How to dress for shadowing

[esob]

I've got my first shadowing next week. I do see in some of the older threads to ask and I'm assuming the response is going to be business casual but tbh that means different things to different people. So how about a concrete idea of business casual for shadowing?

My idea of business casual (and what I normally wear to see hospice patients) is golf pants/shirt (polo), and all my golf wear is either UA or Nike like this:

https://underarmour.scene7.com/is/i...e=599,735&$wid=281&$hei=345&$extend=0,220,0,0

Is this too casual and I should opt for a traditional button up shirt instead?

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[DoctorCakes]

In my opinion that is a little too casual. I'd go with a nicer polo (brooks brothers/raulph lauren) or button down. Ideally you want to look like a med student and not undergrad. If I were a patient I would feel more comfortable with a med student shadowing when telling doc about a rash I have in my down under

 

[68PGunner]

Too casual. Basically, dress outfit w/o the jacket.

Dress pant with long sleeve shirt tucked in. A tie is not necessary.

 

[esob]

Ok, that's what I figured, but I wanted to confirm my suspicions that it would be too casual.

 

[QofQuimica]

I hate to state the obvious, since it is so obvious, but I'm going to, because it needs to be said. Call whomever is in charge of arranging your shadowing experience, and ask them what they want you to wear. When I shadowed, I was wearing scrubs because my doc was an anesthesiologist/pain specialist, and that's what he wanted me to wear (even in the pain clinic where I was shadowing him).

 

[DrCaffeinated]

All male students I've seen shadowing or scribing are in a dress shirt, slacks and a tie.

You can't go wrong calling or emailing the doctor or coordinator if there is one and asking about the dress code.

 

[BombsAway]

There are only two choices. Scrubs, or business-casual. Whichever the physician prefers.

 

[xffan624]

There are only two choices. Scrubs, or business-casual. Whichever the physician prefers.

Business casual as the OP stated means different things to different people. In MS3, the standard uniform is a dress shirt, dress pants +/- tie. I would go with a tie honestly. Not always required, but better to be overdressed than under.

 

[plinkko]

Chiming in with everyone to say that dress pants, dress shirt, and belt is the way to go. Tie depending on physician.

 

[popopopop]

My physicians didn't care. I wore polos and slacks with one and scrubs with the other.

 

[esob]

I talked to the HR manager today and she said "business casual, dress shirt no tie" so that's what I'm wearing. OFC I soon realized my entire wardrobe consists of only Under Armor, Buckle and American Eagle clothes so I popped into the local Jos. A. Banks and picked up some dress pants/shirts/shoes that should fit the bill. Ironically it's cheaper to buy a couple of outfits from there than it is to buy a couple outfits from Buckle, lol.

 

[esob]

Also, on a side note, will I need to ask for a letter from this doc when I apply or just be able to put them down as a physician I shadowed?

 

[DoctorCakes]

Also, on a side note, will I need to ask for a letter from this doc when I apply or just be able to put them down as a physician I shadowed?

You'll put them down as a physician you shadowed. General consensus is shadowing is not a strong enough activity to warrant a letter of recommendation. However some MD schools require MD letters and most if not all DO schools require a letter of rec from a DO so you may need one if it is last resort.

 

[backside_attack]

re: LOR, really depends on your relationship. If you guys hit it off and spend a good amount of time together talking about the profession, he/she might be a good person to write your physician LOR. If this turns out to be the average shadowing experience and you part ways amicably without a real professional mentorship/relationship, then just list it under AMCAS and be sure to write a thank you note/email to the physician.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

re: LOR, really depends on your relationship. If you guys hit it off and spend a good amount of time together talking about the profession, he/she might be a good person to write your physician LOR. If this turns out to be the average shadowing experience and you part ways amicably without a real professional mentorship/relationship, then just list it under AMCAS and be sure to write a thank you note/email to the physician.

This. I have two letters from shadowing that were excellent. Easily some of my most personable letters. Just depends on your relationship and how much they learn about you/like you.

 

[esob]

My doc was nice enough during the shadowing day, but she didn't even say goodbye before leaving (to me, her MA, or anyone else for that matter, lol) so I don't think this shadowing experience is going to yield a LOR. I did get to see some very interesting neuro cases though so overall it as a good experience.

 

[Dullhead]

My doc was nice enough during the shadowing day, but she didn't even say goodbye before leaving (to me, her MA, or anyone else for that matter, lol) so I don't think this shadowing experience is going to yield a LOR. I did get to see some very interesting neuro cases though so overall it as a good experience.

Curious - was it a full 8-hr day of shadowing?

 

[esob]

Curious - was it a full 8-hr day of shadowing?

yeah, 8:30 to 4. Apparently she normally only works 8:30 to 3 though, which seems like some pretty sweet hours if you ask me.