Impossible to shadow in CA??

[basketballakev]

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Alright so I have been trying really hard to find a Physician that I could shadow. Specifically I've been trying to shadow a Radiation Oncologist, however every time I call and ask, I always get either the, "You need to be a Medical Student," or hospital policy BS response. Is anyone else in CA having trouble finding a Physician to shadow? I think there are more opportunities to shadow in Norcal but here in Socal I don't know.

 

[go lakers]

I shadowed a plastic surgeon in Bakersfield. Commuting from Socal to there to make 7 AM surgery was painful, but he let me follow him everywhere and even scrub in. If the person you try to shadow has enough pull, I don't think its a big problem.

But there's always that HIPAA thing too.

 

[JamesBond15]

It is possible. I think contacting individual doctors is hard. Call Volunteer Services at hospitals and ask them. Some hospitals have programs where you can shadow.

 

[SDN2013]

I believe it's no longer possible to shadow at all in the states due to HIPAA.

 

[LizzyM]

I believe it's no longer possible to shadow at all in the states due to HIPAA.

You would be wrong.

 

[DrMattOglesby]

try becoming a volunteer in the hospital.
then its a LOT easier to shadow doctors.
i had to interview for my volunteer spot, which was kinda weird, but because the process was so involved, i was able to sign that id follow the rules of HIPAA.
so, try to get a volunteer spot first--then look for docs to shadow 🙂

 

[utahjazz]

try becoming a volunteer in the hospital.
then its a LOT easier to shadow doctors.
i had to interview for my volunteer spot, which was kinda weird, but because the process was so involved, i was able to sign that id follow the rules of HIPAA.
so, try to get a volunteer spot first--then look for docs to shadow 🙂

Yeah, I did the same thing and completely agree.

 

[JackInTheBox]

Find a volunteer position in a hospital somewhere, show that you're enthusiastic about the job (unlike the volunteers who just stand around and do nothing), and the docs and nurses will be more than happy to let you observe them at work.

 

[amakhosidlo]

Na, dealing with the bureaucracy is the hard part. Find nice PCP practicing in a smaller setting, catering to middle to lower-class populations. I found that this was an excellent way to start your shadowing 'career'. Proceed in whatever direction you want (PCP-->IM-->Rads), but stick to the smaller clinics. After previous success, I tried approaching a doc working in a much larger setting and was told that their "Privacy Officer" wouldn't allow it.

Oh, and honestly, stop trying to find some esoteric specialty to gain experience in right off, unless you plan to walk into interviews spouting off about how you know as a non-MS that Radiation onc. is truly where you were meant to be.

In that case, good luck. 🙄

 

[SDN2013]

You would be wrong.

Ouch... This is what my university's hospital told me, that due to HIPAA it's no longer possible to shadow.

 

[deleted74029]

I've heard the whole "you need to be a medical student" thing too. But do med-students ever even shadow docs?

 

[JamesBond15]

I believe it's no longer possible to shadow at all in the states due to HIPAA.

Sooooo. wrong.
I love how people reply to stuff they really don't know about. :/

 

[alwaysaangel]

I've heard the whole "you need to be a medical student" thing too. But do med-students ever even shadow docs?

Yeah, they do. Usually its more what we call "precepting" and a lot of times we get to 'see' the patients. But yes, a lot of medical students will go shadow specialties they're interested in during the first two years. At least at my school.

 

[LizzyM]

Ouch... This is what my university's hospital told me, that due to HIPAA it's no longer possible to shadow.

All you need to do is google HIPAA Shadowing and you'll find the policies from several hospitals (including several university affiliated hospitals) regarding shadowing. Generally, one needs to be registered with the institution, have undergone some privacy training and signed a pledge not to disclose protected health information, have an escort, and have an ID badge.

The statement that it is not allowed "in the states" is ludicrous. If you are that gullible....

 

[amakhosidlo]

Na, dealing with the bureaucracy is the hard part. Find nice PCP practicing in a smaller setting, catering to middle to lower-class populations. I found that this was an excellent way to start your shadowing 'career'. Proceed in whatever direction you want (IM-->Rads), but stick to the smaller clinics. I tried approaching a doc working in a much larger setting and was told that their "Privacy Officer" wouldn't allow it.

Oh, and honestly, stop trying to find some esoteric specialty to gain experience in right off, unless you plan to walk into interviews spouting off about how you know as a non-MS that Radiation onc. is truly where you were meant to be.

In that case, good luck. 🙄

 

[pianola]

It's all in how you present yourself to the physician you wish to shadow.

You won't get as much red tape if you present yourself with maturity, confidence, and an explanation of why you want to shadow said physician.

Just my $0.02.

 

[SDN2013]

All you need to do is google HIPAA Shadowing and you'll find the policies from several hospitals (including several university affiliated hospitals) regarding shadowing. Generally, one needs to be registered with the institution, have undergone some privacy training and signed a pledge not to disclose protected health information, have an escort, and have an ID badge.

The statement that it is not allowed "in the states" is ludicrous. If you are that gullible....

Ooops, I guess I should of googled. Too late for me to shadow in the states now though 🙁 I shadowed my father practicing in a foreign country.

 

[silverlining1]

Some schools are fortunate to have a program where they help you sift through the bureaucracy so that you can shadow. Shemarty actually helps run the program at Stanford that I went through. Thanks to the program, I actually got to make rounds and scrub in on several surgeries.

 

[nina7123]

I agree with whoever said to shadow in a small clinic setting. The rules are less restricting and they are often so in need of an extra seet of hands that they'll let you do more.

I've had the best experiences at small clinics, whereas as larger hospitals there is a lot more bureaucracy to get through

 

[Destro96]

Agreed that the HIPAA excuse is GARBAGE.

As already posted, all they have to do is register you as a volunteer. You get a brief education on the HIPAA rules and you sign a sheet of paper stating that you will agree with it.

Just keep asking at enough different places. Eventually, you'll get someone to agree to help you out.

 

[170559]

Hey I just finished orientation to volunteer at SFGH's ED. The lady who runs the program seems really nice and she actually said that after 100hours of volunteering, volunteers can be paired with an attending if the program is not full. Thats one way to go about it.

Also last year when i shadowed a surgeon at OHSU, they let me do a HIPPA training and then shadow, you could try offering to take the training.