Finding a physician to shadow

[bumblebee20]

So I have contacted free clinics in my area and some of them said no to shadowing. Still waiting for responses. I also contacted my own physicians and they are busy training new doctors in their hospital. I was looking at other threads on how to find a physician to shadow and one of them gave me an idea to search doctors on local hospital websites for their emails. I did and I only found contact numbers. I heard that calling them directly is not a good idea. What should I do? Any other ways to find a doctor to shadow?

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[sullen-burger]

The phone numbers might not be their personal phones, so more likely than not you could record your message or someone in that office will pick up and direct your call or take a message.


There are lots of good ways to get in touch to shadow a doc. Phone, email, connections, in person with your personal doctor. Ask friends or family members about their docs etc.
Just remember each method will require persistence.

 

[aformerstudent]

Do you live in a rural or big town? Talk to your premed office and they can tell you if any observership programs are being offered for the summer. That's how I found an amazing four-week program that allowed me to scrub into surgery. Personally, cold-calling is a waste and even if you do find a doctor, the experience will most probably be very limited. Stick to finding a program offered by a hospital or through a school; you will get to see so much more.