Gynecologist shadowing?

Started by FloresMD
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FloresMD

FloresMD

Full Member
10+ Year Member
I plan on applying to osteopathic schools next cycle and I still haven't gotten my LOR from a physician. Since I am applying to all osteopathic schools I want to try and shadow only DO's. However, the only DO in town is a gynecologist. I'm a male so I feel somewhat uncomfortable shadowing a gynecologist. Has anyone shadowed a gynecologist ? If so, can you tell me what your experience was like?
 
FloresMD said:
I plan on applying to osteopathic schools next cycle and I still haven't gotten my LOR from a physician. Since I am applying to all osteopathic schools I want to try and shadow only DO's. However, the only DO in town is a gynecologist. I'm a male so I feel somewhat uncomfortable shadowing a gynecologist. Has anyone shadowed a gynecologist ? If so, can you tell me what your experience was like?
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You'll get over it. You will have to pelvic exams as a med student/doctor. You will likely just stand off to the side while the doctor does the pelvic exam. With that said, as a med student, about 1/3 of the outpatients refused to see me because I am a man, so I'm sure you'll experience something similar. If the DO does a lot of surgeries then it probably won't be an issue.
 
You could have a tough time finding patients who are okay with it... But maybe not. Definitely shadow him or her. Don't give up the opportunity to get DO shadowing because of your uncomfortableness seeing vaginas lol.
 
You're lucky if he lets you in. Many Ob/Gyns don't allow shadowing by male premeds (because anyone can say they're a premed, whereas med students are certified legit).
 
Yea that would be really strange. Before going into a room, the DO/ nurse has to ask the patient if they're comfortable with a student joining the room. I think 99% of patients would say no. You'd probably end up sitting in the doctors office all day while he/she saw patients.
 
hawruh said:
Yea that would be really strange. Before going into a room, the DO/ nurse has to ask the patient if they're comfortable with a student joining the room. I think 99% of patients would say no. You'd probably end up sitting in the doctors office all day while he/she saw patients.
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Yeah that's really what I'm concerned about. If I was in that situation I probably would not want a student in there too. However, if it comes down to it I will ask and I will sit through several awkward experiences to get that LOR. Lol
 
I shadowed an OB/GYN about 4 times. Saw several vaginal births, c-sections, tubals, and hysterectomies. Lots of fun and very interesting. Also it was great getting to see excitement and joy that a birth brings to the whole room and how thankful everyone is to the OBGYN...I say go for it OP. You might be able to schedule to shadow on procedure days.
 
OR.... what he/she may have you do is stand on the side so you can't see the patient's privates. Then you can sit in on the consultation. It's up to the patient though. Most of them are chill and understand you are there to learn and that you may be seeing this stuff eventually.
 
cliquesh said:
You'll get over it. You will have to pelvic exams as a med student/doctor. You will likely just stand off to the side while the doctor does the pelvic exam. With that said, as a med student, about 1/3 of the outpatients refused to see me because I am a man, so I'm sure you'll experience something similar. If the DO does a lot of surgeries then it probably won't be an issue.
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Was your preceptor Female by chance?

Mine was male and I probably had only 2 or 3 patients the entire 6 weeks who didn't allow me in the exam room; I assumed this was because the doctor was male so the patients were already somewhat OK with having a male doing their Gyn exams.

Best rotation I had in terms of actually getting to do patient care. I must've delivered 7 or 8 babies, 1st assisted on 20+ c-sections, and did well over 100 WH exams. In the end I credit my experience in OBGyn for helping me decide to do FM instead of IM (FM's can deliver and tend to do more women's health in my experience).
 
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There's nothing "strange" about it. You shouldn't be "put off" by the human body. Medicine is all about dealing it in a professional manner.
The only thing that matters is whether the patients are comfortable letting you shadow. If they are ok with it, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable 🙂
 
If the doc is ok with it...and the patients are ok with...sure. Just realize the sensitivity of what you are doing. Don't been a creep
 
hawruh said:
Yea that would be really strange. Before going into a room, the DO/ nurse has to ask the patient if they're comfortable with a student joining the room. I think 99% of patients would say no. You'd probably end up sitting in the doctors office all day while he/she saw patients.
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I disagree. I shadowed a PCP who had a large female patient load and had a lot of people come in for gyno issues. Even though I as only a premed nearly all of the patients had no problem with me coming in the exam room (I'm a male obv).
 
Shadowed for a long time ob. Most of the time no problem but I was asked multiple times to leave. Patients were usually OK with me being there
 
Called her office and I'll be shadowing her in Jan. Decided to suck it up and do it. I'm sure it'll be a lot better than I am expecting it to me. Thank you all for your input!
 
FloresMD said:
Called her office and I'll be shadowing her in Jan. Decided to suck it up and do it. I'm sure it'll be a lot better than I am expecting it to me. Thank you all for your input!
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What does this even mean? If you don't feel "comfortable" then don't do it. Last thing someone needs when seeing their OB is for some 21 year old dude looking like this-- :depressed: -- in the room.
 
67552931811 said:
What does this even mean? If you don't feel "comfortable" then don't do it. Last thing someone needs when seeing their OB is for some 21 year old dude looking like this-- :depressed: -- in the room.
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Well application cycle is coming up and I need a letter from a DO. The closest one after the gynecologist is several miles away. I won't look depressed. I'm sure it'll be interesting. But I'm sure if you asked 100 guys I bet at least half would say that they would feel for comfortable shadowing a urologist than a ob/gyn. Its not like I'm going to go in there all depressed and afraid and anxious. I'm there to learn, get my letter, and move on.
 
FloresMD said:
Well application cycle is coming up and I need a letter from a DO. The closest one after the gynecologist is several miles away. I won't look depressed. I'm sure it'll be interesting. But I'm sure if you asked 100 guys I bet at least half would say that they would feel for comfortable shadowing a urologist than a ob/gyn. Its not like I'm going to go in there all depressed and afraid and anxious. I'm there to learn, get my letter, and move on.
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It's normal, I think you might be uncomfortable because you know it can be awkward for the patient. But if the patient agrees to have you in the room, it means she probably doesn't mind that much. As someone mentioned above, you can offer to stand near closer to the patient's head so you don't actually see anything "private"
 
FloresMD said:
Well application cycle is coming up and I need a letter from a DO. The closest one after the gynecologist is several miles away. I won't look depressed. I'm sure it'll be interesting. But I'm sure if you asked 100 guys I bet at least half would say that they would feel for comfortable shadowing a urologist than a ob/gyn. Its not like I'm going to go in there all depressed and afraid and anxious. I'm there to learn, get my letter, and move on.
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^ Right on. GL, sir!
 
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