Questions about shadowing/interview

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gtone20

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I was wondering if anyone out there could give me a little bit of information about what goes on when you shadow a DO and what i can expect to do the day i'm shadowing(example what i will be able to do with the DO, what i am most likely unlikely to be permitted to do,etc). Also I was wondering if what is appropriate to wear to an interview (example, pin striped suit, plain or colored shirt, etc). Any responses would be appreciated...GOOOOD LOOK

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I would just wear a shirt and tie. Don't expect to do too much. The new hippa regulations have made it hard for physicians to grant students to shadow them.
 
It really depends on the personality of the person you're shadowing. Some will interact with you like mine did, some you will literally be a shadow. However, you won't be able to *dO* anything other than watch and/or talk.

Have fun.
 
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I shadowed quite a few different physicians and each one was different in thier approach and what to expect.

When I shadowed IM I was introduced as a prespective medical student and I just kinda listened to the patients that we saw and afterwards he would explain to me what he was thinking and what medications they were on and the interactions. So...it was a lot of sit and watch.

When I shadowed a peds....I got to do a lot of sit and watch but I also go to help out a little in reading labs.

Yet another FP doc gave me a white coat had me follow him around and let me take a patients history but he always was watching closely.

Each one of my shadows was a great experience. Most were sit and watch but I was also very interactive with my gracious hosts. Maybe it was that I have been a paramedic for a long time or the fact I am very comfortable in the health care field but I went in expecting nothing but to learn how the daily activities of that speciality worked, yet I got to see and do a lot. Go and have fun.

Only one of my shadows (out of about 7-9) asked me to sign something for HIPPA. Surgeons couldn't let me shadow them in surgery but most were more than willing to talk to me or to have me come by their office for pre/post surgry check-ups.
 
I shadowed the asst. PD for IM at a local hospital and it was great in that it was in an academic environment. I was able to talk to med students, pharmacy students, attending pharmacists, residents, and attendings while attending rounds everyday for the whole summer. Let me tell it was quite the group. I learned sooo much. Asking questions, being questioned. In the afternoons I did research and or shadow a DO at a semi-urban clinic or shadow a DO at his private practice. Sometimes attend lectures, morning report, pharm. lunches, etc. Some will just stand by and let you observe. Some ask you questions. Some ask you if you have any questions. It varies. Because it was in a hospital I was able to scrub in and view a surgery, spend a few overnighters in the ER, and see an autopsy. The best part about it was I realize now I do not think I want to do IM, Pathology, or Surgery but would enjoy ER.
Try to search for hospitals that have some academics and find a D.O. within to shadow. Chances are he/she know many people who you can shadow to get a taste of as much as possible.
Good luck

Raptor5
 
As far as what to wear at an interview. Well that is up to you. I wore a std. navy blue suit with a blue-green shirt and grey tie. Shirt and tie is a good thing but it depends on your taste. BE YOURSELF but yet maintain a bit of conservatism (is that a word). I do not think the Christian Troy look is too bad if you can pull it off. I would not wear pinstripes b/c I do not like looking like a pimp. and that is how I think I would look if I wore one. Just make sure whatever you wear is clean and pressed not too outrageously colored and fits. Personally I hate ties but I wore one b/c I felt it to be unprofessional in an interview. I can tell you when it comes time to do 3rd&4th year rotations I will try not to wear a tie as much as possible. But thats me.

Good Luck

Raptor5
PCOM Class of 2008
 
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