Shadow an surgeon

[fly1346]

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I was just wondering, is it possible to be able to shadow a surgeon, and actually be able to scrub in with them to the OR. How would one go about achieving this. It might be a crazy thought, but I want to do something different than the typical ER volunteer...where honestly theres not much to do. Busy doctors dont really care about a volunteer so much, if at all..

What would you guys suggest. Considering theres a hospital on my campus, should I just mass e-mail some surgeons, and ask them If i can shadow them??

 

[merc280]

I would volunteer in a hospital and then ask if you can Shadow them. I'mgonna try doing that, because frankly I'm sick of working in the hospital Pharmacy. In my opinion that has nothing to do with proper premedical school work.

 

[154465]

I was just wondering, is it possible to be able to shadow a surgeon, and actually be able to scrub in with them to the OR. How would one go about achieving this. It might be a crazy thought, but I want to do something different than the typical ER volunteer...where honestly theres not much to do. Busy doctors dont really care about a volunteer so much, if at all..

What would you guys suggest. Considering theres a hospital on my campus, should I just mass e-mail some surgeons, and ask them If i can shadow them??

I tried that and it didn't work. You usually can't just email them either, you need to go through their secretaries and all that fun stuff. My brother was able to watch surgeries during high school because of a program the school offered. I was pretty much told the only way to do it is if my school had a program that allowed me to shadow a surgeon. I dunno about your specific situation but I guess emailing some hospital volunteer departments couldn't hurt.

 

[crunchymilk]

I just asked an orthosurgeon if I could shadow him / scrub in. He said yes, just needed a simple OK from the patient's parents. Then again I did know the surgeon (fixed my arm), but I don't imagine it being that difficult with an unknown surgeon.

 

[0Complications]

Yeah, it's doable. I scrubbed in for two surgeries at a private hospital by my place.

I volunteered there and interned for school (that program was awesome!).

I'm also going to watch a neurosurgery over break and the docs told me that they have an open door policy for pre-med and med students.

My advice is to start calling around. Find out the names of the surgeons and ask for them directly, then when asked to take a message state that you're interested in shadowing them and that you're pre-med, etc..

It's a law of averages, if you call enough one will finally bite.

 

[Vihsadas]

I tried that and it didn't work. You usually can't just email them either, you need to go through their secretaries and all that fun stuff. My brother was able to watch surgeries during high school because of a program the school offered. I was pretty much told the only way to do it is if my school had a program that allowed me to shadow a surgeon. I dunno about your specific situation but I guess emailing some hospital volunteer departments couldn't hurt.

I got to do it in University. Then again, I also met the surgeon as a guest lecturer in a course, and offered to help him write a review article.

 

[Geekchick921]

It's a law of averages, if you call enough one will finally bite.

That basically sums up the entire application process, too, doesn't it? 😉

To the OP, the only thing I can add is that there are a few hospitals in my area that have pre-med volunteer programs. If you can find something like that around, they seem pretty damn cool to me. You will volunteer in the ER, but they include the opportunity to scrub in to watch surgeries. The ones in my area even do a weekly seminar-type thing where you get to sit down with docs and talk about applying, med school, residency, etc.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I was just wondering, is it possible to be able to shadow a surgeon, and actually be able to scrub in with them to the OR. How would one go about achieving this. It might be a crazy thought, but I want to do something different than the typical ER volunteer...where honestly theres not much to do. Busy doctors dont really care about a volunteer so much, if at all..

What would you guys suggest. Considering theres a hospital on my campus, should I just mass e-mail some surgeons, and ask them If i can shadow them??

By the way, there's a difference between scrubbing in with a surgeon and just shadowing one in the OR, staying a few feet away from the patient. Scrubbing in is a much bigger deal. I think the other posters here have the right idea; try to talk directly to a surgeon.

 

[baldwingrl89]

I shadowed a general surgeon and was able to watch the surgeries a few feet from the patient (near the anesthesiologist), but I wasn't asked to scrub in. I would suggest just calling up doctor's offices or e-mail if you get info on that. You'll have to go through their secretaries but leave them a message and mentioning shadowing. Usually if a doc has been shadowed before he/she won't mind and will actually return your call.

 

[Drogba]

I've scrubbed in and provided minor assistance (retractor holding, suture snipping, suctioning) on multiple surgeries, all outside the USA but with an american trained double boarded GS/Plastics dude. Regulations are a lot more relaxed in Europe. The US is way too uptight when it comes to these things but I'm pretty sure you can find some opportunities depending on the hospital and surgeon. I plan on approaching an ortho surgeon in the spring. What I really wanna do is take some trauma call with a surgeon but I've not yet made any real efforts to do this.

 

[shevie]

Do you know any surgeons? I first "shadowed" an orthopedic surgeon (stood by the anesthesiologist and watched), but after doing that for two days, he let me scrub in too. And over winter break one year, I shadowed a neurosurgeon, that was really cool. So if you know any surgeons socially (or if your parents do), or if youve ever seen a surgeon (ie as a patient), that might be someone to ask
Also, I was doing clinical research one summer and worked with two vascular surgeons. I asked one of them if I could "shadow" him and so basically before I started in the mornings, he said if i wanted to come early, I could accompany his team on rounds and stuff, and then, If i finished what I needed to do, I could scrub in on his afternoon and evening surgeries. I did this like 3-4 days/wk for the entire summer. It was an AMAZING experience and i really gained alot from it!!
But my point is that neither of those experiences came about due to volunteering. But then again, most of my volunteering experience was in assisted livings, nursing homes, and hospices, so not many surgeon encounters there...

 

[bwonger06]

Scrubbing in is very hard to achieve. Most of the time you have to find a very cool surgeon who will let you because it usually is against hospital rules for no trained people to scrub in because scrubbing in is a big deal.

 

[cofcemt]

I agree with the others, the only way I have really heard of anyone scrubbing in to a surgery is to know them or at least know someone who knows them. I have scrubbed in on a lot of surgeries, but that is because the ortho that I work with invited me to come watch. Really funny, cause he ended up doing my knee surgery about a year afterwards.

I would suggest trying to volunteer or do research in the surgical department and try to connect with some of the surgeons to basically get invited to watch, then hopefully eventually scrub in.

 

[Maxprime]

I would strongly discourage asking to 'scrub' on procedures. A lot of physicians will let you 'observe' (not gowned up, not scrubbed in), but most US hospitals have very strict rules about who's allowed to scrub (med students are allowed to, not pre-meds).

I've done both contacting a surgeon and via volunteering. Volunteering was cool because I got to see a ton of varied procedures, but contacting a surgeon personally gives you a much better contact that's interested in you.

 

[Drogba]

I would strongly discourage asking to 'scrub' on procedures. A lot of physicians will let you 'observe' (not gowned up, not scrubbed in), but most US hospitals have very strict rules about who's allowed to scrub (med students are allowed to, not pre-meds).

I've done both contacting a surgeon and via volunteering. Volunteering was cool because I got to see a ton of varied procedures, but contacting a surgeon personally gives you a much better contact that's interested in you.

I think this is nonsense. The worst that can happen (assuming you've established an amicable relationship with the surgeon) is him telling you its against the regulation or he doesn't feel comfortable allowing you to scrub with him. You get nowhere in this hustle (or life in general) if you are afraid to ask and pursue opportunities aggressively. Just be appropriate (ie don't appear in the OR scrubbed up shouting at the nurse to get your gown and you size X gloves so you can get the show on the road. This might get you arrested.)

 

[45408]

I think this is nonsense. The worst that can happen (assuming you've established an amicable relationship with the surgeon) is him telling you its against the regulation or he doesn't feel comfortable allowing you to scrub with him. You get nowhere in this hustle (or life in general) if you are afraid to ask and pursue opportunities aggressively. Just be appropriate (ie don't appear in the OR scrubbed up shouting at the nurse to get your gown and you size X gloves so you can get the show on the road. This might get you arrested.)

If you don't have a clue what you're doing, I don't really think that scrubbing in will be of any value. Your interviewers in med school certainly won't be impressed, because they've all done it countless times.

 

[Blade28]

Scrubbing in is very hard to achieve. Most of the time you have to find a very cool surgeon who will let you because it usually is against hospital rules for no trained people to scrub in because scrubbing in is a big deal.

Very true.

"Scrubbing in," i.e. donning full sterile garb (gown and gloves) is tricky because then there's a possibility you'd contaminate the sterile field (patient).

Much easier to just wear scrubs, mask and cap and be in the OR to observe.

 

[Drogba]

If you don't have a clue what you're doing, I don't really think that scrubbing in will be of any value. Your interviewers in med school certainly won't be impressed, because they've all done it countless times.

Who cares? I've enjoyed scrubbing into the procedures I've been apple to assist on at least as much as any other medical experience I've had. Whether it impresses anyone else or not is a different story. Frankly, I don't think making peoples' bed in the ER is that impressive. Scrubbing in entails experience surgery first hand and more importantly having access to a wealth of knowledge ofr an uninterrupted period of time. I've spent 60+ hours talking to the surgeon i work with one on one. Thats invaluable. Also, you can read prior to procedures if you know what they are and review the relevant anatomy and you've got a much better idea whats going on.

 

[45408]

Who cares? I've enjoyed scrubbing into the procedures I've been apple to assist on at least as much as any other medical experience I've had. Whether it impresses anyone else or not is a different story. Frankly, I don't think making peoples' bed in the ER is that impressive. Scrubbing in entails experience surgery first hand and more importantly having access to a wealth of knowledge ofr an uninterrupted period of time. I've spent 60+ hours talking to the surgeon i work with one on one. Thats invaluable. Also, you can read prior to procedures if you know what they are and review the relevant anatomy and you've got a much better idea whats going on.

That's great, but asking to scrub in is probably going to be more likely to have a surgeon refuse the shadowing overall. If you're already there, you can ask if you want, but you might not want to request the whole enchilada all at once.

 

[Drogba]

That's great, but asking to scrub in is probably going to be more likely to have a surgeon refuse the shadowing overall. If you're already there, you can ask if you want, but you might not want to request the whole enchilada all at once.

Oh definitely. Just like any other relationship you have to establish a rapport first and feel things out. Unless you find a surgeon drunk at a bar.

 

[StarTrack]

I work in a research lab and my boss is a neurosurgeon. I asked him if I could see a case; he was really nice and agreed. I got to see him remove a brain tumor yesterday. It was sick! (sick as in awesome) Ok, I know that doesn't really answer your question, but I think that an important thing to remember is networking, making connections. Networking is just as an important in having a successful medical career as it is to having a successful business career. I suggest that you seek out and look for opportunities where you can get in close proximity with a surgeon. If your school has a volunteering or shadowing program in which you can enroll, then that helps out a lot. If not, try volunteering in an area where you'll be likely to bump into a lot of surgeons.

 

[neuro1617]

You have to find a cool/relaxed doctor to shadow in general, but especially for surgery, if you really want to get to see & do things. One doctor at a hospital I emailed wanted a resume from me with paperwork all redone (I already had it filled out since I'm a volunteer there and had shadowed before), a short paragraph about why I'd want to shadow her & a list of dates I'd be available to see if they'd coincide with hers. The other doctor I emailed let me come every day whenever I wanted, go on inpatient rounds, help out with really cool stuff & see/hear whatever I wanted & actually wanted me to learn things. She just said to show up. It was very awesome👍I shadowed a few of the residents too & helped out w/ a LP...and I usually stayed teh same # hrs the med students did. I wish I could do it every day🙂

 

[Blade28]

One day when I'm an attending I'm going to have people shadow me all day long, every day. Ha ha ha the power!

🙂

 

[DiverDoc]

I have been pretty fortunate to have actually "scrubbed in" on I'd say about 20 or so surgeries. The very first time I got a steril lesson from the scrub nurse just as a precaution for being in the OR. Then the surgeon came in and told me to scrub in and gown up. My role besides getting a front row seat has been holding richardsons or hemastats while the surgeon did his thing. Very neat though. 👍

 

[CoolSpot7Up]

I scrubbed in with an urologist to watch him use the da Vinci system. I saw an article about him on the hospital's website, and called his office and asked his secretary if I could shadow him. I said I was a pre-med interested in surgery and if I could contact him. She emailed me back with his info, and after sending him a brief email about myself, he said he'd be more than happy (I never had known him before, just saw an article about him).

When I got there that day, I expected to just watch from afar, but he actually asked me to scrub in. He also let me play around on the da Vinci for a min when the operation was done and the machine was sitting on the side (not in the patient of course, haha). In between the surgeries, he also bought me lunch, which was much appreciated.

He was a pretty young guy, and played rap and hip-hop music through the OR speakers during the two 3-hour surgeries. I guess you have to find the right people to let you get that kind of experience. 🙂

 

[Springhill Mike]

I was just wondering, is it possible to be able to shadow a surgeon, and actually be able to scrub in with them to the OR. How would one go about achieving this. It might be a crazy thought, but I want to do something different than the typical ER volunteer...where honestly theres not much to do. Busy doctors dont really care about a volunteer so much, if at all..

What would you guys suggest. Considering theres a hospital on my campus, should I just mass e-mail some surgeons, and ask them If i can shadow them??

ya i did it for like 6 months when i was a senior in high school and went to or w/ 2 different doctors but the dude i shadow is a good friend of my dad's and he is an electriction at the hospital. most doctors surgeons dont like you to long term shadow them like i did because it is inconvient for them since they are explaining everything they are doind and you dont under stand most ot it

 

[Textuality]

I shadowed a reconstructive surgeon, and while he offered to let me observe surgeries, I actually declined. I spent most of the time shadowing him in clinic, seeing patients at their many follow ups. I got to observe the doctor-patient relationship develop over multiple visits (and the surgeon was awesome in explaining the cases, and sharing his insights and thoughts) and the before and after of the procedures (which were sometimes very drastic). I really can't emphasize how much I learned about communication skills, compassion, consulting...all the things that make a quality physician and a strong doctor-patient relationship. And I also got to watch the same patients heal and cope over time, which was also pretty amazing and uplifting.

I guess what I'm saying, is don't feel bad if you don't get to watch the surgeries. It's not like they'll teach you a procedure, mostly what you'll do if just watch, which is really cool, but I don't know what you can say you honestly learned from it. You're observing a set of mechanical skills for the most part. I've observed some surgeries, and they're amazing to see, but I think I've gained more knowledge about being a physician from shadowing in clinic, and having contact with (conscious) patients 🙂 Just my two cents I suppose.

Good luck though in trying to find what you want!

 

[DoctorPardi]

Scrubbing in is hard to do for a lot of reasons. Anytime you touch the patient you are a liability, and presumably you will touch or somehow be involved in the patient's "care" while scrubbed in. So for a surgeon to either get you on the hospital's insurance or to take the risk himself etc. is asking a lot in some cases.

You'll get way more benefit in my opinion by shadowing/volunteering with a doctor during office hours. Especially a surgeon because, while you will not see the procedure you will understand the big picture of the surgery. The actual operation is simply the means to an end, a process. What should be of particular interest is what you're doing, and why you're doing. You can learn those things from a surgeon during office more readily in my opinion than during surgery because he is occupied during surgery. Whereas in office he has time in between rooms where he can give explanations.

 

[MattD]

When I was an undergrad i observed a number of TKAs, THAs, scopes, saw a lap-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, nose job, T&A.. It was a pretty cool experience. It was through a program my university had set up with a local hospital, which is how i got to see such a wide range of things, I didn't know the surgeons i'd be shadowing any given day, and they likely didn't even know they'd HAVE a shadow 🙂 Previous posters are right, you'll likely be situated outside of the sterile field standing on tiptoes to see what's going on, so if you have a choice you either want big open procedures like joints, or scoped procedures so you can watch the tv. the exception for me for staying far away was a.) on the facial stuff i saw, they didn't care too much if i got close. there's no such thing as a sterile oropharynx ;-) Also I'd had several intelligent conversations with the same orthopod about the instrumentation he was installing and how the body would react in different situations (I'm an engineer), and at one point i guess he decided i'd earned a peak so he had the scrub nurse get me gowned and gloved and let me come examine the hip he had put in this lady's hip and see the anatomy and all. Not the same as being scrubbed in at all, and i didn't touch ANYTHING, and it was only for like a minute then I was banished again, but still pretty cool.

I also did some shadowing in a peds office where 3rd year rotations are done, which was cool as I was kinda accepted into the fold. You can definitely see more and ask more questions in that environment than in the OR.

My experience was that the pods were nice but very busy, general surgeon never spoke to me, the ent guy I shadowed was pretty nice and laid back, the anesthesiologists were ALL laid back 🙂

 

[Vihsadas]

I think you guys are confusing 'scrubbing in' with just being in the OR and watching. I've watched a bypass surgery inches from the patient but I was not technically scrubbed in even though I was in a gown and mask. I was just behind the sterile field where the anasthesiologist was and my first instruction was not to cross the sterile field. I didn't, and I got to watch from right above the patient. It was pretty damn sweet.

 

[centersharpie]

It is possible to do... I am actually going to be following a neurosurgeon in Janurary. You should call al the hospitals in your area and see if they have a specific shadowing program. The hospital is also the med school teaching hospital, so they had a specific program. I found out about it, applied, and got it. At this hospital you can shadow surgeons or regular doctors. So you just have to ask around.

Ps. There are also some hospitals who require volunteer hours before you can shadow... so just keep that in mind

 

[wanabdoc]

It is possible to do... I am actually going to be following a neurosurgeon in Janurary. You should call al the hospitals in your area and see if they have a specific shadowing program. The hospital is also the med school teaching hospital, so they had a specific program.

Yeah, a teaching hospital near my place has pre-medical students regularly shadow physicians. They even have a form you fill out and you choose which kind of doctor you want to shadow, kinda like ordering at jack-in-the-box.