M1 shadowing

[Mr Cookie Pants]

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Since we've finished our first block (Gross, Histo and some basic PE) we're allowed to shadow now.

The director of CT Surg emailed me and asked if I wanted to shadow (we signed up early what we were interested in). Of course I want to, I've shadowed other surgeons as an undergrad but I'm feeling that was different. Obviously then, they expected me to know nothing. Now, I've learned a bit, still nothing in the big picture, will they expect me to know anything? Just read up on the relevant anatomy?

 

[Dr Roboto]

Even though you're just shadowing, that's not going to stop them from asking you questions, probably because they have no idea what you already learned. So go with the flow, learn what you can, and don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer, even if it's something you already learned. Reading up on relevant anatomy will not only be good review; even if they aren't pop quizzing you, it'll come in handy in understanding the things you see and hear.

Anyway, shadowing should be a worthwhile experience for you so make an effort to get something out of it and don't worry so much. Save that for rotations. 🙂

 

[scotties123]

i actually did some shadowing today as part of a requirement we have (were given attending physician mentors we have to shadow). She knows very well that Im still a first year (first semester technically), but had no problem asking me (instead of the 4 residents there) why there would be lung atresia or infiltration. And it was fun trying to recognize pathologies on x-rays.
Attending: "What do you see on this x-ray?"
Resident 1: medical jargon I dont understand
Resident 2: more medical jargon I dont understand
Me: "I see a diaphragm, a sternoclavicular joint, and some true and false ribs. Oh, there's also a couple lungs in there."
They all thought it was amusing.

 

[ZagDoc]

You'll get pimped, but as an MS1 expectations are pretty low (basically if you can answer anything its a gold star). No need to "study up" for shadowing (seriously?) but the physician you're following may ask you read up on topics and I'd recommend completing any tasks asked of you. Docs are hit and miss on how much responsibility they'll throw an MS1. I've had physicians basically make me stand in the corner pre-med style, others that make me go see patients on my own even though at the time i had no idea what the f I was doing, even a surgeon who taught me how to scrub and sub-q close in the OR.

 

[Monica Lewinsky]

and if look like an idiot, which is a good chance if you get asked any questions or are asked to do anything remotely "doctor-like, it won't matter, they won't be writing an evaluation of you.

 

[Jolie South]

we have a preceptorship class we spend one afternoon every 2 weeks with a primary care doc at their practice.

anywho, mine doesn't expect much and it's pretty casual. i spend half the time shadowing and half practicing the H&P skills that we've learned thus far. the more time i spend with my preceptor, the more i get pimped on stuff, but it's not malicious. we also go over chest x-rays, lab work, EKGs together if the patients get those.

i think once you mention that you're a first year, expectations will be pretty low.

 

[TheRealMD]

we have a preceptorship class we spend one afternoon every 2 weeks with a primary care doc at their practice.

anywho, mine doesn't expect much and it's pretty casual. i spend half the time shadowing and half practicing the H&P skills that we've learned thus far. the more time i spend with my preceptor, the more i get pimped on stuff, but it's not malicious. we also go over chest x-rays, lab work, EKGs together if the patients get those.

i think once you mention that you're a first year, expectations will be pretty low.

I asked one of the residents to pretend I was a third-year for once and she pointed out several things I did "wrong". But it's really just enough repetition that you don't bother thinking about it anymore, like where the letters are on a keyboard.