How should I go about shadowing?

[Duriel]

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Hey all,

I think its about time I start shadowing but I am not sure exactly how to go about it. Do I just go in and ask if they will let me shadow? Do I apply for any job within a practice and go from there?

Thanks! 😀

 

[alferec]

Hey all,

I think its about time I start shadowing but I am not sure exactly how to go about it. Do I just go in and ask if they will let me shadow? Do I apply for any job within a practice and go from there?

Thanks! 😀

I made a section on my website regarding shadowing here...hope this helps.

 

[achirum]

I spent some ample time shadowing my optometrist. She recommended that I check out some other practices though to see all thats out there so I gave a phone call to an Optometrist near my house and alas....... 3 days have passed and I haven't received a phone call back 🙁

 

[IndianaOD]

what states are you guys in?

 

[achirum]

what states are you guys in?

PA

Make that two optometrists that haven't returned my calls.....

 

[daysend85]

Your best bet is look in the phone book for offices nearby and give them a call. If you don't hear back, call another place. Another recommendation is to shadow each kind of different setting: a private practice, a group OMD/OD practice, and a retail setting. This was required prior to the start of first year at PCO, and it was a good experience for me.

 

[achirum]

Your best bet is look in the phone book for offices nearby and give them a call. If you don't hear back, call another place. Another recommendation is to shadow each kind of different setting: a private practice, a group OMD/OD practice, and a retail setting. This was required prior to the start of first year at PCO, and it was a good experience for me.

Well, I've got the private practice, and I have exposure to OMD/OD practice from volunteering at the hospital. I suppose I could always drop by Walmart or something and see if I could shadow someone there.

Thanks for the info.

PS: Do you like PCO? My optometrist said she absolutely loved it.

 

[r_salis]

Go with people you know to their appointments, I think it's the best way to meet and talk to ODs.

 

[masterv]

What's a reasonable amount of time that you should shadow an OD? I would presume most people would say "As long as possible," but in terms of having a full understanding or firm grasp of the job description, I don't think it will require more than a full semester.

I agree that sitting in on eye examinations is great exposure to the profession, but what are schools expecting to see in terms of the amount of job shadowing?

 

[IndianaOD]

What's a reasonable amount of time that you should shadow an OD? I would presume most people would say "As long as possible," but in terms of having a full understanding or firm grasp of the job description, I don't think it will require more than a full semester.

I agree that sitting in on eye examinations is great exposure to the profession, but what are schools expecting to see in terms of the amount of job shadowing?

I would shadow more than just the exams. Also ask them what is involved with running a business in private practices.

 

[masterv]

I would shadow more than just the exams. Also ask them what is involved with running a business in private practices.

I fully agree with exploring the profession all around, but how long does a student typically shadow for? I'm not asking just to meet the bare minimums that schools look for, but I'm sure your involvement would be kept at a such a level that just observing will limit your time there. Without actually doing anything hands on, it'll be tough to picture yourself in the ODs' shoes.