Internship/Shadowing - How do I get them?

[InspiredByDrama]

I'm worried - I want an internship or shadowing position with a physician but I have no clue how to go about it. I have checked out UTSW web site and Baylor web site they have a few that of course I'll apply to - but shadowing and other internships how do I find them and how would I go about requesting to shadow a physician?

Any advice would be helpful

InspiredByDrama - Thx

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[relentless11]

You want to shadow a physician right?

This might be out there, but perhaps you should call up a physician and ASK?

 

[Bluntman]

perhaps you should call up a physician and ASK?

Yup. This is the way to do it. Med schools, research institutions, and hospitals all usually have online directories with little bios about the different people. Browse them and find someone who seems like a good fit. Then just give em a ring. Getting through to a real person is always better than leaving a message or an email...since a lot of these people are super busy and will never get back to you.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

I assumed that contacting the physican directly would of course have to be #1, but i was wondering if i should send out a letter to maybe 100 physicans in my area requesting a shadowing internship with them b/c i'm an aspiring med school student..

also was wondering if their was a website or resource on the internet that had doctors willing to accept shadow(ers)

 

[relentless11]

I assumed that contacting the physican directly would of course have to be #1, but i was wondering if i should send out a letter to maybe 100 physicans in my area requesting a shadowing internship with them b/c i'm an aspiring med school student..

also was wondering if their was a website or resource on the internet that had doctors willing to accept shadow(ers)

Are you that desperate to find a physcian to shadow with? And shadowing isn't really an internship. Why don't you call 10 physicians and talk to us in the morning?

Seriously, you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Physicians were once pre-meds too, they will understand. Whats the worse thing they can do? Say no? I'd be more concerned about finding a physician that can provide you with a worthwhile learning experience. Physicians are a dime a dozen, considering there are numerous clinics, hospitals, and research labs through out the nation. The ones that actually get you involved, and teach you something are the rare ones.

I have NEVER had a problem looking up physicians to shadow. I have never had one say no to shadowing because they don't have time. The only no i've gotten was because the physician was not on duty that month. However 2 months later he emailed me if I wanted to shadow since he was attending again. I have shadowed a pediatrician for over a year, as well as shadowed surgeons, intensivists and ER docs. The way I got ahold of them was by phone, and used our school's phone directory. I'm sure other hospital websites also have physician directories too.

That should answer your question. As far as I know, there aren't any national databases of physicians who will allow shadowing. The internet provides many things, but it has its limits...and at times this medical profession requires one to be pro-active otherwise you will be left behind in the cold. As for internships, you can probably look those up at schools that offer them. Hope that helps.

 

[DoctorPardi]

The above poster is offering good advice. I work at a hospital and just asked one of the surgeons if I could watch surgery/shadow in clinic. He was excited about having me come watch him in fact.

Also you might want to try to ask doctors you know personally, like your primary care doc or if you see any specialists just ask. If they can't let you shadow them, then ask them for their advice.

In my case I got lucky because the doctor I am shadowing is great, a wonderful surgeon, great personality, extremely knowledgable, good teacher etc. I had good luck partly because I knew the doctor from working with him, so I thought he would be a good fit for me. So try to shadow doctors you may already know then if that wont work use relentless' advice.

Also another thing is, I personally have stuck with just this one doctor. I could branch out and try to watch others but at this point I am less shadowing him as I am volunteering in his office. He lets me do histories and I deal with the patient basically a long the same lines as his nurses do. So it is a really great situation, so I guess my advice is if you find a doctor you like stick with him he might really help you with some indepth medical training you didn't think you would be getting.

 

[Sanctuary]

You could always offer "special" favors..

 

[baylormed]

The following worked for me:

COLD-CALLING

Got a great intership. Albeit, I did work for free, but it was good experience. Got free training and got to be an MA for a summer.

 

[relentless11]

Also another thing is, I personally have stuck with just this one doctor. I could branch out and try to watch others but at this point I am less shadowing him as I am volunteering in his office. He lets me do histories and I deal with the patient basically a long the same lines as his nurses do. So it is a really great situation, so I guess my advice is if you find a doctor you like stick with him he might really help you with some indepth medical training you didn't think you would be getting.

This is also good advice. The pediatrician that I shadowed for a year provided me with the most valuable and memorable experience compared to shadowing in the ICU, OR, and ER. I did the others just to see the field rather than learn much. Although the others were also memorable, shadowing with 1 attending over one year was wonderful.

As stated, knowing a physician before hand also helps. They can direct you to other physicians, or take you themselves. My PhD qualifying exam committee includes the head of critical care, and thus he provided me with valuable shadowing experience with members of his staff. But for the most part, I researched who I wanted to shadow, and called them up. Eitherway it will get you experience.

 

[InspiredByDrama]

Why does everyone on this forum (not just this topic) seem to have a stick stuck up their ass like they from the beginning knew every answer and never asked questions.

Don't be smart asses because you know the answer to a question someone else doesn't. It'll come back to bite you in the ass when you ask a question - you're unsure about - but someone else is.

Hope this helps

 

[63768]

Why does everyone on this forum (not just this topic) seem to have a stick stuck up their ass like they from the beginning knew every answer and never asked questions.

Don't be smart asses because you know the answer to a question someone else doesn't. It'll come back to bite you in the ass when you ask a question - you're unsure about - but someone else is.

Hope this helps

did you want to cry about it some more? would you like a tissue?

honestly, all you do is ask them. find a specialty you're interested in and call their office, request to meet with the physician at his convenience, walk in at the appointed time, and ask. you might want to have a resume to hand to them (if you meet them face to face, which is the best route) or email them (if you don't have a pair and decide to do it by phone).