How important is it to shadow multiple specialties?

[Pusheen]

So I'm currently shadowing a surgeon, in both the OR and regular clinic visits. How important is it that I get more shadowing experience in different fields? I'm personally perfectly fine with just shadowing one doc, since I'm already pretty busy up until app season. Should I try to seek out another opportunity in primary care/another specialty, or will my 40 or so hours with the surgeon be adequate?
I obviously have other clinical experience as well.

 

[Meeehai]

I think shadowing various areas gives you more to talk about come application and interview time because of more exposure. But I don't think it will give you a significant advantage over your 40 hours in one place.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

it's not.

 

[Law2Doc]

It won't make you more likely to be admitted. If may help you get a better sense of what kind of a doctor you might want to be.

 

[MrLogan13]

It's not. Just get a meaningful experience from the doc you do shadow.

 

[Ismet]

I'd shadow primary care just for the exposure but you don't need to

 

[Catalystik]

I'd shadow primary care just for the exposure but you don't need to

. . . . unless you plan to apply to any med schools with a primary care focus, in which case they might be looking for it. Even if you plan to specialize, it's a good strategy to get a view of medicine "from the trenches", since those are the folks who will be sending you referrals.

 

[Pusheen]

. . . . unless you plan to apply to any med schools with a primary care focus, in which case they might be looking for it. Even if you plan to specialize, it's a good strategy to get a view of medicine "from the trenches", since those are the folks who will be sending you referrals.

Thanks for the insight! Can you name any such schools off the top of your head?

 

[Ismet]

. . . . unless you plan to apply to any med schools with a primary care focus, in which case they might be looking for it. Even if you plan to specialize, it's a good strategy to get a view of medicine "from the trenches", since those are the folks who will be sending you referrals.

Very true!! I think everyone should experience primary care, just not something I'm used to particularly looking for.

 

[Catalystik]

Thanks for the insight! Can you name any such schools off the top of your head?

You'd particularly want to check the mission statements of your public state schools, but as I recall: ECU, Commonwealth in Pa, SIU, Central Michigan, East Tennessee, UMinnesota-Duluth, UArkansas, some Texas schools, etc.