How to Shadow a Doctor

[Jasgop]

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Guys,

I have a problem. I'm kind of scared to asked doctors to shadow them. I don't know if they would see me as a pest.

How do I look for a doctor to shadow? Can I just call any clinics or hospitals that has a doctor and see if I can shadow a doctor?

Thanks,

I really need help.

Jasgop

 

[Practitioner]

How do I look for a doctor to shadow? Can I just call any clinics or hospitals that has a doctor and see if I can shadow a doctor?

Yes. E-mailing is fine too. Don't be intimidated, most of them understand and are very supportive and accommodating.

 

[Xinlitik]

I was worried about it too. I just emailed a local hospital's director of public relations, and she set me up with the person to email about shadowing. Waiting on a response, but it should be no problem.

Just contact a nearby hospital and be polite.

 

[Catalystik]

You might also ask the doc who cared for you as a child, or your parent's physician. Or docs you meet while gaining clinical experience.

 

[clhc18]

Remember, those doc's were in our shoe's at one time! And trust me, if they think you are going to be a pest they probably won't allow you to shadow them. This being said, they will do you a favor if they really don't want you to follow them because you want a doc who is going to be motivated to help you learn, that is what the whole experience is about!!

 

[doccody]

What I did was actually was I talked to the student placement coordinator that places residents here in my local hospital. She was extremely helpful and I got a hold of here through the volunteer office since I also volunteer there. I would talk to someone like that or just try emailing them. I also have shadowed my own family doctor and I just asked her and she was extremely helpful. Most doctors aren't as intimidating as you think.

 

[Disinence2]

Just ask! The worst that can happen is they say no

 

[RevDM]

In order to shadow a physician, you must master the art of the Ninja.

 

[Alvarez13]

Just ask! The worst that can happen is they say no

Even if they do, don't take No as an answer. Just follow them around and when they turn around, duck! I don't think Med Schools require them to sign off on anything or plan on ever calling them.

That or get someone to smash your head in with a 3 iron so can you be their patient 😀

 

[noshie]

Guys,

I have a problem. I'm kind of scared to asked doctors to shadow them. I don't know if they would see me as a pest.

How do I look for a doctor to shadow? Can I just call any clinics or hospitals that has a doctor and see if I can shadow a doctor?

Thanks,

I really need help.

Jasgop

I just called out of the phonebook and eventually they would call me back. I called a lot of different docs though, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket just in case it ends up not happening. Every doc I have ever met has been supportive about shadowing. Doctors are really like teachers. They usually enjoy mentoring premeds just as much as we enjoy following them around...

 

[FloatOn]

I emailed about 12 hospital doctors at a time and 3-5 got back to me each time. The ones who respond to you the quickest are usually the most enthusiastic about having pre-meds follow them around. Some are on leave so you might get a random email from them several weeks later. Others won't want you to follow them but they'll put you in touch with someone who would. I find that emailing is most convenient for them and for you.

 

[SweetRain]

I asked my volunteer supervisor at the clinic I volunteer. I did some research on my own before I asked and asked my supervisor if he would be a nice person to shadow.

Most doctors are very nice and the patients are surprisingly cooperative.

Whether it goes on your application or not, I think you should really do some shadowing before applying to med school. It gives you so much more perspective than just volunteering at a hospital.

 

[yoman786]

Best thing I've found, every time you ever have to go interact with a doctor in any way, be it in a hospital as a patient, in a social setting, wherever, ask them if you can shadow. Be smart, talk to them first, chat em up, then pop the question. Someone will say yes