Shadowing a physician

[woolie]

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I have never shadowed a physician and I am going to be doing that this holiday break. This might be a 'dumb' question but what exactly do you do? I plan to just go and speak to the physicians, listen to what they do and ask questions - regular things, and then watch a few surgeries. I am an MSI and I have other hospital and clinical experience but I guess I am nervous about getting in their way, or how involved you actually become.

What are other peoples' experiences? any ideas or suggestions? I am really interested in the work they are doing but I guesss I am feeling nervous -

 

[felipe5]

I think it all depends on the doctor that you shadow.......some people's doctor actually lets them take an active part through interviewing and examining patients, while others prefer for you to just sit back and observe. Since you mentioned surgery, chances are that you might be doing mostly observation, even though you might even get to scrub in and get your hands dirty if you're lucky. Still, no matter the amount of involvement you find yourself in, take the opportunity to pick the doctor's brain and ask him/her any questions that pop into your mind. I honestly value the opportunity to ask/chat with my mentor about medical stuff as much as I do practicing my exam/interviewing techniques. Have fun, and if you get pimped, don't freak out

 

[anamarylee]

I did a preceptorship with an OB/GYN during my MSI. The best advice he gave me was that the best students are the ones who know when to get in the way: ask questions, but don't be intrusive. If you know he/she's doing an interesting procedure, but he doesn't invite you, ask if he/she would mind you tagging along. The worst that could happen? You don't get to go. It's unnerving at first, but once you start doing it and get to see cool stuff it's like second nature to ask permission before butting in. 😀

 

[care bear]

I have never shadowed a physician and I am going to be doing that this holiday break. This might be a 'dumb' question but what exactly do you do? I plan to just go and speak to the physicians, listen to what they do and ask questions - regular things, and then watch a few surgeries. I am an MSI and I have other hospital and clinical experience but I guess I am nervous about getting in their way, or how involved you actually become.

What are other peoples' experiences? any ideas or suggestions? I am really interested in the work they are doing but I guesss I am feeling nervous -

thanks for creating this thread- i actually have the same question! i am a ms1 and going to shadow in the PICU this saturday. i do have an ongoing preceptorship w/a different doc as part of the curriculum, but i feel like that's different. . .in that situation he knows he is responsible for teaching me something and i know i am supposed to be actively involved. . .but shadowing in the hospital? don't know the 'protocol' for that so i will be interested in hearing responses!

 

[woolie]

These are great responses to my questions! Thanks guys for the input. Hey Carebear, I am with you. Same sort of questions. I actually called the Dr's assistant today and she was really very awesome and respectful and I said to her, I have never done this and so I am not sure what to do! and she was sort of used to the doc's telling HER what to do so between the two of us it was kind of funny.

To be honest, it's really a strange feeling to now be the 'doc-to-be' person and to have, well like this nice admin person be all super respectful to me. 😕 I am not a doctor yet, and I don't know if I will ever have the swagger of a full of themselves kind of person. I think I am still sort of identifying with the admin (I have done my share of office work!) and haven't made the leap to the doctor kind of thinking. I hope I never lose that empathy and respect for admins and cleaners, etc. 😉

She said I should just do whatever was right for me, that I should follow him on his rounds, and ask him questions or whatever. He was out of town today but she will check with him as to what I should expect, but I think that alot of this will depend on the doctor. He's the boss here and how much or how little I see and do will probably depend on him. I'd like to try and keep doing it during next block as well but with biochem coming up I am not sure how I am going to handle all this !

 

[Dr.Evil1]

It is kind of doc to doc with how shadowing works. The good thing is that if this doc is willing to have you shadow then s/he is probably just as excited about it as you are.

Much of your clinical training will be like this where you don't know what the boundries are and are just told to show up and learn. My advice is to jump in and get comfortable for a little bit then push until you see that you might be getting in the way. Docs will never get annoyed with INSIGHTFUL questions and most like the opportunity to teach.

Hope everything goes well and just try to have fun