Shadowing a resident

[TexasSurgeon]

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Hey guys,

So I have a pretty good opportunity to shadow a resident. First off, that's still considered shadowing right? I've seen other threads about this, and it seems like residents just have busier work and end up doing all the grunt work of their attendings so I feel like it'll be a great experience.

I connected with this resident while volunteering at my hospital's ER. He let me assist in an amputation (my role was small but it was awesome!). He said he's cool with me shadowing, but he doesn't know how it would be done, since he's affiliated with the medical school.

My real question is this: Is it okay to still shadow a resident who is associated with a hospital without the hospital/medical school really being formally informed of it? He doesn't know how he would do so, and neither do I. However, since I'm a volunteer at the hospital he is at, I'm aware of all the HIPAA crap and etc. If I were to shadow him, however, I wouldn't be able to wear my volunteering uniform and badge, since I'm not really volunteering at the time I'm shadowing (although that would be cool).

Honestly, I kind of want to just meet up with him in the hospital and walk around with him, I just don't want to risk formalities.

On a side note, all the ortho docs are awesome. 👍

 

[Catalystik]

1) So I have a pretty good opportunity to shadow a resident. First off, that's still considered shadowing right?

2) Is it okay to still shadow a resident who is associated with a hospital without the hospital/medical school really being formally informed of it? He doesn't know how he would do so, and neither do I. However, since I'm a volunteer at the hospital he is at, I'm aware of all the HIPAA crap and etc. If I were to shadow him, however, I wouldn't be able to wear my volunteering uniform and badge, since I'm not really volunteering at the time I'm shadowing (although that would be cool).

1) Yes.

2) There are some facilities, like private clinics, which will be fine with you wandering about so long as a staff member is taking responsibility for you and you've been generally introduced, but my experience has been that most large medical establishments like you to look legit, with a name tag and all (though not a uniform).

I suggest you discuss the situation with the volunteer coordinator and follow his/her suggestions.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

1) Yes.

2) There are some facilities, like private clinics, which will be fine with you wandering about so long as a staff member is taking responsibility for you and you've been generally introduced, but my experience has been that most large medical establishments like you to look legit, with a name tag and all (though not a uniform).

I suggest you discuss the situation with the volunteer coordinator and follow his/her suggestions.

He's not exactly in a clinic. He's basically making arounds in a gigantic hospital. We went from the ER to the Children's wing to do a consult and then to the orthopedics section to do another, so it's more like him wandering about the hospital doing his stuff. I could technically get away with using my hospital volunteer card/tag since we're both at the same one, but I wouldn't want to risk that.

Do you mean to discuss it with the volunteer coordinator to see if I can use my tag while shadowing him? I don't see how the volunteer coordinator could help in this case. Could you please elaborate?

Edit: But yeah I am shadowing a physician in a clinic where no formalities are needed since I'm under the doctor's responsibility.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Do you mean to discuss it with the volunteer coordinator to see if I can use my tag while shadowing him?

2) I don't see how the volunteer coordinator could help in this case. Could you please elaborate?

1) Yes. It's possible the same issue has come up before and the answer will be an easy, "Yes, no problem." If the answer is , No," you will likely get the information about where to inquire next.

2) One of my local facilities requires that shadowers fill out all the paperwork, get the training, and wear a badge, just as if they would be providing service as a volunteer (though they do not). If this is true at the hospital you mention, the coordinator will know about it, and you are already done.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

1) Yes. It's possible the same issue has come up before and the answer will be an easy, "Yes, no problem." If the answer is , No," you will likely get the information about where to inquire next.

2) One of my local facilities requires that shadowers fill out all the paperwork, get the training, and wear a badge, just as if they would be providing service as a volunteer (though they do not). If this is true at the hospital you mention, the coordinator will know about it, and you are already done.

Thank you for your help Catalystik! I'll email my coordinator and see how she takes it.

 

[survivordo]

This is a great opportunity. I hope you are able to take advantage of it. I think shadowing a resident will give you a point of view that you wouldn't necessarily get with shadowing an attending. They are also closer to the "process" of applying to med school so can likely offer some advice there.

Survivor DO

 

[yehhhboiii]

I liked shadowing with residents more than with attendings. We kinda skipped over the whole telling people and getting permission thing although I had to go home once because he was working with a vice-chair of something that day. He was in his last year and had time to explain stuff to me as he did them. It was an enjoyable experience.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

This is a great opportunity. I hope you are able to take advantage of it. I think shadowing a resident will give you a point of view that you wouldn't necessarily get with shadowing an attending. They are also closer to the "process" of applying to med school so can likely offer some advice there.

Survivor DO

Agreed. Residents are always overworked, but they're closer to the medical/premed students probably because of their age and stage in career.

I liked shadowing with residents more than with attendings. We kinda skipped over the whole telling people and getting permission thing although I had to go home once because he was working with a vice-chair of something that day. He was in his last year and had time to explain stuff to me as he did them. It was an enjoyable experience.

I love shadowing the residents. They're so much more fun. I feel like I can be more casual with them. I basically just want to skip telling everyone of the formalities, but then again, I don't want to be liable. I'm pretty sure the resident that is letting me shadow him doesn't care at all.

 

[DrHa]

Hey guys,

So I have a pretty good opportunity to shadow a resident. First off, that's still considered shadowing right? I've seen other threads about this, and it seems like residents just have busier work and end up doing all the grunt work of their attendings so I feel like it'll be a great experience.

I connected with this resident while volunteering at my hospital's ER. He let me assist in an amputation (my role was small but it was awesome!). He said he's cool with me shadowing, but he doesn't know how it would be done, since he's affiliated with the medical school.

My real question is this: Is it okay to still shadow a resident who is associated with a hospital without the hospital/medical school really being formally informed of it? He doesn't know how he would do so, and neither do I. However, since I'm a volunteer at the hospital he is at, I'm aware of all the HIPAA crap and etc. If I were to shadow him, however, I wouldn't be able to wear my volunteering uniform and badge, since I'm not really volunteering at the time I'm shadowing (although that would be cool).

Honestly, I kind of want to just meet up with him in the hospital and walk around with him, I just don't want to risk formalities.

On a side note, all the ortho docs are awesome. 👍

I'm not sure a hospitals associated with medical schools allow for shadowing. I know Parkland (With UTSW) has a strict no shadowing policy. Maybe because they're already so busy with 3rd and 4th years, but not sure.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I'm not sure a hospitals associated with medical schools allow for shadowing. I know Parkland (With UTSW) has a strict no shadowing policy.

Sorry- I meant medical school. Some hospitals are affiliated with med schools and this resident is affiliated with the medical school and rotates through the hospital. So he's kind of representing the med school on his white coat.

 

[armybound]

Sounds like a great opportunity. Really it's the resident's job to figure out if you can legally shadow, imo

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Sounds like a great opportunity. Really it's the resident's job to figure out if you can legally shadow, imo

Yeah, and but the resident has no idea on how it even is started...if he responds to my email hopefully I'll know more O.O

 

[mvenus929]

I'm not sure a hospitals associated with medical schools allow for shadowing. I know Parkland (With UTSW) has a strict no shadowing policy. Maybe because they're already so busy with 3rd and 4th years, but not sure.

As with everything, it just depends on the hospital. Our hospital has no problem with it... I've run into more than a few pre-meds shadowing, especially since getting into the hospital the past year and a half.

 

[I Love Cats]

Shadowing a resident was awesome, granted mine was a 5th year. He was still in his education and was aware of how much everything benefited me, probably much more than an attending who was long gone from their pre-attending schooling. I'd say any level of residency is fine, but the further along they are, the better for you.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Sounds like a great opportunity. Really it's the resident's job to figure out if you can legally shadow, imo

Shadowing a resident was awesome, granted mine was a 5th year. He was still in his education and was aware of how much everything benefited me, probably much more than an attending who was long gone from their pre-attending schooling. I'd say any level of residency is fine, but the further along they are, the better for you.

Haha the resident still hasn't replied to the email I sent him about a day ago....fingers crossed on this...

this is how it usually happens...the attendings/residents rarely reply to emails...and this guy gave me his personal (non .edu) email address