Easiest way to shadow a doctor?

[doctorstudent6]

I have searched for threads already. Some are 404ed while others are lets say... a joke. Whats the best way to find a doctor to shadow in fields such as the ED and Orthopedic surgery?

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[Gigantron]

Just cold call/email every doc in that specialty within your area. I was able to shadow a Spine Surgeon over winter break as a result.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Very difficult but it depend on the geographic area. Your best bet is to call them and explain your interest in that field of medicine and that you would like to shadow them. 1 or 2 just may let you. Keep in mind you don't have to shadow the super specialists. Family practice, Peds and IM are great ways to get a good long look in to the field of medicine and they are often very open to having students come in. If you really want to shadow a surgeon try to find a general surgery practice and give them a call. They often have outpatient procedures and are more likely to find the time for you.

Other good specialist to try are ophthalmologists, neurologists and medical oncologists.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Just cold call/email every doc in that specialty within your area. I was able to shadow a Spine Surgeon over winter break as a result.

I'd prefer to email doctors but I can't find any emails. Where do you get them?

 

[doctorstudent6]

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Gigantron]

I'd prefer to email doctors but I can't find any emails. Where do you get them?

I emailed mainly private practice docs, so their emails would be right on their website (if they had one), otherwise I would use the Osteopathic mentoring website and email docs from there.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

Try to stay away from hospitals, because you'll most likely have to complete HIPAA training and a lot of restrictions will be imposed on what you can and can't do, or how long you'll be able to shadow, etc. Private practices are definitely best.