Getting a doctor you shadowed a gift?

[medstud87]

So I shadowed a surgeon for only 3 days but 8-9 hours each day. He was really nice and let me see a bunch of cool stuff. He also stepped out of his way to make sure everything was a learning experience. Oh and he bought me lunch (a total of 7-8 bucks).

I'm asking him to write me a recommendation letter as well.

Do you think it'd be a good idea if I get him a small gift, and if so, what?

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[pingouin]

I would think that a hand-written thank you note should suffice in this case.

 

[MKA55]

^agreed

 

[Lbgem]

I would think that a hand-written thank you note should suffice in this case.

I agree with the above posters, and would add some lines in your note specifically about how he's helping you/furthering you career/etc. Rather than just a thanks for letting me shadow you kind of thing. It's always nice to hear specifically how you've helped someone. So basically a thoughtful thank you note.

Gifts I find can be awkward. Personally if I am going to get a gift (I usually don't and stick with the thank you notes), I'd wait til after the rec letter so they don't think I'm trying to butter them up. It'd have to be something small, but again, I agree with JUST the thank you letter.

 

[justdoit31]

I think a note is fine. The only time I got a gift was for a physician who spent 6 months working to get me into her hospital to shadow and then set up days with different specialist in the field I was interested in- she also took me out for a nice ($15+) dinner. SHe couldn't write a letter (hospital policy) but I ended up researching with her and getting a publication. I sent her an itunes gift card because she had just got an ipod at the time and was trying to build up her list

 

[IlDestriero]

I think a note is fine. The only time I got a gift was for a physician who spent 6 months working to get me into her hospital to shadow and then set up days with different specialist in the field I was interested in- she also took me out for a nice ($15+) dinner. SHe couldn't write a letter (hospital policy) but I ended up researching with her and getting a publication. I sent her an itunes gift card because she had just got an ipod at the time and was trying to build up her list

I've read this recently elsewhere about a "policy" against writing letters for shadowing students. I've never heard of such nonsense. What is this "policy" and what purpose could it serve? I cannot imagine my hospital/medical school dictating what I can and cannot do to support an applicant.

 

[justdoit31]

I've read this recently elsewhere about a "policy" against writing letters for shadowing students. I've never heard of such nonsense. What is this "policy" and what purpose could it serve? I cannot imagine my hospital/medical school dictating what I can and cannot do to support an applicant.

Apparently that hospital had a problem with students volunteering at the hospital, asking a physician to let them shadow, spending 1 day with them, and wanting a letter of rec for it. I can't say if it is right or wrong but I think the individual physician should decide what they want to do.

The doctor I worked with wanted me to research with them which the hospital wouldn't allow since I didn't go to the med school. Once I was accepted to med school the doctor planned a project and I was able to come and spend as much time as I wanted researching and in clinic between MSI and MSII. Now the physician can write a letter of rec for me for residency so I dunno. I just followed the advice of one of the attendings I shadowed during my 2 weeks- "if you want into this field, stick to the program like glue over the next few years."

 

[MedGrl@2022]

What is the current thought on gifts to say thank you for those who let you shadow them for a month and write you letters of recommendation? I was thinking an edible arrangement but it is sort of expensive. What does everyone think?

 

[pathologyDO]

I gave a surgeon I shadowed a gift of candy/chocolates for him to share with the nurses in his office. He was sort-of a family friend though

 

[Ironheme]

What is the current thought on gifts to say thank you for those who let you shadow them for a month and write you letters of recommendation? I was thinking an edible arrangement but it is sort of expensive. What does everyone think?

Would say no to this.

A nice thank you note would be much better. Some hospitals have policies of not accepting gifts greater than x monetary value - you don't want to put the doc in an awkward spot.

 

[dirigo]

You guys sound like ingrates. I sent a gift basket with wine to every doctors I shadowed, and i'm getting so many raving LOR.





A thank you note will suffice.

 

[dsoz]

I shadowed a ophysician that is a relative of a friend for over 120 hours spanning more than a year. Each time he bought lunch, coffee, etc. he allowed me to assist with some procedures (nothing fancy) and was even having me go take brief H&P on patients and "present" them to him. I learned a lot from him about the art of medicine.

At the end, I did write a nice card, but also included a gift card that would allow him and his wife to go to dinner together at a restaurant that I know he liked. Not really fancy, but fairly upper end.

I shadowed three other physicians for 1-2 days, and a thank you card is all I gave them.

dsoz

 

[GoSpursGo]

I would think that a hand-written thank you note should suffice in this case.

This is definitely enough. The point is to show that you appreciate the help he has given you, and that is accomplished with a simple card; anything beyond that is nice, but certainly not necessary.

 

[NeuroLAX]

I shadowed a ophysician that is a relative of a friend for over 120 hours spanning more than a year. Each time he bought lunch, coffee, etc. he allowed me to assist with some procedures (nothing fancy) and was even having me go take brief H&P on patients and "present" them to him. I learned a lot from him about the art of medicine.

At the end, I did write a nice card, but also included a gift card that would allow him and his wife to go to dinner together at a restaurant that I know he liked. Not really fancy, but fairly upper end.

I shadowed three other physicians for 1-2 days, and a thank you card is all I gave them.

dsoz

This is very reasonable. I would have done the same.