Does which type of physician I shadow matter?

[RNtoMD87]

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I currently have the ability to study cardiologists, a GI doc, a bariatric surgeon, and a pulmonologist.

Other than just shadowing whoever I'm interested in, does it matter who I go with?

 

[chaim123]

I currently have the ability to study cardiologists, a GI doc, a bariatric surgeon, and a pulmonologist.

Other than just shadowing whoever I'm interested in, does it matter who I go with?

I had a few people ask why I didn't shadow any primary care. So try to get some of that if you can. Otherwise no

 

[Catalystik]

I currently have the ability to study cardiologists, a GI doc, a bariatric surgeon, and a pulmonologist.

Other than just shadowing whoever I'm interested in, does it matter who I go with?

Any of the above are fine to shadow, but ideally, you'd also include a primary care physician who provides longitudinal care as well.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

No

 

[gyngyn]

When there is a preference, it is for primary care.

 

[RNtoMD87]

I'm just curious, what is so special about primary care out of all specialties? Why is it the ONE specialty they really love you to shadow?

 

[GregPikitis]

I'm just curious, what is so special about primary care out of all specialties? Why is it the ONE specialty they really love you to shadow?

Primary care isn't one specialty. It includes Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine.

 

[zanzizic]

No

 

[gyngyn]

Primary care isn't one specialty. It includes Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine.

And outpatient psych and ob-gyn.

 

[gyngyn]

I'm just curious, what is so special about primary care out of all specialties? Why is it the ONE specialty they really love you to shadow?

We want you to know what outpatient longitudinal care is. As above, many specialties may serve in this capacity.
It is a sure way to understand the meaning of a doctor/patient relationship.

 

[zanzizic]

I'm just curious, what is so special about primary care out of all specialties? Why is it the ONE specialty they really love you to shadow?

Primary care is necessary and underrepresented. Medical schools have been trying to get more students to choose primary care for decades. Primary care physicians who are medical educators are going to be VERY interested in applicants who profess a desire to go into primary care. I wouldn’t go into an interview talking about wanting to be a cosmetic plastic surgeon.

But the type of physician you shadow shouldn’t make much difference.

 

[ellia]

Primary care isn't one specialty. It includes Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine.

Since a doctor that is board certified in family med, pediatrics, internal med, or obgyn can be a primary care doc is it important to indicate that they were a primary care physician if we shadowed these types of doctors? @Catalystik @gyngyn

I'm aware these specialities can choose to run their practices in different ways so it may not be totally obvious. I think the doctor I saw when I was in urgent care was a family med doc...

 

[gyngyn]

Since a doctor that is board certified in family med, pediatrics, internal med, or obgyn can be a primary care doc is it important to indicate that they were a primary care physician? @Catalystik @gyngyn

It can be a part of the description in the activities section.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Primary care is necessary and underrepresented. Medical schools have been trying to get more students to choose primary care for decades. Primary care physicians who are medical educators are going to be VERY interested in applicants who profess a desire to go into primary care. I wouldn’t go into an interview talking about wanting to be a cosmetic plastic surgeon.

But the type of physician you shadow shouldn’t make much difference.

I have had so many physician friends of mine tell me "Don't go GP. It isn't worth it. Specialize or choose another career". I would like being able to live on my farm and own my own office nearby, as long as I can keep myself intellectually challenged over a lifetime. Specialties like surgery interest me much in the depth of subject matter, but I worry about family life.