... have been awesome! I have spent several days in the OR watching procedures and surgeries. It is really cool! I recently saw several laproscopic surgeries, where the surgery is conducted through only 3 small incisions to the abdominal wall, instead of the conventional single large incision.
The abdomen is then inflated via an "insuffulator" to distend the abdominal wall from its contents, and a camera and laproscopic tools are used to repair the abdominal wall from the inside.
In addition to time with the surgeon, I also got to hang around a bunch with the anesthesiologist, and chat about various topics. Similar to EMS, airway management is a very important part of anesthesiology, and I enjoyed sharing my own medical experiences with him, and getting further useful tips. He even offered to let me do intubations on the next patients if I see him again in the OR. I was flattered by this offer, no doubt.
One thing that has helped my shadowing experience immensely is having prior healthcare exposure/knowledge. Instead of being told "here is the trachea, and I am going to put a tube in it," I can actually ask questions of my own such as about intubation technique, how to manage a difficult airway, etc.
In addition to the OR, I also got to spend time in the office, which is more relaxing than the high-pressure feeling that the OR gives off. It is enjoyable to see a patient's positive outcome, and I believe it is also important part of a physician's life to see.
Every time I go, it leaves me more and more inspired to become a doctor! I believe that is what shadowing is supposed to be...
For those of you looking for a similar experience, be prepared to seek unconventional avenues to find physicians to shadow. Another valuable tip is to find someone away from a major city/university where there are a million eager premeds waiting. Then you too can have a really cool experience!
The abdomen is then inflated via an "insuffulator" to distend the abdominal wall from its contents, and a camera and laproscopic tools are used to repair the abdominal wall from the inside.
In addition to time with the surgeon, I also got to hang around a bunch with the anesthesiologist, and chat about various topics. Similar to EMS, airway management is a very important part of anesthesiology, and I enjoyed sharing my own medical experiences with him, and getting further useful tips. He even offered to let me do intubations on the next patients if I see him again in the OR. I was flattered by this offer, no doubt.
One thing that has helped my shadowing experience immensely is having prior healthcare exposure/knowledge. Instead of being told "here is the trachea, and I am going to put a tube in it," I can actually ask questions of my own such as about intubation technique, how to manage a difficult airway, etc.
In addition to the OR, I also got to spend time in the office, which is more relaxing than the high-pressure feeling that the OR gives off. It is enjoyable to see a patient's positive outcome, and I believe it is also important part of a physician's life to see.
Every time I go, it leaves me more and more inspired to become a doctor! I believe that is what shadowing is supposed to be...
For those of you looking for a similar experience, be prepared to seek unconventional avenues to find physicians to shadow. Another valuable tip is to find someone away from a major city/university where there are a million eager premeds waiting. Then you too can have a really cool experience!
