Difficulty Shadowing?

[j1989]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,

I'm currently trying to find multiple optometrists to shadow, and I've been successful with 3 of them. I've probably contacted at least 12 practices. Even though I've been able to shadow 3 doctors, they haven't really been responding to me coming in to shadow again. No one has said no to me, except a corporate practice that said they couldn't have shadowers because of HIPPA. But it's more that they just don't respond back. I've tried calling, E-mailing, coming in in person, but often I don't actually get to see/talk to the optometrist, instead I speak with the receptionist. I feel like because they don't talk directly to me, my request is often lost in the shuffle. I understand they are busy, but I really really want this experience and it is crucial for my application. Is anyone else having difficulty with this?

 

[oo0Archangel0oo]

Don't stress out too much about it. I went through the same exact thing. I managed to get 30+ hours shadowing in, but a lot of the optometrists assumed that I would only be shadowing once or twice. I guess they assume you'll want to shadow optometrists at a variety of practices to get a feel for how the diverse the optometry profession can be. Some of the optometrists I've shadowed actually told me that if I shadowed another time, I would just be seeing the same old stuff that I saw on my first day. One optometrist was nice enough to schedule me on a day when she had a diverse group of patients with different problems, such as pink eye and cataracts. Just ask around as much as you can and hopefully someone will take you in. 🙂

 

[j1989]

Thank you for responding, that is encouraging. I had talked to a representative from Pacific University over the phone and they recommended shadowing 4 optometrists multiple times in the hope of getting a good letter of recommendation. And I understand the advantage to that, and I will try, but like you said I think many optometrists expect that you will be shadowing once or twice. I will be persistent though, you never know what can happen unless you ask =)

 

[abcdefj]

If you feel like you're not quite getting through to the optometrists because the receptionists intercept, you could send them a letter with a CV/cover letter outlining your purpose and label it as "confidential".

Are you or any family members due for an eye exam? You could sneak in a request if you visit the doctors then!

 

[AnthonyC]

I have the same problem.

My yearly optometrist was on maternity leave when I called the receptionist, asking for an opportunity of job shadowing/volunteering.

Guess what the receptionist said? "Apply next year." I went and sent in my resume/CV to 4 other clinics here in Markham and they did not reply. It's been a tough journey for me too, trying to get this elusive optometrist volunteer position.

you know... one day, if I ever do get to open my own clinic, I will have this sign that says "Welcoming all perspective optometrists, inquire inside for details" sign because of this aversive experience.

 

[KHE]

I have the same problem.

My yearly optometrist was on maternity leave when I called the receptionist, asking for an opportunity of job shadowing/volunteering.

Guess what the receptionist said? "Apply next year." I went and sent in my resume/CV to 4 other clinics here in Markham and they did not reply. It's been a tough journey for me too, trying to get this elusive optometrist volunteer position.

you know... one day, if I ever do get to open my own clinic, I will have this sign that says "Welcoming all perspective optometrists, inquire inside for details" sign because of this aversive experience.

You're going about it the wrong way.

Don't expect to just send in a bunch of resumes and get a bunch of phone calls.

Your best way is to make an appointment with the doctor, preferably the first appointment of the morning and go in there and tell them you would like to have an opportunity to shadow. It's much harder to say no to a request like that in person.

 

[AnthonyC]

You're going about it the wrong way.

Don't expect to just send in a bunch of resumes and get a bunch of phone calls.

Your best way is to make an appointment with the doctor, preferably the first appointment of the morning and go in there and tell them you would like to have an opportunity to shadow. It's much harder to say no to a request like that in person.

I tried, but the receptionists are there to pretty much brush me off every time I call in to a clinic. One was actually rude enough to say "sorry, try applying next year."

Then there are these privacy barriers and apparently, the people here are very sensitive about someone observing their eye examination

 

[KHE]

Make an appointment for an exam and ask the doctor directly then.

 

[happymango]

Make an appointment for an exam and ask the doctor directly then.

Yep, exactly what I did. Then, when you're shadowing, while you're making small talk in between patients, mention that you're trying to just get in any kind of experience and maybe they'll hook you up with another optometrist to shadow.

 

[Eye4Eyes]

I completely understand your frustration. When I was shadowing, I had difficulty finding an optometrist who had the time to let me shadow. However, what I noticed was that young optometrists were really willing to let me shadow them. Definitely look into that since their mode of practice is most likely what you will end up doing down the line. Plus, you can get perspective on the benefits and challenges you will experience in the near future.
Like happymango said, an optometrist can link you to another for additional shadowing. In one of my shadowing experiences, the OD gave me reference info for eye-related volunteering experiences, state association members, and even a way to directly work for an optometric practice!

Good Luck!

 

[sbopt87]

Have you tried to find if there is charity clinics in town where you can volunteer? I did this for extra experience and they pretty much train you how to be a tech and got to work with several optometrist and ophthalmologist. Do you or any family or friends have an optometrist they regularly see? If so try emailing them

I have family or friend who visit your office and tell me of the good service you provide them. I would like to have the opportunity if possible to shadow you because I am interested in optometry school etc. etc.... If so, please let me know when is the best time I can come in. I look forward to shadowing you.

Most will give you a day to choose from to come in and meet them. And then once you do, just ask if you can continue to shadow them and what day and time works best for them. This is how i did it sort of.

I worked for an ophthalmologist and he introduced me to optometrist but I wanted to see others so, i looked up charities and then some how ended up on low vision specialist page and emailed them saying how I work with an ophthalmologist and would love to see how the two work together, especially since they both see a lot of macular degeneration patients. And she emailed me a day to to come in and gave me choices of when I could come. And she also worked with the charity clinic and asked if i could use her as my reference to apply as a volunteer so i was able to follow her there as well.

Don't be afraid to be shy.

 

[lonely1]

Have you tried to find if there is charity clinics in town where you can volunteer? I did this for extra experience and they pretty much train you how to be a tech and got to work with several optometrist and ophthalmologist. Do you or any family or friends have an optometrist they regularly see? If so try emailing them

I have family or friend who visit your office and tell me of the good service you provide them. I would like to have the opportunity if possible to shadow you because I am interested in optometry school etc. etc.... If so, please let me know when is the best time I can come in. I look forward to shadowing you.

Most will give you a day to choose from to come in and meet them. And then once you do, just ask if you can continue to shadow them and what day and time works best for them. This is how i did it sort of.

I worked for an ophthalmologist and he introduced me to optometrist but I wanted to see others so, i looked up charities and then some how ended up on low vision specialist page and emailed them saying how I work with an ophthalmologist and would love to see how the two work together, especially since they both see a lot of macular degeneration patients. And she emailed me a day to to come in and gave me choices of when I could come. And she also worked with the charity clinic and asked if i could use her as my reference to apply as a volunteer so i was able to follow her there as well.

Don't be afraid to be shy.

Hmmmm the thing is, although it is harder for optometrists to refuse in person if you ask if you can shadow, always on the back of my head is why they would want to help a stranger? For me, I see shadowing as something that hinders the optometrist and makes things a tiny bit more troublesome for them (introducing who i am and why im in the examining room as well etc.)

 

[Jason K]

Hmmmm the thing is, although it is harder for optometrists to refuse in person if you ask if you can shadow, always on the back of my head is why they would want to help a stranger? For me, I see shadowing as something that hinders the optometrist and makes things a tiny bit more troublesome for them (introducing who i am and why im in the examining room as well etc.)

Many ODs may be refusing observation visits because they don't want to be faced with the difficult questions that will certainly come during the visit. They don't want to be forced to either lie (to avoid bursting your bubble), or tell the truth (and risk appearing like someone who's unhappy with his/her profession).

Most patients are happy to have interns/students observe. I've never had a pateint say, "No, I'm not ok with that," when people want to obseve in the exam room. It's never happened. Just something to consider.

 

[sbopt87]

Well they will help most of the time b/c they have been in that position too. So why not help if you can, I never saw them struggling to fit in time to let me observe.

And I have shadowed and heard many optometrists burst bubbles and tell me about school and addition of new schools and how this program is only there to make money and the only way you will make money is to sell glasses and then there are some that tell you what they do like. The whole point of shadowing is to learn if you will like it or not, and that means All Aspects of It.

And all i am saying is just go out and try whether it be in person, email or making an appointment to see them. The worst they can say is no.

And I have never heard of a patient refusing to let me stand in, or it being that big of a deal to an optometrist. All they say is Hi, this is so and so and so/so will be observing me today do you mind? or you just introduce yourself real quick.

 

[meek5]

I've experienced similar troubles in finding ODs to shadow. What worked for me was to email as many optometrists as I could in my area and I slowly got responses. I probably received one or two response for every ten practices that I emailed. I tried calling but the message given to the receptionist was rarely passed on or they were just too busy. I'd say to not give up and it will take a lot of effort!

 

[lonely1]

I've experienced similar troubles in finding ODs to shadow. What worked for me was to email as many optometrists as I could in my area and I slowly got responses. I probably received one or two response for every ten practices that I emailed. I tried calling but the message given to the receptionist was rarely passed on or they were just too busy. I'd say to not give up and it will take a lot of effort!

Just a quick question, are you from Canada by any chance?

 

[meek5]

Just a quick question, are you from Canada by any chance?

No, I'm not from Canada. Sorry.

 

[wavelength360]

I read about how it's proper to send the optometrists a letter or your resume, but I have to disagree. Only do so if you mention in that letter about how you will call them soon. But for me, I shadowed quite a few optometrists by calling or e-mailing. I contacted a few commercial clinics, but either the receptionist was mean or they never call me back. I assumed most optometrists rather have you come in only once since it's either going to be similar on a daily basis or they don't want to create a busy environment for the patients, it depends on the type of specialty and settings.

 

[lonely1]

I read about how it's proper to send the optometrists a letter or your resume, but I have to disagree. Only do so if you mention in that letter about how you will call them soon. But for me, I shadowed quite a few optometrists by calling or e-mailing. I contacted a few commercial clinics, but either the receptionist was mean or they never call me back. I assumed most optometrists rather have you come in only once since it's either going to be similar on a daily basis or they don't want to create a busy environment for the patients, it depends on the type of specialty and settings.

so you emailed hte doctor's personal email right? not like the CLINIC's email (which would just go to the receptionist and go nowhere)