Have zero connection with doctors...how to ask them without being too aggressive?

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paul2752

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I have read several threads about asking for doctor shadowing, and there seemed to be mixed advice.

In my city, there is not a hospital but bunch of small clinics, and I do not personally know any doctors. I dont even have a family doctor.

What are the best ways to contact them and ask for shadowing opportunities?
 
Email or call the office. Most premeds don't have any connections with doctors.
 
I have read several threads about asking for doctor shadowing, and there seemed to be mixed advice.

In my city, there is not a hospital but bunch of small clinics, and I do not personally know any doctors. I dont even have a family doctor.

What are the best ways to contact them and ask for shadowing opportunities?

Do you have a PMD? See one for a visit and then ask if they know anyone you could contact.
 
Just call the respective practices (or walk in) and tell them you are a pre-med student looking to shadow.
 
There's so many ways to go about it.

First, as others have mentioned, get a hold of your PCP and see if they would let you shadow them or if they know someone who is fond of pre-medical students shadowing.

Second, during my time in UG, I made a big list of local doctors with their specialties and their medical school they attended. I basically went down the list and called each office and simply asked "hey so I'm a pre-medical student here at X university and I am interested in shadowing Dr. Y. I was curious as to what your offices' policy is regarding student shadowing, if Dr. Y ever allows students to observe..."

Office secretaries are quite often kind about this. Explain to them what you study, what year you are, possible availability during the week (make this as broad as possible). I would call instead of e-mail simply because I think calling is much more direct.

Lastly, as I have mentioned on these forums before. during my 4th year of UG, while playing catch with the football outside, I jammed my pinky and it actually broke out of the skin, blood everywhere. I was obviously referred to an Orthopedic surgeon in town. When I saw him for my first appointment, he asked me what I study (super common question) and I told him I am a pre-medical student, hoping to apply in the 2016/17 cycle. He went on to probe me about my interests and if I have shadowed before. I then basically told him I would be humbled to be able to observe you here in the office. He responded to that by saying, hey the office is boring, lets get you in the OR. And that's basically how I shadowed countless of ortho surgeries. That's actually also how I realized I don't think I want to do ortho... but that's a side point.
 
Be too aggressive. I have let a lot of opportunities pass me by because I was worried about people getting annoyed with me or disliking me.

You have to be willing to be a pain in someone's ass to get the experiences and opportunities necessary. Within the limits of what is legal and medically ethical, be as entitled and aggressive as you can bring yourself to be. Put your education first. And then once you've benefitted, write lots of really effusive thank you notes and be really nice to everyone who's helped you.
 
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Alabama arranges opportunities for you to shadow. Talk to Denham about it before the beginning of the semester.
 
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