HELP!!! Physician shadowing for idiots

[nontrad314]

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Hi!

I just had a little bird whisper in my ear: "go get the soup to nuts of physician shadowing!!!!"

So PLEASE someone tell me:

How do I go about doing this? Please, just assume I'm a big idiot and tell me what this is all about.

In particular, I work 9 - 5 and am doing some school work and other things in the evenings and on the weekends. So I'm wondering how do I go about finding a physician with weird hours like my current off hours; who is prepared to drag me around?

The thing is, I'm sorta really interested in doing it.

HELP!!!

All input greatly appreciated.

 

[jlee9531]

maybe you can ask an ER doctor. they have pretty "odd" hours.
go to a hospital and ask about their volunteering programs. See if they have a program where you can volunteer for the ER dept, and set yourself up for your hours. Then maybe you can get to know a doctor there and do some shadowing in addition to your volunteering there.

 

[nontrad314]

Many thanks for the insights my friend. To add a bit to that, many physician's in many fields have 'on call' hours that lie outside the usual 9-5.

In the event that others should stumble on this thread, here is a link that I found through google:

http://cdc-server.stanford.edu/shadow/premed/studentapp.html

The link discusses a pre-med program at Stanford that pairs shadows to physicians. Expectations, for both parties, are discussed; which may prove informative to others with questions concerning the shadowing process.

I assume that 'Health Professionals Offices' at most universities will also have at least some similar information about expectations and / or pairings...or at least some input about physicians in the immediate area who participate in shadowing.

There are a couple threads on the SDN forum, of various quality, that discuss physician shadowing; although I was unable (in the limited time I spent) to find discussion of how one goes about kicking off the process.

There are always cold calls through the directory; although that doesn't seem to be the most efficient method that is possible.

 

[WolfpackRed]

I just e-mailed a bunch of doctors (in fields I was interested in) at Duke and asked them if I could shadow them for a couple of shifts - they were more than willing to help and more than willing to pull you in on codes and more graphic procedures

 

[nontrad314]

Thanks for the input WPR.

 

[Scubadoc]

one of my friends has been shadowing in the ER also-from 7pm-7am...it might work around your work schedule (although you'll be tired! 😴 )

 

[Bluemirage]

I also work full-time (50 hours/week) and taking 10 credit hours a semester. Some good suggestions have already been made. There are quite alot of specialties that take call regularly on weekends and evenings eg Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery, Cardio-Thoracic. You should show up to their office in a suit, explain your intentions and ask some of these docs if you can shadow them on weekends or in the evenings when they are on call. Might be a good idea to show up with fruit/coffee/donuts etc for the office to make a good impression (this will also get you past the gatekeepers of the office...some trade secrets of being a pharmaceutical representative). I think if you make a positive first impression, most docs will be ok with it...good luck!!

 

[Medikit]

How long should I shadow for? I had a lot of fun shadowing yesterday and I'm shadowing again tomorrow. But I feel like if I do it for too long I'd just get in the way.

 

[Arginine]

Length of shadowing experience should be by mutual agreement between you and the physician you are shadowing. Sometimes it helps to make a list of objectives/goals you have for your shadowing experience: are there certain procedures you would like to see, or certain types of illnesses, certain age groups, etc? You could schedule longer intervals between shadowing experiences (once every two weeks, rather than two days in a row) if you don't want to feel like you're getting in the way.

 

[Spitting Camel]

"go get the soup to nuts of physician shadowing!!!!"

Am I the ONLY one who doesn't understand this? I've read it OVER and OVER and still can't decipher it 🙁

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

It's a Roman phrase, meaning "the entire meal". Today, it means to get "the whole picture".

 

[scooter31]

This is what worked for me.

1. I shadowed a flight surgeon on an AFB. If you have a military ID, call and see what the various docs are up to. Most of the AF hopsitals are very low key, more outpatient set, so the pace may be more conducive to more one on one interactions. If you're not a military dependent, this prob wont work, as getting onto a military installation as a civilian these day is pretty tough.

2. ED physician. Most, if not all, of the ED docs I've encountered were very laid back and more than happy to have you shadow them and let you see the traumas come in the door. Also, if the person you're with is having a slow night, the other's will always come grab you and show you what they're up to.

So yeah, that's been my experience. The flight surgeon wanted a set schedule, the ED guy said come in anytime during his shift and stay as long as you'd like. I got letters from both, although the ED doc said he'd write me one after the first night on w/ him. Its just a matter of personality I suppose. What else. Oh, you may or may not know their standing in the hospital, but residents are usually a bit more apt to say yes. Not a rule, just my own observation after working in a hospital for the last 7 years. Good luck, ask lots of questions, buy them lunch/coffee. 👍

 

[Spitting Camel]

It's a Roman phrase, meaning "the entire meal". Today, it means to get "the whole picture".

Thank you... I thought he/she wanted to bring the doctor some food or fix the doctor's car... 😕