Physician Shadowing

[Served]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm currently shadowing a cardiologist, but I'm not sure how a "normal" shadowing is supposed to proceed for premeds. I've shadowed numerous other physicians in the past, and each time, all I did was following the doc around to see patients.

Each time, I would just stand in the corner smiling awkwardly while the doc treats the patient. Then I would ask a few questions after each case, and that's it; off to the next case. I feel completely useless every time I go. I mean, is this typical for premeds when shadowing docs?

 

[Ismet]

Yeah pretty much. What were you expecting to do? You're shadowing, not working or volunteering, and you most likely don't have the training or clearances to actually do anything (although many docs will allow you to do very minor things or use a stethoscope or something).

 

[postbacpremed87]

I'm currently shadowing a cardiologist, but I'm not sure how a "normal" shadowing is supposed to proceed for premeds. I've shadowed numerous other physicians in the past, and each time, all I did was following the doc around to see patients.

Each time, I would just stand in the corner smiling awkwardly while the doc is treating the patient. Then I would ask a few questions after each case, and that's it; off to the next case. I feel completely useless every time I go. I mean, is this typical for premeds when shadowing docs?

Attendings are the demigods, only chief residents (your high priests) can go through them...next are your every day priests the interns who have the privilege of conversing with the high priests....that makes 3rd year/4th year med students like your lowly monks that aren't really seen or heard. What does that make you (a speck)? Exactly. You are there to observe the process....no more.

 

[Served]

And how many days or months should a "normal" physician shadowing be enough before I move on to the next physician of another subbranch? I'm sorry for keeping using the word normal; I hate it.

 

[unluckybanana]

Basically move on to a new doctor when you feel that you learned all you could. This could be a few days or a few weeks. For example, I only shadow an internal medicine doctor for 2 days, but I shadow a family physician for about 6-7 times.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Shadows don't do anything; they just follow you around. That's why it's called shadowing. There's no standard for shadowing that needs to be fulfilled. This is an experience for YOU to LEARN something about medicine and about how medicine works. If you feel as if you're not getting anything out of the experience, then you're just wasting your time.

 

[Served]

Thank you so much everybody.