Question for physicians about shadowing a surgeon

[Owlie]

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For those of you who are physicians - how willing are you, and other surgeons in general, to allow a mature pre-med student to observe/shadow you and your work? How should a student respectfully and properly approach or contact a surgeon regarding observing/shadowing them?

I didn't find much on this upon a search. If I missed anything, I apologize. Thanks in advance!

 

[Winged Scapula]

You didn't find anything about this here because non-residency and practice related questions are moved out of the forum.

Moving to the Pre-Allo forum.

FWIW, I am open to the idea of a pre-med shadowing me but:

1) most ORs will not allow non-medical students in the room (so you will spend half the week doing nothing)
2) in private practice patients are somewhat less interested in having students, especially if I can't introduce you as a medical student or resident

 

[cheechootrain]

You didn't find anything about this here because non-residency and practice related questions are moved out of the forum.

Moving to the Pre-Allo forum.

FWIW, I am open to the idea of a pre-med shadowing me but:

1) most ORs will not allow non-medical students in the room (so you will spend half the week doing nothing)
2) in private practice patients are somewhat less interested in having students, especially if I can't introduce you as a medical student or resident

Unless it's a teaching hospital and you know someone. For example, I was able to shadow about some operations because I knew one of the doctors personally and it was a teaching hospital so one more student was fine. But other ORs I've tried and asked wouldn't allow me to shadow. So it depends on the doc.

GL!

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Unless it's a teaching hospital and you know someone. For example, I was able to shadow about some operations because I knew one of the doctors personally and it was a teaching hospital so one more student was fine. But other ORs I've tried and asked wouldn't allow me to shadow. So it depends on the doc.

GL!

I had a similar experience. If you want to shadow in an OR, your best chances will be at a teaching hospital. You might try your luck with the hospital affiliated with the closest medical school and see how they respond.