Does it matter if I shadow a PA rather than a MD?

[gasbait]

So, while volunteering at a soup kitchen, I worked with this guy who turns out to be a Physician Assistant.

On our break, I told him about my interest in becoming a physician, and he graciously offered me the chance to shadow him to make my future application a little more desirable.

Question is, does medical schools care if I shadow a PA rather than a MD? If not, I think i've made my first connection

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[Barcu]

So, while volunteering at a soup kitchen, I worked with this guy who turns out to be a Physician Assistant.

On our break, I told him about my interest in becoming a physician, and he graciously offered me the chance to shadow him to make my future application a little more desirable.

Question is, does medical schools care if I shadow a PA rather than a MD? If not, I think i've made my first connection

Shouldn't matter too much. PAs do many of the same things physicians do, so it should still be useful. Most people recommend to shadow a number of physicians, so make sure you find some other MDs or DOs to shadow as well.

 

[michigangirl]

I think there are better ways to spend your time-- just realize it won't hurt OR help your application-- if you want to do it, do it for your own experience/edification-- not sure you'd want to put in your essays or on a resume that you shadowed a PA-- it's just not that impactful. Best to shadow a physician if you're applying to be a physician. If I were reading your application, I would see it as just another way of "padding" -- two cents from a residency and medical school interviewer.

 

[gasbait]

Ahh, okay!

Thanks Michigan

 

[Catalystik]

Shadowing a PA may lead to physician contacts once you get your foot in the door. I think it's fine to include PA shadowing on your list when you apply, to show you considered/have experience of other medical careers, but be sure to have physician shadowing too. Be prepared for the interview question of Why be a doc and not a PA?

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I agree with Catalystik.

I've never shadowed a PA but I have shadowed nurses, PTs, and other hospital workers. I included this on my application and it was important clinical experience to me. It really helped me understand why MD vs other medical specialties. I would go shadow that PA and maybe you will meet some docs to shadow too. 🙂

 

[C5toC9]

I think if you're still a few years away from applying, it would be cool. If you are applying soon, I would shadow an MD.

 

[Dr Ginger]

I'd say go for it. I shadowed a surgical PA and got to see all the behind the scenes work that goes into prepping a patient for surgery and all of the aftercare that the physician is not really involved in. I think if nothing more, shadowing a PA is a good way to get a better appreciation for all of the work your future coworkers will do for you. I think this will make you a better physician overall.

And of course, shadowing a PA basically means that you are shadowing the physician as well. If you shadow a PA and get the know the physician, you might be able to score more shadowing hours with him/her or even get a LOR.

Basically, take advantage of every single opportunity. you never know what kinds of connections you will make. As long as you shadow other physicians as well, putting PA shadowing on your resume could be very beneficial. It might catch the eye of adcoms and could be a potential conversation piece in interviews.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Yes, it matters. You should shadow a physician. Does that mean you shouldn't shadow a PA if the opportunity is there? Of course not. But don't expect to simply shadow a PA and go into interview and be able to answer the question "why a doctor" in a satisfactory way.

 

[NickNaylor]

Keep in mind you will be expected to know and understand what a PHYSICIAN does, not what a PA does. This experience will be fine for getting general clinical experience, but if your goal is to learn about being a physician it's not going to work so well.

 

[oar2386]

Remember PAs work for physicians. I would definately shadow him. Maybe the physician overseeing him will answer some questions or let you shadow him at a later date.

 

[STAT EKG]

Shadow a physician.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

There are two real 'points' in shadowing. The first is for your own personal knowledge; prior to committing your life to this career you should have a good idea of what you're getting into in terms of pros/cons, see how the practice of medicine by a physician really works, and to have some idea of the characteristics needed to be a good one.

The second is demonstrating to adcoms that you've gained a proper exposure to medicine such that you're not going to flame out at the first sign of adversity. Shadowing a PA isn't going to help you with #1, but with #2 it should help you obtain a broader perspective and appreciate different aspects of the field than you would just shadowing another private practice doc.

 

[LovelyBRass]

Shadowing a PA is okay, but they don't do much beyond taking blood pressures and identifying chief complaints. A PA will let you "do" more (take in a patient, take their temperature, etc) but they can't explain things well.

A story:
I was working in an out-patient clinic following around a PA this month (the doctor was off being busy). Anyone that came in with a cold/cough got their blood arterial oxygen level checked to make sure they were breathing enough to oxygenate their blood. If the reading was low, they received an inhaled dose of Xopenex. I asked the PA what it does and he said it "breaks up whatever's in there to help you breathe." I assumed it was an expectorant, until I saw the generic name - levalbuterol, which I knew must be a bronchodilator. So yes, it does work to help you breathe more easily.

In the end, did he really tell me the wrong thing? Well, no, he knows what it's used for, but in terms of being a good teacher... not so much. Does the doctor know what it does... absolutely.

 

[IHOPness]

PA's take blood pressures?