Just shadowed for the 1st time. Wow. I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far even if it was a slow day.
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First time shadowing
- Thread starter Telekinesis
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- Podiatrist
Sounds like a good experience. What did you get to see/do?
Caught a guy that needed a vascular bypass asap, neurotoma and bread and butter toenail cutting. Also some wound care. I only got a chance to shadow for like 4 hours but it was enough.
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- Podiatrist
The biggest thing for me when I was shadowing was trying to imagine myself doing whatever you saw in the office for the next 30 years. Is that something you can see yourself doing? Obviously in one afternoon you see a small selection of what podiatrists do, but in just those 4 hours, did you feel like its something you could see yourself doing?
Abso-freaking-lutely. Also it's important to note that the doctors were very honest to me. I asked all the standard questions and their responses assured me of podiatry's future.
I didn't think too much of the profession until my first four-hour day of shadowing (having never had foot problems and ever needing to see a podiatrist). But after just the first couple of patients I totally saw myself happy in this profession. I think its really important to shadow in several medical professions before making the decision of what to do for the rest of your life.
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If you have a defined period of shadowing (for example, one week) I would wait until the last day. If it isn't a defined time where you can come in as often as you like, I would wait until you start feeling comfortable around them and give it a good amount of time. If you have the luxury of spending as much time as you like, I would even say wait 2 weeks. You want the podiatrist to have had enough time to see that you are truly interested in the field.
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When you mention the LOR, remember to let them know that it is a requirement for the application process so they know how important it is.
Also, word the question open-ended so they have a easy way of refusing.
So instead of saying "Can I get a LOR, I need to apply for school" you should say something like " I was wondering if it would be possible to ask for a LOR? I know you are terribly busy so if you are not able to, that is completely fine"
If they agree (most will agree), you should say "Ok, I will stop by with all the material and envelopes you need tomorrow/next week. etc."
Then prepare a one page paper with info:
Your full name
your undergrad school and major
a paragraph of why you like Pod
NUMBER of hours you shadowed at his place and other pod places
Procedures you have seen
DUE DATE of recommendation (make it 3-4 weeks, even if you don't need it until later)
extra stuff:
mention if you shadowed other health prof. if you did. Then say that out of them all, you feel Pod is the most rewarding, bla bla bla
Include envelopes and mention that you will send it in yourself because your application is not turned in yet.
