Question about shadowing

[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!

 

[guylewis]

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[guylewis]

You're there, and you were invited to be there for the purpose of shadowing. Think of it this way: It would be insulting for you not to do what you're suppose to be there doing. I know it can be a lot of anxiety to ask and you might feel like you are bothering the residents but remember, you are there to learn and once again you were invited to be there! so start the day off and introduce yourself to the doctors, let them know you are there to shadow and learn so that you can hopefully become a doctor one day....and tell them from the beginning that you will follow them around and that they should let you know under what circumstances you shouldn't.

Communication is the key. You want to be a doctor, so you need to learn how to be both assertive and also able to communicate with others what it is you're doing. whether it's talking with patients or talking with other doctors or whatever

 

[anon12380]

Confidence. It's amazing how many physicians will actually talk with you if you simply state, in a very concise manner, that you are here to shadow--tell me when I can ask and tell me when to step back.

Having confidence alone has allowed me to actually have some very insightful conversations and experiences.

The second thing: be concise. Physicians have too much on their plate to hear a soliloquy of who, where, and what you are doing. Keep it simple. I too have been shadowing this summer, close to 80 hours, and it has been a truly wonderful experience.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Confidence. It's amazing how many physicians will actually talk with you if you simply state, in a very concise manner, that you are here to shadow--tell me when I can ask and tell me when to step back.

Having confidence alone has allowed me to actually have some very insightful conversations and experiences.

The second thing: be concise. Physicians have too much on their plate to hear a soliloquy of who, where, and what you are doing. Keep it simple. I too have been shadowing this summer, close to 80 hours, and it has been a truly wonderful experience.

I agree with this. Definitely converse with the person you are shadowing. The first doctor I shadowed for 60 hours, he taught me some basics of internal medicine and took me on rounds with his medical students. I was also bought to daily medical conferences but didn't have a clue what was going on. I regret not asking more questions after those conferences

My second experience of 40 hours of volunteering was a lot more interesting. I shadowed an interventional cardiologist and got exposed to open heart surgeries and various other procedures. I've done research for this doctor in the past and have a publication with him in high school. He's well known to write really great ECs for students applying to medical school.

Both of these doctors were MDs however, I need to shadow a DO doctor sometime in my last two years.

Current ECs:
120 hours volunteering at a hospital
130 hours on side assistant for EMT trucks (~90 hours) and paramedic trucks (~30 hours).
40 hours of filing at a doctor's office.
Part of some national honors society.
Actively involved with ACS (American Chemical Society) at my school.
Research for the past 1.5 years (getting a publication most likely in the Fall).
Plan on adding on:
1) Medical Brigades- Travel abroad for a medical mission (go with a doctor and help treat patients in foreign countries).
2) I might get involved with pre-SOMA at my school but I've heard they barely do anything.