Most appropriate way to ask to shadow?

[quarterhorsecol]

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Hi. I have wanted to shadow for some time now and I finnally have the time this summer to fit it into my schedule. I want to contact some doc's this week but I am not really sure how to go about doing this. I spent 2 summers working full time as an assistant at an oral surgeory office (DMD, and DDS) so I know how busy doctors can be so I don't feel right calling them randomly. I guess I'm just curious how some of you went about setting up your shadowing. I was thinking maybe I could type up a letter and asking someone at the front desk to deliver it to the doctor? Also, did any of you shadow your family doctor? Mine is super cool and said he would write me a LOR. I'd like to shadow him but i'm not sure if its appropriate to ask your family doc either. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks

 

[Nebmuse]

Just ask somebody you know. Be honest about your level of education. I would be sure to let them know when you are asking that you understand that they may be really busy and it is okay for them to say no if they aren't comfortable having a student. This gives them an 'out', although most physicians are happy, even excited, to have you tag along and if they aren't, they'll tell you.

The worst thing that can happen is they tell you no.

 

[DrB]

Just tell them that you are interested in going to medical school and it would mean a lot to you if you could watch them work. Be very flexable, and very humble, you just want to observe a physician in action.

 

[willthatsall]

Just roll up on him and be like, "Ay Yo, let me peep you, son."

 

[dinesh]

That would be my approach 🙂

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Hi. I have wanted to shadow for some time now and I finnally have the time this summer to fit it into my schedule. I want to contact some doc's this week but I am not really sure how to go about doing this. I spent 2 summers working full time as an assistant at an oral surgeory office (DMD, and DDS) so I know how busy doctors can be so I don't feel right calling them randomly. I guess I'm just curious how some of you went about setting up your shadowing. I was thinking maybe I could type up a letter and asking someone at the front desk to deliver it to the doctor? Also, did any of you shadow your family doctor? Mine is super cool and said he would write me a LOR. I'd like to shadow him but i'm not sure if its appropriate to ask your family doc either. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks

If you are near a medical school and would like to shadow a doctor there, try this.

1. Figure out what type of doctor you would like to shadow.
2. Call up the academic office of the department.
3. Nicely tell the secretary who answers what your story is and what type of doctor you'd like to shadow. Give them your email address, cellphone number, etc. Alternately, do the same thing to a large private practice of doctors in the specialty your interested in.
4. Either they will have someone call you back OR they may ask you to write them a letter telling them what you are interested in. If they don't try another department, etc. Most will help you out.
5. AFTER you meet with a doctor you are going to shadow, or after you've started shadowing them, send them a handwritten thank you note.
6. Please, please, have a meal before you go off to shadow someone who does long rounds or who works in an OR/DR setting. I've had many premeds faint after 2 hours of NICU rounds (really!!! - it's almost a rite of passage). I've learned to ask them first if they've eaten breakfast.
7. Also, please dress professionally for rounding. No jeans, mid-body exposing clothes or open-toed shoes. If in doubt, ask the doctor you are shadowing what to wear.
8. In general, it is better not to shadow your own doctor - find someone else or ask him/her to recommend someone.

Regards

OBP - who is currently well into his second 100 or so premeds who've shadowed him.

 

[JamesNunez]

Go to your family physician and make up a batch of symptoms, then while in the exam room ask if you can shadow. My first shadow experience happened somewhat like that, only I was being seen for a real problem. 😀

 

[AcousticDoc]

Just ask them politely and don't kiss their ass.

 

[quarterhorsecol]

Good advice people, thank you. What do you guys think about the letter approach that I described? My only problem here is meeting docs whom I do not know and asking at the right time. I like the approach that oldbearprofessor suggested and I'll give that a shot, but i'm interested in shadowing Family Practice docs and most of the ones in my area run a private practice. I would think a letter would be more courteous than just walking into their office like "Ay Yo, let me peep you, son." (that made me laugh my ass off by the way lol)

 

[quarterhorsecol]

Just to clarify my question, I really need to know how to approach FP's in their private practices.

 

[JamesNunez]

Write a formal letter, and then deliver it personally to the docs office and ask the receptionist if she could kindly see to it that Dr. Blah blah gets this letter. Then walk out of the office, but be sure not to slam the door, slowly close it. If you are in a building, be sure that no one is following you.

 

[gujuDoc]

When I set up shadowing both for myself and for my AED members, I did so by going to the institutions med school professors whom were residency directors. i did this through going to the VA affiliated with our med school and talking to the volunteer coordinators. I, however, think I lucked out. The best thing is talk to people affiliated with med schools, cuz they'll be more friendly about it. Either that or ask a family friend.

 

[DrB]

Then walk out of the office, but be sure not to slam the door, slowly close it. If you are in a building, be sure that no one is following you.