Shadowing a Physician Assistant.. worthwhile?

[Evergrey]

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Hey guys,

I shadowed an orthopaedist a few weeks ago, and I'm going in to his office again today. He's out of the office today so I'm going to shadow his PA... I'll be observing post-op appointments.

I was wondering if people thought that this was a worthwhile enterprise (should I go in in the future if the Dr. is out?) or if I should just focus on shadowing the person with the MD degree? Gimme your opinions guys 🙂

 

[dr zaius]

It's still a clinical experience. I would continue to go in even if the doctor is out.

 

[MedicineMike]

first person I ever shadowed was an ortho PA and man did I learn a lot. They do pretty much everything for the physician (in an outpatient clinic). It also helped me learn about what exactly the MDs do.

You get some serious one on one time with the patients when you shadow the PA. Do it, and see how you like it. It can't hurt.

 

[Dissected]

Ya man, it will give you a better idea of what their job is like AND if ever in an interview you get asked "why not PA?" you can bust out with "well, when I shadowed a PA this one time..."

I got this one in two interviews; spending time around PA's helped me discern what responsibilities each profession has and why I chose one over the other 👍

 

[MedicineMike]

Ya man, it will give you a better idea of what their job is like AND if ever in an interview you get asked "why not PA?" you can bust out with "well, when I shadowed a PA this one time..."

I got this one in two interviews; spending time around PA's helped me discern what responsibilities each profession has and why I chose one over the other 👍

FTW!!!!!

 

[pietachok]

I agree w/ the above. It is still clinical experience AND it makes you look respectful of the other health professions and like you wanted to make sure you were making the proper informed decision.

One of the main reasons for shadowing is to make sure you aren't applying to med school when you don't really know what being a dr. is really about...it will be compelling that you ruled out similar health professions based on experience not guessing, and you will have a better idea of the interaction of PA's and MD/DO's. This will be increasingly valuable as PA's and NP's are playing an ever more important role in areas of healthcare shortage.