Question about shadowing multiple physicians

[anonymous441210]

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Hello,

I am a college student considering applying to medical school in the future. As such, I've been shadowing at a pediatric ER this summer. Instead of shadowing just one doctor, though, the doctor who supervises the shadowing in this department told me that I'm supposed to go up to any attending/resident/medical student and ask if I can shadow them. I'm finding this to be pretty awkward and anxiety-inducing, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to approach these doctors or students and ask if I can shadow.

The thing is, I have asked a couple of them if I can shadow them, and they've been really nice about it and said it was fine, but then when they go to see a patient, they don't tell me to come with them, and I'm unsure whether it's expected if I follow them or if they forgot about me and I should ask them again. I feel really annoying and obnoxious going up to a bunch of doctors and asking them on the spot if I can shadow them. Could anyone give me advice on what specifically I should say when I ask them? I'm technically a volunteer, I suppose, but since I don't actually have any volunteer duties, I'm not helping with anything, and really just asking everyone else for favors, which makes me feel like I'm just in the way.

I've really got to do something about this, though, because last time I was there, I literally stood there for 5 hours without doing anything and it was incredibly awkward. Any advice would be much appreciated. I was also thinking I should consider trying to find a primary care doctor to follow around not only to see a different side of medicine but to be able to interact with one specific doctor.

Thank you in advance!

 

[NCKSD]

Be more proactive. Ask the doctor if you can shadow them/follow them around for the next hour. Introduce yourself professionally and say you are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. When they start moving, (if you haven't already) ask them if its okay to follow and go see the patients with them. After you've seen a few, thank them for their time and ask if they recommend shadowing anyone else, they'll usually know which doctors are busy or have interesting cases on them and like students.