Shadow an Epidemiologist?

[Medicinewoman85]

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I know I NEED to shadow a physician and I plan to within the next few months. My question is will shadowing an epidemiologist at the Center for Disease Control add something interesting to my application? I'm trying to be creative with my app and I am thinking about different ways to gain some type of exposure. Do you think this is pointless or could it have some type of benefit. I was thinking that maybe it could lead me to being apart of some type of research.

 

[HoltMD]

I know I NEED to shadow a physician and I plan to within the next few months. My question is will shadowing an epidemiologist at the Center for Disease Control add something interesting to my application? I'm trying to be creative with my app and I am thinking about different ways to gain some type of exposure. Do you think this is pointless or could it have some type of benefit. I was thinking that maybe it could lead me to being apart of some type of research.

Well, if you are planning on doing an MD, MPH (epidemiology route), this could be a valuable experience.

 

[Narmerguy]

Shadowing an epidemiologist would probably involve you sitting behind him at his desk all day. From what I've learned about epidemiology, you won't get much from shadowing. Doing the research is a different matter (or attending conferences).

Shadowing an MD/MPH is also a different matter because they actually do a lot of interaction with patients that translates into their epi work--which is cool. But you can go for it I guess? It certainly won't hurt you.

 

[thomallama]

I can't see how that would be a rewarding experience, especially today. I know someone who works as an epidemiologist at the CDC. This person says that the environment there is very on edge and frantic due to government cutbacks, etc. However, it would help, as has been said, for a joint degree with the MPH.

 

[Medicinewoman85]

My uncle is the epidemiologist and he did tell me he spends alot of time behind his desk, but on the days that he is doing research and community involvement I could go with him to gain some exposure to at risk youth and the homeless. He is involved heavily with infectious disease research, especially aids.

 

[candav]

Epidemiologist is not a clinical profession, so I'm not sure what shadowing one would add to your application. If you're interested in exploring this area, a much more fruitful option would be to take on an active role in public health/epidemiology research.

 

[sector9]

This just sounds like a boring experience not a helpful one. Even if you do decide to do this, make sure you shadow for ~50 hours in a clinical setting

 

[varsityblue]

If you have an internship at the CDC, I don't see why you shouldn't take it. That said, many posters on here--Candav, for example--were able to get in amazing medical schools without shadowing and simply having a lot of other, rewarding clinical experiences.

 

[LizzyM]

My uncle is the epidemiologist and he did tell me he spends alot of time behind his desk, but on the days that he is doing research and community involvement I could go with him to gain some exposure to at risk youth and the homeless. He is involved heavily with infectious disease research, especially aids.

Go for it! This would be an amazing experience!

 

[equinsu ocha]

Go for it! This would be an amazing experience!

I agree. Take every opportunity you can get and make the most of it. An epidemiologist may not be a physician, but they are an important part of the healthcare team. Even if you don't like it, it was a great experience because you can rule that out as a career path. And definitely go with your uncle when he goes out into the community to interact with people as this can be a great discussion point on an interview/personal statement.

 

[Medicinewoman85]

I really don't think that this will be a boring experience. I will actually be able to talk to kids about diseases, give free STD tests to the not so fortunate, and just do something positive for someone else. I know it may not sound like the "traditional" clinical experience but I am psyched about doing it. As my uncle explained it to me it is also a great opportunity for me to meet and be exposed to clinicians because alot of his colleagues participate (physicians included).

Thanks LizzyM, VarsityBlue, & Equinsu for the encouragement. I'm trying to think outside of the box and do something that will be meaningful to me (not something to just put on my application)🙂

 

[LizzyM]

When you are asked "why medicine" and "what would you do if you couldn't do medicine" and "what other careers have you considered" you will have a good answer that shows that you have explored other paths and made an informed decision about medicine.