Shadowing a pathologist...short or long term?

[DopamineNYC]

I dont have any long term shadowing experience (anything that goes beyond a couple of days) and from among the many specialists Ive contacted at the hospital where I also work at, a surgical pathologist and neurosurgeon both said they would be happy to have me shadow and asked how long I would like to shadow.
How should I respond? I am interested in neuro and I've never shadowed a pathologst before. Is it worth doing long term for both?
And how often...?

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[TBV]

Do you love microscopes, stains, and being a dork? Spend lots of time with the pathologist.

 

[kmp0410]

I wouldn't do that long because it will probably be boring.

Admins can correct me but I don't see much increased value in shadowing someone more than a couple days. Unless there is great variety in one they do and you are seeing clinic, surgery, hospital care, etc. The idea of shadowing (imo) is learning what doctors do/getting an idea of what its like to become a doctor.

 

[eteshoe]

You can do both short term (~5-15 hrs each). Any more shadowing than that isn't necessary, find a couple other specialties to follow.

 

[mimelim]

12 posts, 7 new threads, off to a strong start...

~15-30 hours would be a good starting point unless you had a particular interest in pathology. I think that that is true for most non-PCP physician shadowing.