Shadowing Dilemma

[bol312]

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So I've been shadowing an orthopaedic surgeon for the past 3 months now, and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what he does on a day to day basis. However, I want to start exploring other surgical fields. Is it awkward or rude if I were to tell the doctor i am shadowing now that I want to start shadow someone else? Will this make me look bad? How should I tell him? Advice appreciated.

PS: I will be starting medical school in the fall at the same institution as I am currently shadowing.

 

[CrimsonKing]

Just let him know that you want to shadow other fields to learn more about them. It might help if you ask him if he has any buddies in other fields that you should shadow.

 

[Mako555]

thank him for everything and ask if he has friends in other specialties that you could contact. I don't see why he would be upset.

 

[Aerus]

So I've been shadowing an orthopaedic surgeon for the past 3 months now, and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what he does on a day to day basis. However, I want to start exploring other surgical fields. Is it awkward or rude if I were to tell the doctor i am shadowing now that I want to start shadow someone else? Will this make me look bad? How should I tell him? Advice appreciated.

PS: I will be starting medical school in the fall at the same institution as I am currently shadowing.

He won't be upset. Doctors know that there's only so much you can learn from shadowing. As the others have said, thank him politely for everything and tell him you've learned so much from him.

Then ask him to see if he has doctor friends in other specialties. Someone in primary care would be ideal.

EDIT: Realized you were accepted already. Reading Comprehension fail. Just thank him and enjoy yourself. There's no need to shadow anymore.

 

[pre med 2014]

You don't have to shadow any more after getting accepted to med school

 

[plumhill]

So I've been shadowing an orthopaedic surgeon for the past 3 months now, and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what he does on a day to day basis. However, I want to start exploring other surgical fields. Is it awkward or rude if I were to tell the doctor i am shadowing now that I want to start shadow someone else? Will this make me look bad? How should I tell him? Advice appreciated.

PS: I will be starting medical school in the fall at the same institution as I am currently shadowing.

Since you're already in med school, you can tell him that he's been a tremendous influence/inspiration/etc, but that you want to enjoy the rest of your time in undergrad, prepare for med school, or whatever else. You can say you want to shadow other people if you want, but you honestly don't have to do that anymore...you're going to med school!!