ER shadowing as a HS student

[demh23]

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Hi

Do you think a physician would be open to the idea of a high school student shadowing him in the emergency department? I attended a summer course at a university where I was able to shadow a doctor in the ED for a day and I liked what I saw. Would it help if I let him know that I have an understanding of HIPAA and patient confidentiality rights because of my experience in the ER, or should I just wait until I'm in college?

 

[docB]

This has gotten more and more difficult to do in recent years. The fact that you understand HIPAA doesn't matter. What you need is some formal arrangement where you sign papers to that effect. If it's not in writing then it doesn't count.

The easiest way to do this usually is to become a volunteer at the hospital with the understanding that you'll be volunteering by shadowing an Emergency Physician.

 

[Shinobiz11]

You might have to wait until college,depending on the doctor/hospital. But I volunteer in the ER and I get plenty of doctor shadowing *except when they close the door* 🙂
But I see all the trauma cases and stuff, I agree with docB, just try to volunteering first, maybe get to know a doctor there.

Best of luck!

 

[NickNaylor]

If you exhibit professionalism and some level of medical knowledge (so that you aren't asking "what's that?" every 10 seconds) then I don't see why not. It's your maturity, not your numerical age, that will likely matter the most.