First day DO shadowing, what should I bring/know?

[xoxo111]

Hi everyone,

So I've a DO shadowing set up this week, and I was wondering what to expect? She said that I should adhere to her 'rules', not sure what they are so I'm guessing she'll tell me about those on my first day lol. Anyways, what are some dos & donts? Also, when should I ask for that recommendation letter?

I look forward to your replies, thank you!

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[xoxo111]

Hi everyone,

So I've a DO shadowing set up this week, and I was wondering what to expect? She said that I should adhere to her 'rules', not sure what they are so I'm guessing she'll tell me about those on my first day lol. Anyways, what are some dos & donts? Also, when should I ask for that recommendation letter?

I look forward to your replies, thank you!

Also should I bring in a resume? (even though it would be empty lol)

 

[Garurumon]

When I shadowed, I liked to bring a notebook so I could write down whatever answers or insights a physician had. That might come in handy when it comes time to apply and you want to show what you've been exposed to in the medical field. Bring warm clothes since clinics and hospitals can get chilly. During patient interactions, the physician would usually introduce you as an observing student and usually patients are cool with that, but be prepared if they say otherwise and you have to step away. Patient confidentiality and privacy is a big deal. I would ask for the letter after you build a good relationship with the physician and stay in touch with him/her so you can follow up with a thank you note and a request. Mainly come in with your compliance with the rules and curiosity! This is the time to ask questions. You can ask "why DO?" "why this specialty?" "what do you like and dislike about what you're doing now?", and so on. This is also a good time to get a feel for the kind of people and environment you're considering working with. Have fun shadowing!

 

[Garurumon]

Other things on my mind that came up: If you're shadowing in OR, you'll be asked to change into scrubs, maybe put on a cap and mask. The hospital will provide these. If you're in the ED, or in any work area close to patient rooms, you might get approached by a patient or their family asking for food, water, blankets, when test results will come back, etc. Just tell them you'll let the nurse know. You're only observing, and it's not your responsibility to provide patient care. Wear closed-toe shoes no matter where you're at. Wheelchairs and gurneys run amok; the floors are a microbiologist's nightmare. Don't take pictures or record anything on your phone. Eat and drink in designated areas like the cafeteria or staff lounge. Hospitals get anal about food around patient care areas. Obviously don't talk to the point that you're pestering the physician. Be respectful of their time and talk to them when you see they aren't busy. You can also ask if there are other physicians they know are willing to be shadowed. I felt like the hardest part was finding someone to shadow in the first place, then it was an easy domino effect from there as I went on to shadow so-and-so the first one knew.

 

[xoxo111]

Other things on my mind that came up: If you're shadowing in OR, you'll be asked to change into scrubs, maybe put on a cap and mask. The hospital will provide these. If you're in the ED, or in any work area close to patient rooms, you might get approached by a patient or their family asking for food, water, blankets, when test results will come back, etc. Just tell them you'll let the nurse know. You're only observing, and it's not your responsibility to provide patient care. Wear closed-toe shoes no matter where you're at. Wheelchairs and gurneys run amok; the floors are a microbiologist's nightmare. Don't take pictures or record anything on your phone. Eat and drink in designated areas like the cafeteria or staff lounge. Hospitals get anal about food around patient care areas. Obviously don't talk to the point that you're pestering the physician. Be respectful of their time and talk to them when you see they aren't busy. You can also ask if there are other physicians they know are willing to be shadowed. I felt like the hardest part was finding someone to shadow in the first place, then it was an easy domino effect from there as I went on to shadow so-and-so the first one knew.

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm actually shadowing at a doctor's office so avoiding all the hospital stuff. Also, when the time comes for the recommendation letter, should she give it to me & I upload it as a doc on the aamc/aacom website or she has to mail the letter to the particular school I'm applying to?

 

[Garurumon]

Ah gotcha. I was thinking of ER, because that's primarily where I had volunteered and currently work. Still good things to keep in mind in case you do venture into hospital settings. Regarding letter uploads, you'll have some options available to you. She can upload directly to the admissions portal using her email, or send it to you through Interfolio, where you attach your application ID and send it to AACOMAS, a specific school, or wherever.

 

[BellaWriterChic]

One thing that I asked everyone I shadowed was "If you could go back to medical school when you were deciding your residency and you were not allowed to choose (insert their field here) what would you choose?" It always started a discussion on how they came to that specialty and what they like of their own vs did not like of others when deciding. A few went through how they figured out what they wanted to do. I found this to be very informative. And it changes up the "Why this?" Question I feel they always get. Of course, don't ask this when you are busy.

 

[676188]

Make sure you have ID the first day or wear your ID badge if they gave you one. Always have a couple of pens and either a small notebook or some index cards in your pocket (I prefer index cards, they are small, lightweight, and you can freely give them away to patients, the Dr., what have you if they need them). Once you see a couple of interesting cases that you don't fully understand, you'll have a starting point to ask intelligent questions from for the next day. Good luck and have fun!

 

[AllBleedingStops]

She said that I should adhere to her 'rules', not sure what they are

Well that would be something to ask her ahead of time.

Also, when should I ask for that recommendation letter?

Not until you have developed some rapport with her, preferably over multiple shadowing experiences.

Also should I bring in a resume?

For what purpose?

 

[Schwester]

All the advice here is good, but something I didn’t see mentioned is: NO CELL PHONE! Turn it off, put it away, leave it in the car or at home, whatever you need to do.

I was doing 8+ hour shifts when I shadowed, so I had emergency stuff in a small purse (pads/tampons, Tylenol, chapstick, small snacks, etc. plus my notebook and pen). I left my phone in there for the entire shift, no matter how much down time I had. Having your face buried in your phone, even occasionally, can come across as a lack of interest.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Lol no you don’t need to bring your resume. Dress professional, do whatever the doc tells you to do, and don’t bring your phone out ever. No need for a notebook.

If you want a letter, be upfront with it. Tell her that you hope to get a letter off recommendation out of your experience with her and ask what you can do for her to feel comfortable writing you one.

 

[Cardboard101]

Dress business casual, make up a list of ten questions that you'd want to ask and bring a notepad to take notes.

 

[xoxo111]

Thank you everyone for all the advice! I'll definitely keep them in mind for tomorrow.

 

[Magus5454]

My shadowing experience came because my realtor happened to be a NP and her brother was a DO. I actually asked for the letter first and then did the shadowing. Business casual as they said. The nurse always asked before we went in if they were ok with me being in the room, and doctor introduced me as a future medical student