Looking to Shadow in an ER. Any Suggestions?

[DiDoc]

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I'm looking to get some shadowing experience and I would really like to do it in an ER.

How do I go about getting such a position if I don't know any ER docs? I looked on some hospital websites in their volunteer sections and they say that they don't arrange physician shadowing.
Also how long does one typically spend shadowing a doctor? I don't have so much time, and was wondering if a week would be enough?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ismet]

Most hospital websites have directories with physician bios/contact info/etc. Email a few and explain that you're a pre-med interested in shadowing. Keep in mind that a lot of hospitals have strict guidelines about HIPAA and safety and won't allow undergrads to shadow.

 

[ucsfstudents]

It's a little more time consuming, but if you can get in contact with a medical student near you, they can then connect you with an ER doc they know is receptive to having students around.

 

[deleted454156]

Find an emergency medicine scribe job if you can. Phenomenal experience.

 

[Fivo]

OP, that volunteer program may not set up physician shadowing directly, but it doesn't mean you aren't able to set it up on your own.

Get a volunteer gig in the ER and get to know the docs. After you build a bit of a relationship, ask the doc if they wouldn't mind you shadowing them, separate from volunteering, either at the current hospital or another one they work at.

 

[eefen]

Find an emergency medicine scribe job if you can. Phenomenal experience.

+1. OP, if you can, do this. It this has been an awesome experience. You get to see some pretty interesting things and it gives you a lot of fodder for interviews.

#plugforscribesandmyblog

🙄

 

[circulus vitios]

I'm looking to get some shadowing experience and I would really like to do it in an ER.

How do I go about getting such a position if I don't know any ER docs? I looked on some hospital websites in their volunteer sections and they say that they don't arrange physician shadowing.
Also how long does one typically spend shadowing a doctor? I don't have so much time, and was wondering if a week would be enough?

Thanks in advance.

The hospital where I'm shadowing doesn't arrange physician shadowing. I still asked them to set me up with a doctor. It's kind of stupid to expect a student to find a doctor when 1) the student presumably doesn't know the doctor 2) the website doesn't list contact information and 3) doctors generally aren't receptive to cold-calling while they're working.

 

[alpinism]

Many med schools (esp osteopathic) have lists of alumni willing to have students shadow them. Contact the school's admissions dept. (or alumni association) to see if they can get you the contact info.

The AOA has a long list of EM DOs w/ contact info: http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/find-a-do/Pages/default.aspx

Your pre-med advisor or health sciences committee might also have some connections.

As others have said, volunteering or working as a scribe in the ED would give you the best chance to meet docs and find shadowing opportunities.

 

[tima]

I think you should talk to your premed advisor. At my health science office, there was a list of doctors where previous students had shadowed. The health science office has a lot of good info.

 

[The Kraken]

If you really want to get shadowing time, don't email. A phone call forces somebody to respond to you and your request. After messing around with emails I took the original advice I got from my advisor and literally called every hospital in the area. A phone call will get you shadowing time, call the hospital and ask "who can I talk to to set up shadowing physicians?"

 

[phikapdoctor]

Walk in and ask.. That's what I did. I even went through the ambulance entrance. Both doctors said yes.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

 

[docbobi]

I am trying to do some shadowing and volunteering... I am a 33 yo male , with no experience in medical field or dental office. In fact i just changed my major to biology about 3 years ago and passed 90+ credits. NO one accepts me to do shadowing and i don't know where i do volunteering, what can i do?

 

[acslater99]

Would having a Transporter job in the hospital be a great way for experience?

Also would that replace any volunteering I would have to do?

 

[dsoz]

I am trying to do some shadowing and volunteering... I am a 33 yo male , with no experience in medical field or dental office. In fact i just changed my major to biology about 3 years ago and passed 90+ credits. NO one accepts me to do shadowing and i don't know where i do volunteering, what can i do?

I am 41. I was able to volunteer at a local tertiary hospital ED. I also shadowed 4 different physicians. One for more than 150 hours. If I can find something, then you have a shot too. Start with small hospitals near your house. Small hospitals love volunteers.

Would having a Transporter job in the hospital be a great way for experience?

Also would that replace any volunteering I would have to do?

It would count as clinical, not as volunteer. Adcoms like to see volunteering. Find something that you like to do. If it is in a hospital, then that is even better. But if you like to volunteer at a homeless shelter serving dinner one night a week then that would work too for volunteering.

Singing in a church choir (unpaid) or playing in a community orchestra could also count. (maybe not for volunteer, but for an activity) It gives the interviewer something to talk to you about and makes you seem like you are human, not just a cardboard pre-med.

dsoz

 

[Geebeejay]

Walk in and ask.. That's what I did. I even went through the ambulance entrance. Both doctors said yes.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

Lol I still don't think this is a good plan, even if it worked for you

 

[mwall003]

Find an emergency medicine scribe job if you can. Phenomenal experience.

+1. A much more involved and active experience than shadowing. One of the best clinical experiences out there in my opinion.