Does shadowing attendings count?

[Dwight K Schrute]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Does it?

 

[mellie0]

An attending is a fully licensed doctor so I don’t understand why it wouldn’t. If anything, this is who you should be aiming to shadow, as opposed to a resident or intern.

 

[HomeSkool]

Shadowing attendings is the whole point. Time spent shadowing interns and residents should not be counted since they lack many of the responsibilities of attendings.

 

[TypeADissection]

Seriously bro?

 

[3toedsloth]

Yes. You shadow attending physicians.

 

[Catalystik]

Shadowing attendings is the whole point. Time spent shadowing interns and residents should not be counted since they lack many of the responsibilities of attendings.

As an alternate opinion, I think it's fine to mention the shadowing of physicians in training on a med school application, but it definitely needs to be supplemented (in the same space) by observation of fully-trained docs in practice, as well.

 

[HomeSkool]

As an alternate opinion, I think it's fine to mention the shadowing of physicians in training on a med school application, but it definitely needs to be supplemented (in the same space) by observation of fully-trained docs in practice, as well.

Fair enough. For my own edification, what split of hours would you consider acceptable and what would raise red flags?

 

[3toedsloth]

Fair enough. For my own edification, what split of hours would you consider acceptable and what would raise red flags?

80% attending/20% fellow worked for me.

 

[HomeSkool]

80% attending/20% fellow worked for me.

The caveat, though, is that fellows are attendings.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[pewpew95]

The caveat, though, is that fellows are attendings.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

What if you're shadowing multiple fellows in a department, but you are also shadowing the director of that department? Would you just list the director's name or list every fellow's names as well?

 

[Catalystik]

Fair enough. For my own edification, what split of hours would you consider acceptable and what would raise red flags?

Personally, I'd like to see at least 40 hours of shadowing physicians in practice. And I would view fellows as physicians in training, as they are still sheltered from some of the realities of practice. JMO

 

[Catalystik]

What if you're shadowing multiple fellows in a department, but you are also shadowing the director of that department? Would you just list the director's name or list every fellow's names as well?

No need to list every fellow's name. You can refer to them as trainees in that attending's department.

 

[3toedsloth]

The caveat, though, is that fellows are attendings.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

Meh, kinda. Like super underpaid attendings who are not yet licensed in that area. So, more like residents imo. Gray zone.

 

[aldol16]

For pre-meds, I think shadowing attendings should be the goal. You don't need to shadow fellows or residents. But for medical students or if you're already accepted, you should definitely shadow some residents and fellows. That is the next stage in your career and it's no use if you love a field but can't stand 6 years of residency+fellowship in that discipline.

 

[LizzyM]

Do try to shadow docs not in academic medical centers as well as those who are. The doc in a community setting has a different situation than one who is in a major medical center with a entourage of fellows, residents and students.