First Shadowing Opportunity Tomorrow!

[mees]

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Hello! I am very happy to say that I will be shadowing a local podiatrist tomorrow afternoon and I am so excited! I am currently a junior and only recently became aware of podiatry as a career and began to consider it. I believe have a good amount experience in the medical field. I have worked for years with a dentist, I have shadowed a physical therapist and a DO and I am a volunteer EMT at a clinic. From what I have read on podiatry it seems like a solid career with a lot of variety (which I am definitely looking for).

Any advice for my first day? I will be dressed professionally, of course. 🙂

 

[347932]

Look, listen and learn. Be respectful to the patients, staff and doctors and try not to talk too much at first. If you go back to shadow more, then open up a bit as you are comfortable.

Otherwise, enjoy!

 

[flyhi]

Look, listen and learn. Be respectful to the patients, staff and doctors and try not to talk too much at first. If you go back to shadow more, then open up a bit as you are comfortable.

Otherwise, enjoy!

All that he said and most of all...ENJOY yourself!! It should be a great day. Let us know how it goes.

 

[AZ25]

In addition to what was already said... Introduce yourself to the patientwhen you enter the room (if the doctor you're with doesn't introduce you). Tryto think of good questions to ask the doctor and then ask them when there isfree time. Don't worry about asking for a letter of recommendation if you needone. Most doctors seem to offer to write a letter after a day or two of shadowingand you never even have to ask. At the end of the day you can ask toshadow again if you had a good time. Have fun!

 

[mees]

I will definitely keep that in mind, thank you! Will update on my experience tomorrow :]

 

[mees]

My shadowing opportunity went really smoothly! I think I left a good impression as I was asked to come back. The podiatrist I shadowed was very honest and about her experiences and I truly appreciated that. She really made me feel welcome. It's a big thing trying to decide what career path to choose (lots of time, dedication, and money). It was a slow afternoon, but I got to see three patients, one post-op nail removal, one new-patient consult, and another one which was a diabetic foot care return. Hopefully I will be able to go again soon!

 

[dyk343]

My shadowing opportunity went really smoothly! I think I left a good impression as I was asked to come back. The podiatrist I shadowed was very honest and about her experiences and I truly appreciated that. She really made me feel welcome. It's a big thing trying to decide what career path to choose (lots of time, dedication, and money). It was a slow afternoon, but I got to see three patients, one post-op nail removal, one new-patient consult, and another one which was a diabetic foot care return. Hopefully I will be able to go again soon!

Try to get into the operating room if at all possible. Most pods are more than happy to allow you to shadow a few surgeries, but sometimes the hospitals the surgery is being performed at will not allow students to shadow.

If the pod can't get you into the OR, try to shadow another one that can get you in. Its a big part of podiatry and you should at least see it before making a lifelong decision.

Good luck!

 

[Ferocity]

My shadowing opportunity went really smoothly! I think I left a good impression as I was asked to come back. The podiatrist I shadowed was very honest and about her experiences and I truly appreciated that. She really made me feel welcome. It's a big thing trying to decide what career path to choose (lots of time, dedication, and money). It was a slow afternoon, but I got to see three patients, one post-op nail removal, one new-patient consult, and another one which was a diabetic foot care return. Hopefully I will be able to go again soon!

That's very slow. You should try to shadow a super busy pod just to see what that lifestyle is like. I literally had to run behind the pod I shadowed because he was flying in and out of 3 or 4 patient rooms - all day, every day!

 

[AZ25]

I agree with Ferocity. It would be a good experience to also shadow a really busy podiatrist. I've been with some docs who will see 50+ patients easy. Though I think it's great that you shadowed a "slow" one too though, because not everyone is super busy. Good to get different experiences.

 

[flyhi]

That's very slow. You should try to shadow a super busy pod just to see what that lifestyle is like. I literally had to run behind the pod I shadowed because he was flying in and out of 3 or 4 patient rooms - all day, every day!

👍