Is shadowing necessary?

[LuluLovesMe]

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I have worked as a clinical research coordinator at a large hospital for over 2 years now. I've worked in 10+ outpatient clinics and occasionally in inpatient settings as well. I work with MA's, Nurses, Patient Care Coordinators and Clinicians daily.

My premed adviser told me that I don't need to shadow at all because of my experience, but it makes me nervous not to. I have about 15 hours of shadowing only.

 

[NickNaylor]

Have you actually been around patients in this position? Or do you work more as an administrator with the clinical staff? If the latter, I would seek out experiences that involve direct observation of patient care. If the former, you'll probably be fine but I would still shadow if only to get a look at what medicine looks like outside of a big hospital system.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Have you actually been around patients in this position? Or do you work more as an administrator with the clinical staff? If the latter, I would seek out experiences that involve direct observation of patient care. If the former, you'll probably be fine but I would still shadow if only to get a look at what medicine looks like outside of a big hospital system.

I talk to patients on a daily basis. That makes up over 70% of what I do. Basically enrolling them in studies, drawing their blood, making casual conversation, occasionally dealing with disgruntled patients. I don't see patient physician interactions while they are in their appointments though.

 

[NickNaylor]

I talk to patients on a daily basis. That makes up over 70% of what I do. Basically enrolling them in studies, drawing their blood, making casual conversation, occasionally dealing with disgruntled patients.

In that case you would probably be fine, but I would still try and seek out other clinical experiences that allow you to see the physician-patient interaction directly. IMO this would be more for your own benefit and enrichment than an "advantage" on your application.

 

[Lawpy]

I talk to patients on a daily basis. That makes up over 70% of what I do. Basically enrolling them in studies, drawing their blood, making casual conversation, occasionally dealing with disgruntled patients. I don't see patient physician interactions while they are in their appointments though.

Then I suppose there's no need to rack up more shadowing hours since you're involved in patient care and interact with the physicians and healthcare team regularly.

But I agree with NickNaylor to seek out other clinical experiences to expand yourself a bit.

 

[LuluLovesMe]

Then I suppose there's no need to rack up more shadowing hours since you're involved in patient care and interact with the physicians and healthcare team regularly.

But I agree with NickNaylor to seek out other clinical experiences to expand yourself a bit.

I think I'll look for more shadowing experience in specialties that I find interesting. But as it stands now, you don't think my 15 hours of shadowing will put me at a disadvantage?

 

[Lawpy]

I think I'll look for more shadowing experience in specialties that I find interesting. But as it stands now, you don't think my 15 hours of shadowing will put me at a disadvantage?

Not at all. Several applicants on SDN applied with 0 and got in. It's preferable to get slightly more hours to have a better understanding what physicians do on a daily basis, and as a way to supplement your clinical research job, but 15 is adequate.

 

[breakintheroof]

@LuluLovesMe I agree with what's been said. I was one of those who applied with zero hours of shadowing and got in. A caveat is that my clinical experiences included primary care as well as a tertiary academic hospital. Edited to add: And one of my supervisors who wrote me a letter of recommendation is a physician.

Getting out into the world of community health or primary care might both broaden your horizons and lessen your anxiety. But even if you just don't get the chance to do it, I think you will be fine.

 

[NickNaylor]

I think I'll look for more shadowing experience in specialties that I find interesting. But as it stands now, you don't think my 15 hours of shadowing will put me at a disadvantage?

The hours themselves are not what matter. It's your ability to communicate your understanding of what practicing medicine is about and why you are interested in the career. If you are able to do that successfully then whether you have 15 hours or 1000 hours is irrelevant.

 

[el_duderino]

Is your patient contact actually clinical? How much time do you have actually observing physicians examining or treating patients?

 

[Catalystik]

I think I'll look for more shadowing experience in specialties that I find interesting. But as it stands now, you don't think my 15 hours of shadowing will put me at a disadvantage?

I think you'll be disadvantaged at schools that require or expect it. Other schools won't care about shadowing at all. But why decrease the schools to whom your application will appeal? I think you should follow your instincts and get in at least another 25 hours. The experience will be more worth your time if you elect to observe an office-based primary care doc who provides longitudinal care. Observing procedures, while fun, won't get you the all insights you need to gain.

 

[Avicenna]

just stream scrubs on netflix thats enough clinical experience

 

[sliceofbread136]

Shadowing was probably the most fun EC I did, I would do it just for the experience

 

[Goro]

Can you answer the questions "Do you know what a doctor's day is like?" How different doctors (say, an endocrinologist, a surgeon or a Primary Care doc) approach their jobs??

That's what shadowing is all about.

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

Shadowing was probably the most fun EC I did, I would do it just for the experience

lolwut?

Shadowing sucked. Not only was I infringing on the privacy of patients, but there was nothing useful I could offer in terms of medical care.

 

[ski89]

lolwut?

Shadowing sucked. Not only was I infringing on the privacy of patients, but there was nothing useful I could offer in terms of medical care.

Yeah i was usually bored by lunch time as well, but I agree that shadowing was something that I enjoyed very much overall. It sure beat ED volunteer work, stalking shelves and getting water bottles for family members.

 

[sliceofbread136]

lolwut?

Shadowing sucked. Not only was I infringing on the privacy of patients, but there was nothing useful I could offer in terms of medical care.

1st thing-If the doctor asks the patients permission I don't see the problem.
2nd thing- Who cares. That's not the point at all