Shadowing and Volunteering Advice

[MDwannabe09]

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So I talked to both my general doctor and my sister's orthopedic surgeon and both say, that because of new confidentiality laws, I can't shadow them or doctors they know in a hospital. Is this just a Kaiser/Mercy thing or California or are they crazy? My doctor suggested that I get a volunteer position in a hospital and then maybe I could weasel my way into shadowing someone, but I don't know where to go for that either...So I have several questions: How do I go about finding a volunteer position at a hospital? Do you have to be 18(I turn 18 in a few weeks anyways)? Is it remotely possible for me to shadow someone anytime soon? And anyone have any general advice for me?!

 

[tmlayl]

From my experience, shadowing a doctor at a hospital is near impossible (the main hospital near me only deals with students affiliated with that hospital). I cold called doctors and ended up shadowing at private practices ONLY. I live in Tennessee, and I'm unaware of any new confidentiality laws, but the doctors seemed more comfortable around me after I said I had previously been HIPPA trained through volunteering. I'd suggest calling private practices, and if you have no luck, volunteer at a hospital and speak to some doctors there. As far as your age goes, certain hospitals have special volunteering programs for high school students, so maybe you could try that?!