General Shadowing Tips

[sephora89]

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Hello,

I am interested in shadowing a few doctors and was wondering if anyone had any advice so I get the most out of my experience?

 

[NickNaylor]

1) Do not be annoying. You are a fly on the wall. You do not talk to patients. You do not make suggestions.

2) Pay attention. Ask questions that you're genuinely interested in, but do not burden the physician with inane questions.

3) In short, don't be annoying. You are there to observe - not to learn and not to be a doctor-in-training. Do not confuse these roles.

 

[KindleUser]

4) Bring a notebook so you can document your experience for future reference.

5) Ask the physician how long it would be okay for you to shadow them. This can prompt him/her to figure out which days are most interesting/informative for you to come in (e.g. a surgeon will tell you which days they are in clinic or OR)

6) FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU CARD. The doctors are doing you a huge favor by letting you observe, so don't forget to show some gratitude. This could help if you want to shadow them again.

 

[sephora89]

Thanks for the advice.

I guess another reason I am mainly asking is because some MD schools and nearly all DO schools ask for a shadowing LOR and I'm just wondering what they can really say besides that I was polite/respectful and asked good questions?

Am I missing something? I want to act in a way so they do have something substantial to say in those letters of recommendations.

 

[caffeinemia]

Thanks for the advice.

I guess another reason I am mainly asking is because some MD schools and nearly all DO schools ask for a shadowing LOR and I'm just wondering what they can really say besides that I was polite/respectful and asked good questions?

Am I missing something? I want to act in a way so they do have something substantial to say in those letters of recommendations.

HAHAHAH. This guy/gal is very goal oriented. Observe the advice above and show a genuine intellectual interest and your qualities will shine through. Trying to "act" a prescribed way will look forced as heck. The doc will pick up on it...I pick up on it all the time.

 

[sephora89]

Do you blame me?!

When I request a LOR from the physician and give them a list of things to possibly include in the letter, I want to make sure I actually have a list of of positive things they can include! I do not personally see anything wrong with acting a certain way. I don't believe it would be forced. But I can be quiet/shy at times so I want to make sure I make an active effort to display qualities that adcoms expect to see mentioned in LORs. @caffeinemia

 

[caffeinemia]

Do you blame me?!

When I request a LOR from the physician and give them a list of things to possibly include in the letter, I want to make sure I actually have a list of of positive things they can include! I do not personally see anything wrong with acting a certain way. I don't believe it would be forced. But I can be quiet/shy at times so I want to make sure I make an active effort to display qualities that adcoms expect to see mentioned in LORs. @caffeinemia

Hold up. GIRL! Are you telling me you can actually request that your letter writers include certain things in the letter? Whattttttt. I can't even.. Never ever heard of... Mind blown. I thought these letters were typically closed letters. What's going on here. Have I been deceived all my life?

I think what you're going for is... behaving professionally. Be punctual, be respectful. Show interest if you have it. Avoid being effusively enthusiastic, if it is not you. It will be disingenuous. Don't be awkward, overbearing. Absolutely don't cut someone off - patient, nurse, staff, or physician.

If you are really quick and catch on to the doctor's routine and he's okay with it, you can take the initiative to do small chores to facilitate the visit. Grab a chart from the door. If it's a procedurally oriented practice, fetch the suture removal kits for suture removals. If it's some minor procedure position the trashcan, gloves, other PPE in a convenient place. Help clean up (safely) afterwards. If a dressing is being changed, see if you can lend a hand opening dressings. I swear, this is like common sense stuff that's actually helpful but seems to be missed by medical students all the time. You could shine with some initiative.

A good mentor will ask you, "what do you think" or "do you have any questions?" Take that opportunity to shine.

 

[KindleUser]

If you are looking for a physician LOR, I would suggest asking a professor or an employer who is an MD or DO. Those professionals would be able to comment on your academic, clinical, and personal qualities based on extensive and regular observation. Such an evaluation would be more valued by medical schools.

I highly doubt letters from physicians you shadowed will contribute as much depth, especially if there is a large gap between the time you did the observation and the time you request the letter. At most they might be able to say that you were interested and asked insightful questions. IMO, shadowing is a time to learn more about the medical profession rather than planning for prospective LORs.

 

[familyaerospace]

I have some in a link in my signature.

 

[dechristine]

If you are looking for a physician LOR, I would suggest asking a professor or an employer who is an MD or DO. Those professionals would be able to comment on your academic, clinical, and personal qualities based on extensive and regular observation. Such an evaluation would be more valued by medical schools.

I highly doubt letters from physicians you shadowed will contribute as much depth, especially if there is a large gap between the time you did the observation and the time you request the letter. At most they might be able to say that you were interested and asked insightful questions. IMO, shadowing is a time to learn more about the medical profession rather than planning for prospective LORs.

Perhaps @sephora89 has a med school committee like mine, which requires a LOR from an MD (if applying to MD schools) that specifically talks about patient (not clinical research subject) interaction. I have no idea why this is a requirement but unfortunately it seems like a hoop that we have to jump through.

 

[KindleUser]

Perhaps @sephora89 has a med school committee like mine, which requires a LOR from an MD (if applying to MD schools) that specifically talks about patient (not clinical research subject) interaction. I have no idea why this is a requirement but unfortunately it seems like a hoop that we have to jump through.

That is a bizarre requirement. In any case, you wouldn't expect to get a LOR specifically discussing patient interactions from a physician you shadowed. As stated in point #1 by NickNaylor above, observers are like flies on the wall and DO NOT talk to patients, they are simply there to observe. This type of LOR is more commonly acquired from clinical volunteer coordinators/supervisors.

 

[ridethecliche]

Hold up. GIRL! Are you telling me you can actually request that your letter writers include certain things in the letter? Whattttttt. I can't even.. Never ever heard of... Mind blown. I thought these letters were typically closed letters. What's going on here. Have I been deceived all my life?

Really?

This happens ALL the time.

 

[sephora89]

Hold up. GIRL! Are you telling me you can actually request that your letter writers include certain things in the letter? Whattttttt. I can't even.. Never ever heard of... Mind blown. I thought these letters were typically closed letters. What's going on here. Have I been deceived all my life?

I think what you're going for is... behaving professionally. Be punctual, be respectful. Show interest if you have it. Avoid being effusively enthusiastic, if it is not you. It will be disingenuous. Don't be awkward, overbearing. Absolutely don't cut someone off - patient, nurse, staff, or physician.

If you are really quick and catch on to the doctor's routine and he's okay with it, you can take the initiative to do small chores to facilitate the visit. Grab a chart from the door. If it's a procedurally oriented practice, fetch the suture removal kits for suture removals. If it's some minor procedure position the trashcan, gloves, other PPE in a convenient place. Help clean up (safely) afterwards. If a dressing is being changed, see if you can lend a hand opening dressings. I swear, this is like common sense stuff that's actually helpful but seems to be missed by medical students all the time. You could shine with some initiative.

A good mentor will ask you, "what do you think" or "do you have any questions?" Take that opportunity to shine.

Yeah, as @ridethecliche said, people will often ask if there is anything we would like for them to include in their letter. It is up to us to remind them of significant moments that really highlight qualities that would make someone a good physician.

Thanks for the advice! Now I guess I should come up with a good list of interesting but non-annoying questions to ask.

 

[sephora89]

I think it is a ridiculous requirement too. I don't know what they can say beyond "Sephora is a nice/respectful girl and asks interesting questions." @dechristine

 

[DocKingh]

You will get the most out of your experience by being there on time and being attentive. I agree that you should not be too annoying (especially in the exam room). However, that does not mean you cannot ask questions once you come out of the room. It also greatly depends on the doctors you shadow. Some are easygoing, others are a bit more serious. You will have to judge for yourself during the first day and act accordingly. Btw, I don't think it's set in stone that you as a shadow cannot talk to patients. Just make sure that you are not interfering with the doctor-patient communication. Sometimes the patients are not interested in talking with you, so don't force them to. By talking a little bit (but not too much) the doctor can see your communication skills in action and may even comment on them in your LOR. In regards to bringing a notebook, you can... but honestly I just typed a list of what happened on my laptop once I got home. Overall, just behave professionally and respectfully. Good luck!

 

[caffeinemia]

I think it is a ridiculous requirement too. I don't know what they can say beyond "Sephora is a nice/respectful girl and asks interesting questions." @dechristine

"We both love shopping at Sephora, ergo she is awesome. Like me." - Best doctor ever.

 

[caffeinemia]

Really?

This happens ALL the time.

What! I need to ask my letter writers to say how ridiculously amazing sextacularly beautiful I am from now on. Omg, no wonder I didn't match to Harvard Scharvard Schermatology