How to Get Anything Out of Shadowing

[Camy99]

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Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I'm definitely not enjoying my first shadowing experience. Here's the deal:
She's an Ob/Gyn (I know, I know... but I'm interested in Peds so I thought I'd be build my way up? Ok, she was the first doctor to say yes.) On our first meeting before I even started she basically told me she wished she could change specialty. By the time the day was over, I was over it as well. Why? I. Just. Stand. There. Yes, like a shadow, ha-ha. But is that really how it's supposed to be? I enter the room with her, she asks the patient if it's ok, and then I just stand in the corner as if I was the patient's mute family member. Then we leave and I stand there and watch her scribble things on the records. I want to ask questions but I don't want to bother her train of thought, I already feel like a bother in the small space by standing there in the first place.

On top of all this boredom, today an actually interesting patient came in and she wouldn't let me see her! (Not the patient, the doctor. She said this wouldn't be as "nice" as all the others. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE!!!)

So maybe it's me. Or it's the doctor. Or it's OB/GYN as a specialty. Or shadowing's just stupid. You tell me.

 

[Slowpoke]

Perhaps try asking her after each consultation if she wouldn't mind explaining some of the procedures you see her do/or what is going through her head after seeing Mrs. Smith.

Work with what you got! I am sure you know firsthand how difficult it is to find a physician that wants a pre-med holding onto their coat tails.

 

[cheesier]

I think that's just kind of how it is. As undergrads, we don't have the knowledge to really get much out of it. You stand there, you see what a doctor actually does, you ask questions if you can... that's about it. If your only exposure to the medical field is tv and er volunteering where you see doctors from afar, shadowing allows you to see the nitty gritty aspects of medicine you'd otherwise not be exposed to.

 

[Camy99]

Perhaps try asking her after each consultation if she wouldn't mind explaining some of the procedures you see her do/or what is going through her head after seeing Mrs. Smith.

Work with what you got! I am sure you know firsthand how difficult it is to find a physician that wants a pre-med holding onto their coat tails.

Should I ask as she does them in front of the patient? I don't want to intrude on the patient's time and whatever. After that she's writing, and I know I can't write something important and talk at the same time because of how confusing it can get. Basically--how to do this without being a bother?

I was planning on asking if I could shadow a delivery. Whether or not I can handle it is another question lol but at least it'll be a bit more interesting than cervixes and ultrasounds, right?

 

[Slowpoke]

Should I ask as she does them in front of the patient? I don't want to intrude on the patient's time and whatever. After that she's writing, and I know I can't write something important and talk at the same time because of how confusing it can get. Basically--how to do this without being a bother?

I was planning on asking if I could shadow a delivery. Whether or not I can handle it is another question lol but at least it'll be a bit more interesting than cervixes and ultrasounds, right?

Probably the safest way, to avoid being a complete nuisance, is to ask her after she sees the patient and is not in the vicinity of any other patient.

Remember, she can't read your mind, so when you have a question you're going to need to ask her at an appropriate time. The next time you see her, politely ask if it would be okay if you asked questions to clarify some of the things that you see her do, or terms that you don't understand - assert that you can do it after she sees the patient as to avoid being a nuisance.

And yeah! I think the best part of shadowing is seeing the procedures. If she allows you, definitely do it.

 

[Jnet389]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I'm definitely not enjoying my first shadowing experience. Here's the deal:
She's an Ob/Gyn (I know, I know... but I'm interested in Peds so I thought I'd be build my way up? Ok, she was the first doctor to say yes.) On our first meeting before I even started she basically told me she wished she could change specialty. By the time the day was over, I was over it as well. Why? I. Just. Stand. There. Yes, like a shadow, ha-ha. But is that really how it's supposed to be? I enter the room with her, she asks the patient if it's ok, and then I just stand in the corner as if I was the patient's mute family member. Then we leave and I stand there and watch her scribble things on the records. I want to ask questions but I don't want to bother her train of thought, I already feel like a bother in the small space by standing there in the first place.

On top of all this boredom, today an actually interesting patient came in and she wouldn't let me see her! (Not the patient, the doctor. She said this wouldn't be as "nice" as all the others. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE!!!)

So maybe it's me. Or it's the doctor. Or it's OB/GYN as a specialty. Or shadowing's just stupid. You tell me.

I kinda feel the same way except I'll ask the random questions that pop into my head though, just try to do it at a time when they don't seem as busy or rushed. The thing I don't understand is I see all these MDapps that mention "100+ hours of shadowing" and I'm like WTF! Unless they shadowed 8 or more physicians or something to get to 100+ I don't see how anything over 10 hours with a specific doctor is very beneficial. just my $.02

 

[Camy99]

I kinda feel the same way except I'll ask the random questions that pop into my head though, just try to do it at a time when they don't seem as busy or rushed. The thing I don't understand is I see all these MDapps that mention "100+ hours of shadowing" and I'm like WTF! Unless they shadowed 8 or more physicians or something to get to 100+ I don't see how anything over 10 hours with a specific doctor is very beneficial. just my $.02

I know right? This whole complaint is coming after 5hrs. I can't and won't continue with her for 100 -__-" But I definitely plan on jumping around. Hopefully the experiences get better with each [:

 

[AvidAvatar]

Just stick in there and keep looking for more doctors to shadow that might be more interactive with their students. People always say they have problems with the physicians they are shadowing...find someone better! 🙂

When shadowing pathologists I helped record data during organ studies and autopsies, I also did random laboratory stuff, like setting up materials for frozen biopsies. Whenever the pathologist were reading slides when I was around they would turn on a flat screen TV that shows what they are seeing over their head so I could follow along. When shadowing radiologists they spent 10 to 20 seconds per read summarizing the case for me and asking me questions while checking out the images. When shadowing a GP I had the opportunity to interview the patient before the doctor came into the room, compare side effects to drug profiles for patients, do nutritional counseling for diabetics and also just distract the patients with conversation while the doctors were running behind schedule.

My advice is to try to find a teaching hospital. Folks there are used to being followed around and asked questions by people they don't know. Good luck!

 

[JCTWP46]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm shadowing an orthopedic surgeon again tomorrow. Last time I shadowed him in his office I felt like a puppy dog just following him around everywhere, without too much talking. But he is my dad's surgeon, and during his latest appointment with my father he told him that he was willing to help out any way he could and that I was more than welcome to continue to shadow him.

Physicians must have a million thoughts running through their heads all the time. On top of that, mine just had a baby. So I tried not to take anything personal.

 

[NickNaylor]

1) Pay attention to ALL aspects of the physician's job - not just what they do in the exam room. Keep in mind that time in the exam is only one part, and perhaps not even the largest part, of the job.

2) Ask questions about what happened after you leave the exam room. Is there something you weren't clear on? Ask about it.

3) Just take the experience in. I really enjoyed shadowing experiences, but then again I shadowed procedural specialties so it was much more interesting. If you don't like shadowing in an office/primary care setting, maybe check out a surgical specialty. Those tend to be a lot more interesting.

 

[YH5]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I'm definitely not enjoying my first shadowing experience. Here's the deal:
She's an Ob/Gyn (I know, I know... but I'm interested in Peds so I thought I'd be build my way up? Ok, she was the first doctor to say yes.) On our first meeting before I even started she basically told me she wished she could change specialty. By the time the day was over, I was over it as well. Why? I. Just. Stand. There. Yes, like a shadow, ha-ha. But is that really how it's supposed to be? I enter the room with her, she asks the patient if it's ok, and then I just stand in the corner as if I was the patient's mute family member. Then we leave and I stand there and watch her scribble things on the records. I want to ask questions but I don't want to bother her train of thought, I already feel like a bother in the small space by standing there in the first place.

On top of all this boredom, today an actually interesting patient came in and she wouldn't let me see her! (Not the patient, the doctor. She said this wouldn't be as "nice" as all the others. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE!!!)

So maybe it's me. Or it's the doctor. Or it's OB/GYN as a specialty. Or shadowing's just stupid. You tell me.

You're doing it right.

 

[Freakfarm0]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I'm definitely not enjoying my first shadowing experience. Here's the deal:
She's an Ob/Gyn (I know, I know... but I'm interested in Peds so I thought I'd be build my way up? Ok, she was the first doctor to say yes.) On our first meeting before I even started she basically told me she wished she could change specialty. By the time the day was over, I was over it as well. Why? I. Just. Stand. There. Yes, like a shadow, ha-ha. But is that really how it's supposed to be? I enter the room with her, she asks the patient if it's ok, and then I just stand in the corner as if I was the patient's mute family member. Then we leave and I stand there and watch her scribble things on the records. I want to ask questions but I don't want to bother her train of thought, I already feel like a bother in the small space by standing there in the first place.

On top of all this boredom, today an actually interesting patient came in and she wouldn't let me see her! (Not the patient, the doctor. She said this wouldn't be as "nice" as all the others. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE!!!)

So maybe it's me. Or it's the doctor. Or it's OB/GYN as a specialty. Or shadowing's just stupid. You tell me.

You can ask questions, but, as a pre-med, you more than likely will not understand the answers or at least the reasoning behind them. Shadowing is kind of pointless in this regard.

However, I think an important question to ask yourself with each specialty is, "Could I do this for the rest of my life?" Take into account what the doctor does all day. Would you want to do a dozen wellness-check ups a day as a pediatrician? Would you be able to handle the late nights and early mornings of a surgeon? More than likely you will not find what you want to do, but it can help point you in the right direction.

 

[gators21]

Should I ask as she does them in front of the patient? I don't want to intrude on the patient's time and whatever. After that she's writing, and I know I can't write something important and talk at the same time because of how confusing it can get. Basically--how to do this without being a bother?

I was planning on asking if I could shadow a delivery. Whether or not I can handle it is another question lol but at least it'll be a bit more interesting than cervixes and ultrasounds, right?

For the love of god dont ask in front of the patient. You are there to observe and see the type of work doctors do. Not be taught a procedure, give advice, or "help" in any way. Its called shadowing, shadows dont talk. Your a premed, chances are you probably wont be by the end of college. The sole purpose of shadowing is to judge if you think you could put up with the work.

 

[Mount Sinai]

I support the post above completely. You also need to deal with other "shadowers" as well. This is usually where I have problems with. I was recently shadowing a gastroenterologist involving a patient receiving an evaluation...etc. I was with a group and this girl just kept on asking the dumbest questions. if it were not for my sanity, I probably would have suggested a colonscopy to get all that **** out her ass.

 

[sunflower18]

Yeah, definitely don't ask questions in front of the patient. But, by all means, ask when you get outside the room!!

I've shadowed a specialist for 100+ hours, and I love it and can't wait to do more. Part of the reason why is because I ask him if he has any homework for me, and he usually gives me a medical topic book (such as about managing pain) to take home and read and then the next day we discuss it as it relates to the patients. This gets me thinking, and also allows him to know exactly what I know about the subject so that we are on the same page. I also take notes on the patients, which really helps me stay involved. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with the few that I've shadowed -- they've all been really interactive and quizzed me on symptoms, side effects of medications, forced me to work through diagnoses, etc. So good ones are out there!! If you didn't find one initially, don't lose hope completely 🙂

I hope that helped! I have shadowed a physician who is much more difficult to talk to, which isn't fun -- so I definitely have empathy for that. But usually asking, "So what does that treatment do?" and such will garner a good explanation 🙂 Good luck!

 

[418865]

Yeah, definitely don't ask questions in front of the patient. But, by all means, ask when you get outside the room!!

I've shadowed a specialist for 100+ hours, and I love it and can't wait to do more. Part of the reason why is because I ask him if he has any homework for me, and he usually gives me a medical topic book (such as about managing pain) to take home and read and then the next day we discuss it as it relates to the patients. This gets me thinking, and also allows him to know exactly what I know about the subject so that we are on the same page. I also take notes on the patients, which really helps me stay involved. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with the few that I've shadowed -- they've all been really interactive and quizzed me on symptoms, side effects of medications, forced me to work through diagnoses, etc. So good ones are out there!! If you didn't find one initially, don't lose hope completely 🙂

I hope that helped! I have shadowed a physician who is much more difficult to talk to, which isn't fun -- so I definitely have empathy for that. But usually asking, "So what does that treatment do?" and such will garner a good explanation 🙂 Good luck!

wow the physician you shadowed actually gave you books to study and discuss diagnosis on that level? it's kind of crazy but that's good for you!

 

[dsoz]

Some of the benefit is over time and after building a relationship. I have shadowed two MDs and two DOs. I keep going back to one of the MDs because he is the grandfather of a family friend. I have probably done more than 50 hours in his office. He has started having me carry around a stethoscope and listen to all the things that he listens to (lungs, heart, gut, etc.) and has had me look with the otoscope at various things. One patient, while the doc was typing the H&P had me go check heart and lung sounds (which he repeated when I was done). And I picked up a heart murmur. Then later in the day I was listening to another patient and said that something is not right with the heart sounds. I had found a previously undiagnosed heart murmur in a 60 year old! I was pretty stoked and practically strutted home that day.

Bottom line, build the relationship and maybe you can do more as time goes on. Be willing to ask questions (at appropriate times), and be willing to do things for the doc, like get a cup of liquid nitrogen or ask the nurse a question. I have come from my shadowing experiences with some interesting stories to tell... (burning warts off a guy's p***s with liquid nitrogen...)

Hang in there.
dsoz

 

[Disinence2]

Your questions should be about their experience with the medical field as a whole. Your not going to learn anything during your pre-med shadowing that will even remotely help you as a med student or resident. You will learn things that help you make an intelligent career choice.

My Tips

1) Ask to shadow them for one whole day. Like actually wake up early, try to round with them, and stick around till their paperwork is done. Make sure you know what your getting into!!

2) Ask them questions about their satisfaction with their career

3) Try not to bother them

4) If your volunteering in a hospital and a resident, or even med student wants to show you something interesting, act interested and tag along. This is your chance!

 

[sunflower18]

wow the physician you shadowed actually gave you books to study and discuss diagnosis on that level? it's kind of crazy but that's good for you!

Yeah, it was kind of intense! Not that that information will help me in medical school or residency, as someone pointed out, but it definitely cemented that I am interested in putting things together and drawing from knowledge bases to construct an idea about a patient (like a diagnosis, basically). It was more like... "Patient X presents with this, this, and this. What tests would you run? Okay, good. These were the results. Idea for diagnosis? Nice try, but these are the demographics. Stumped? Okay, well, walk me through what you think is happening in the body and the organs that would be affected. All right, good, so what affects this organ, this organ, and this organ?"
I don't usually get the diagnosis right... But it is a good experience nonetheless!

 

[ucsfstudents]

It's ok to ask questions when you are out of the patient's room. Asking questions shows interest. Try to get into the OR if that interests you.