Hey guys/gals - I'm a pre-med student who desperately needs to shadow a doctor. I don't have connections to any doctors, so I thought I'd write letters to doctors in hopes that one will take me in. What kinds of things should I include in my letter? how long should it be? any help would be great. thanks!
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Letter for shadowing
Started by cutie447
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I was kind of in the same situation you are in now when I was trying to do some shadowing. Instead of the whole letter approach, I just pulled out the phonebook and started calling docs. A lot of the doctors I spoke with wouldn't allow me to shadow because of fear of running afoul of HIPAA, but eventually I met with some success, either getting to shadow or being able to meet with the doc and ask some questions about med school and their practice. A call I found to be helpful was one to one of the local hospital's Director of Medical Education. He seemed more in touch with the plight of the pre-med student and knew of docs who didn't mind having students shadow. Hope this helps.
i just sat down with the iowa osteopathic website and started e-mailing DOs explaining who I was and what I want to do. needless to say i am now shadowing the areas best plastic surgeon.
have you considered shadowing your pediatrician? Some friends of mine have found that to be very helpful. Perhaps even talking to your primary care doctor, if you are embarrassed or don't want to shadow them, you could always ask if they have contacts of anyone you could shadow...
