Preparing for physcian shadowing

[HealthE]

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hey fellow nontrads

So, I am getting a chance to shadow one of the top physicians in one of the fields I am interested in. Anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for my shadowing visits? I have shadowed physicians here and there but this will be a committed shadowing experience. So, I will get a chance to build a relationship with this person. I want to make sure I ask great questions and impress the doc. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Don't ask anything in front of the patient. ask stuff related to what they specifically do. show interest in their work. Don't ask crap like, "how many hours, how much, good days off, etc." Ask questions you don't understand. What is it you are looking at and why are they treating that way. Stuff like that.

 

[Veritas86]

+1 to all of the above.

Key is to ask intelligent questions away from the patient. No, you're not going to know anything. But if its a good doc, he'll be willing to help you grasp it.

My advice is similar. Don't ask about the work environment, if anything, try to learn more about what goes into the specialty and what the doc actually "does."

And congrats, btw. I've loved every shadowing experience I've had. It's definitely a learning experience, but ideally, it'll be something you look back on fondly.

 

[cabinbuilder]

1. DO NOT BE LATE to the first meeting
2. Dress professionally, wear a tie, slacks on the first day. If he says otherwise later on, then cool.
3. Have notepad, pen handy (or electronic device) for questions to jot down, or if he tells you to look something up you can remember it for later.
4. Usually the top folks are VERY BUSY, don't do anything that will slow them down in their day. If they tell you to go home - YOU GO. Sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to have someone tagging with you. I know this from my chief resident days. DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY if you are told to go and come back another day. It may just be a hard day for him. Many times shadowing is keeping your mouth shut and observing until the doc asks you later if you have any questions. Hopefully you will have jotted things down to ask about later.

 

[HealthE]

Thanks for the tips. I am just nervous I will sound stupid. sigh

 

[PMPMD]

hey fellow nontrads

So, I am getting a chance to shadow one of the top physicians in one of the fields I am interested in. Anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for my shadowing visits? I have shadowed physicians here and there but this will be a committed shadowing experience. So, I will get a chance to build a relationship with this person. I want to make sure I ask great questions and impress the doc. Any advice is appreciated.

If (s)he's published anything, read it. At least know a little about his/her research area.

 

[HealthE]

If (s)he's published anything, read it. At least know a little about his/her research area.

Any other tips? I feel like I should have more insightful questions than an undergrad since Im a nontrad.