interfering with the doctor's interests. If the office (including the doctor) says yes and gives you a date and time, you're fine.

Did you consider asking your own physician to let you shadow over the winter break? Someone with whom you already have a connection will find it harder to say, "No." You might also try your parents' docs or physician parents of friends. Or professionals you meet in the course of volunteering at hospice, skilled-level nursing homes, inpatient Alzheimer's units, surgicenter, rehab facility, etc (if hospitals are too difficult to get into). Once you have one doctor agreeing to help you out, they might refer you on to others they know for a broader experience.

I also found @Catalystik 's statement to be 100% true when I shadowed MD/DO docs. I started out shadowing my PCP (and family friend) over spring break last year for a couple days. He then helped me set up shadowing with a different PCP, a GI doc, two general surgeons, two cardiologists, and an OB/GYN doc over the next summer.

 

[Catalystik]

When I went to set up shadowing, I actually physically went to the front desk and asked the receptionist about it (just because I happened to be in the area, . . . Anyways, the receptionist was very friendly and told me who I should contact to set up the shadowing.

I think this is a good approach, as the receptionist can then vouch for you: that you look well-groomed, acted maturely, seemed friendly, and won't reflect negatively on the practice.

 

[elsenor]

Unfortunately, my parents don't know any doctors so I can't just use connections to get hold of shadowing opportunities.

 

[sithmoo]

Lol I remember one shadowing experience I had with a pathologist 😀 I initially contacted them by email about working there as a lab assistant. In retrospect it was kind of funny. The cover letter I sent is below.
A histology tech from their organization did call me about a week later and ask if I wanted to shadow and learn more about the company. Really nice guy.

To Whom It May Concern: (<- I really need to stop using that)

As a student interested in a career in medicine, I could be an asset to your organization. I am currently taking courses at [community college] in preparation for medical school. I would very much like to learn more about pathology--it might be a specialty particularly suited for me, since I have a particular interest in chemistry and cell biology.
I have no work experience in laboratories, unfortunately. However, what I can bring to the table is academic lab experience (about 5 courses), enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic. I have some research experience of a different sort--while attending [undergrad institution] for my BA in Classical Languages, I worked in the [research library], where I helped analyze ancient documents from Egypt.
Even if you are unable to offer a paid position, I would be interest in helping out in any capacity--a volunteer internship, for example. I have free time on most weekday afternoons to come in, and nights/weekends are possible (with a little schedule shifting).
I have attached a copy of my resume, and I do appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely
[sithmoo!]

I don't know if that helps. But asking about volunteering, interning...it leads to the same place!

 

[sithmoo]

To Whom It May Concern: (<- I really need to stop using that)

As a student interested in a career in medicine, I could be an asset to your organization. I am currently taking courses at [community college] in preparation for medical school. I would very much like to learn more about pathology--it might be a specialty particularly suited for me, since I have a particular interest in chemistry and cell biology.
I have no work experience in laboratories, unfortunately. However, what I can bring to the table is academic lab experience (about 5 courses), enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic. I have some research experience of a different sort--while attending [undergrad institution] for my BA in Classical Languages, I worked in the [research library], where I helped analyze ancient documents from Egypt.
Even if you are unable to offer a paid position, I would be interest in helping out in any capacity--a volunteer internship, for example. I have free time on most weekday afternoons to come in, and nights/weekends are possible (with a little schedule shifting).
I have attached a copy of my resume, and I do appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely
[sithmoo!]

PS my cover letters are historically terrible. don't make fun of me.