Shadowing ER Doctor

[SkittlesSuck]

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I will shadow an emergency medicine doctor next week. It will only be for four hours, however. First, should I wear a tie? Second, what questions should I ask? I will ask him about his daily routine and whether or not he would be a doctor again if he were to go back in time. What else should I ask, specifically about EM? Also, I will ask him if I can come back few more times. How should I ask?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Khakis and a polo/button-down are good enough. Tie is optional.

 

[lcollier7]

I work in the ER and when I first started I often asked the doctors where they did their residency and if they enjoyed it, and if they had considered any other specialty as a 4 th year ( a lot of ppl had various specialities they were interested in) some other fun topics are "what's the craziest thing you have seen in practice?" Etc. as far as specific questions they will prbly come to you during the cases (ex: what type of fracture is this, what's the treatment) what ever you do DON'T ask any questions in front of the patients! Also if they diagnose something like pancreatitis you can ask to see the labs (usually they show you anyway) and ask questions about what the abnormal values mean... Just my 2 cents!

 

[jayoh]

I would think that a tucked in dress shirt would be fine sans tie. As far as the questions go, when I shadowed it was very organic. I got to see a day in the life of an EM doc and just asked questions as they came up. Of course the topic of EM perks and downsides will come up at some point, but I think the important thing is to just soak up the experience and get a feel for what EM is all about. As far as asking about coming back, just ask if they would mind if you come back again. Enjoy yourself! Shadowing is really fun.

 

[altitude]

I agree with the poster above.

I don't think a tie is necessary (too formal).
After the doctor sees the patient (and before the next patient), you could ask questions about things that the doctor did when diagnosing and treating the patient. For example,
-Why a certain test was performed (what would the results of such a test indicate)
-Why a certain medication was prescribed (what's its function in helping the patient)
-What is condition X caused by; what are its main symptoms; what are the main treatment options

You could also ask questions that you already know the answer to (if you can't think of anything to say) or you could confirm something you do know (e.g., "so was medication Y prescribed in order to ...?")

Good luck and don't faint!

 

[Doctor Strange]

I agree with the poster above.

I don't think a tie is necessary (too formal).
After the doctor sees the patient (and before the next patient), you could ask questions about things that the doctor did when diagnosing and treating the patient. For example,
-Why a certain test was performed (what would the results of such a test indicate)
-Why a certain medication was prescribed (what's its function in helping the patient)
-What is condition X caused by; what are its main symptoms; what are the main treatment options

You could also ask questions that you already know the answer to (if you can't think of anything to say) or you could confirm something you do know (e.g., "so was medication Y prescribed in order to ...?")

Good luck and don't faint!

I wouldn't ask these kinds of questions. Shadowing is about exploring your desire to be a doctor, not learning how to be a doctor. There's no point in having the doc explain something that you're either a) not going to understand or b) going to forget about two seconds after he's explained it.

There's nothing more annoying than that gunner pre-med that's always asking about the pathophysiology of a disease and the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of drugs.

 

[sunflower18]

I would ask...
- if their career choice has met their expectations
- how they feel about scribes, whether they have them or not
- academic vs private practice emergency medicine
- how they like shift work / night shifts
- what they wish they had known at my age/stage in medical training

Have fun! 🙂

 

[Doctor Strange]

You should perhaps ask how they feel about the healthcare changes. It's good to get a perspective on how some real docs feel about it, because you're 100% going to be asked at some point on the interview trails about it.

 

[Barcu]

I would wear a tie. Maybe I'm just used to East Coast living, but it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. Most likely, the doc will tell you to lose the tie, and you can just take it off.

I agree with the poster above.

I don't think a tie is necessary (too formal).
After the doctor sees the patient (and before the next patient), you could ask questions about things that the doctor did when diagnosing and treating the patient. For example,
-Why a certain test was performed (what would the results of such a test indicate)
-Why a certain medication was prescribed (what's its function in helping the patient)
-What is condition X caused by; what are its main symptoms; what are the main treatment options

You could also ask questions that you already know the answer to (if you can't think of anything to say) or you could confirm something you do know (e.g., "so was medication Y prescribed in order to ...?")

Good luck and don't faint!

Don't ask these questions. You won't understand anything and it's not the reason why you are there. Observe, ask questions about what they like/dislike, about their motivations, about changes in healthcare and ER medicine, etc.

There is one caveat: be willing to learn if they do try and teach you and feel free to ask questions if you have them. I had one doctor I shadowed who liked to explain things. In that circumstance, it's fine.

 

[Mornhavon]

.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

If you know the doc, I'd say no harm in asking questions about his MDM. Otherwise, I agree to kind of stay in the shadows. Polo and khakis would be fine, that's what I usually see shadows wearing in our ED.

 

[docksan]

Never ask medical questions regarding pathology. It's a waste of time better spent asking what their life is like and how they feel about patients, health care, and their career choice.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[wonderbread12]

am i the only one that thinks that OP should be wearing scrubs? just my .02

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

am i the only one that thinks that OP should be wearing scrubs? just my .02

Yes. 1. It strikes me as a tad dweeby/forward. 2. Hospitals are color coded, we don't need OP getting confused for a respiratory therapist.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Show up in scrubs with a stethoscope and a copy of tintinallis in your bag.

 

[thesauce]

I wouldn't ask these kinds of questions. Shadowing is about exploring your desire to be a doctor, not learning how to be a doctor. There's no point in having the doc explain something that you're either a) not going to understand or b) going to forget about two seconds after he's explained it.

There's nothing more annoying than that gunner pre-med that's always asking about the pathophysiology of a disease and the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of drugs.

I tend to agree. Keep to mainstream things like where they went to undergrad, med school, and residency and why they chose their specialty.

 

[thesauce]

am i the only one that thinks that OP should be wearing scrubs? just my .02

Probably, but not on the first day. I would go all out (with a tie) until they tell him not to.

 

[bfMD1291]

Do not bank on wearing scrubs. When I shadowed in the ER I wore a tie, but the doctor was also wearing a tie rather than scrubs. As far as conversation, just make yourself easy to be around. Ask serious questions every so often, but don't nag. Appear comfortable in the environment, not stiff. Make the doctor enjoy your company.

 

[armybound]

I would wear a tie. Maybe I'm just used to East Coast living, but it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. Most likely, the doc will tell you to lose the tie, and you can just take it off.



Don't ask these questions. You won't understand anything and it's not the reason why you are there. Observe, ask questions about what they like/dislike, about their motivations, about changes in healthcare and ER medicine, etc.

There is one caveat: be willing to learn if they do try and teach you and feel free to ask questions if you have them. I had one doctor I shadowed who liked to explain things. In that circumstance, it's fine.

agreed

Keep your mouth shut (shadowing) and wear a tie.

and agreed

 

[medCR]

I would think that a tucked in dress shirt would be fine sans tie. As far as the questions go, when I shadowed it was very organic. I got to see a day in the life of an EM doc and just asked questions as they came up. Of course the topic of EM perks and downsides will come up at some point, but I think the important thing is to just soak up the experience and get a feel for what EM is all about. As far as asking about coming back, just ask if they would mind if you come back again. Enjoy yourself! Shadowing is really fun.

I agree with this.
I shadowed five different attending physicians in the ER. What I found is that often when they stood up from their bank to do rounds, they didn't cue for me to follow or ask me specifically if I wanted to go with them. Just make sure to establish with your physician whether or not just to get up and follow them regardless of if they give you a cue (hence, be their "shadow"). I wore business casual clothes and comfortable shoes. Hold your questions until outside of the patient's room during downtime between rounds. Stand in the corner of the room and be as out of the way for the nurses, residents, medical students, techs, and attending. The pace of the ER is fast and the last thing they want is to feel like someone is in their way.

Questions I asked each doctor:
-Where they attended medical school, and why they chose that school/what they looked for in a medical school
-Why they chose Emergency medicine
-How a typical day for them in the ER is
-What is the most interesting case they have worked on so far
-If you hear terminology or a treatment being used on a patient, ask them to define it for you or why they chose to do a certain treatment

I saw a lot in the ER, ranging from unknown dizziness, nose bleeds, traumas, etc. Good experience overall so make the most of it.

 

[Granny Watkins]

am i the only one that thinks that OP should be wearing scrubs? just my .02

Some units will provide scrubs and unless told otherwise the khaki's and polo/dress shirt system is best. I've never had to bring/wear my own scrubs, but then again I've only shadowed in two units so far and neither were the Emergency Department. Oh, and don't wear dress shoes. All that walking and standing for long periods....best wear sneakers.

 

[Barcu]

Some units will provide scrubs and unless told otherwise the khaki's and polo/dress shirt system is best. I've never had to bring/wear my own scrubs, but then again I've only shadowed in two units so far and neither were the Emergency Department. Oh, and don't wear dress shoes. All that walking and standing for long periods....best wear sneakers.

DO NOT wear sneakers. You are going to need to find some comfortable dress shoes.

Here is the thing guys, usually you will end up dressing down a bit, especially if the doc does and tells you that you can as well. You may even get to wear scrubs, IF THE DOC TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

Show up on the first day with nice pants, a dress shirt AND tie, and nice shoes.

I hate to pull rank here, but look at the responses so far. Have you noticed all the med students and the resident have said to wear a tie.

WEAR A TIE!

Yes, in the end, you will probably be told to dress down. But do not do that until you are explicitly told to. Medicine is a conservative field and a professional field. Yeah, you may just be someone shadowing, but you should dress the part because you will be seeing patients.

 

[SkittlesSuck]

Ok I'm back! ...first off, i barely had the chance to ask a question...i think i ended up asking like 3-4 things....second, idk if ill be given the chance to shadow again...either he doesnt like me or he meant that he has no time in the meantime which might be a euphemism for NO! lol

ok so....i work in this ER so I im familar with this place...i often speak with patients too...i feel like the only diff between today and any other regular day im there is that i got to follow the doc when he took a medical history...other than that....alot of sitting on the comp, waiting for new patients, waiting for scans/tests to come back, etc....

i do want to shadow a ER doc again just cause 4 hours is very short...i, however, feel like this experience was not too diff than any other day im there doing my own stuff...

if i get a chance to ocme in again and find that once again, i observe/learn nothing new, should I look for something else???

 

[lcollier7]

I would go somewhere else- maybe try urgent care? Sometimes you see just as much and the physicians Have more time to talk with you and mentor you. Personally if I were you I would try to shadow someone else sounds like your guy was not interested in teaching - don't give up hope there are excellent ER physicians I work with them so I know they are out there just need to find them 🙂

 

[docksan]

Make a follow up call to thank him and ask if he knows another emergency physician that you can shadow.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Granny Watkins]

DO NOT wear sneakers. You are going to need to find some comfortable dress shoes.

Here is the thing guys, usually you will end up dressing down a bit, especially if the doc does and tells you that you can as well. You may even get to wear scrubs, IF THE DOC TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

Show up on the first day with nice pants, a dress shirt AND tie, and nice shoes.

I hate to pull rank here, but look at the responses so far. Have you noticed all the med students and the resident have said to wear a tie.

WEAR A TIE!

Yes, in the end, you will probably be told to dress down. But do not do that until you are explicitly told to. Medicine is a conservative field and a professional field. Yeah, you may just be someone shadowing, but you should dress the part because you will be seeing patients.

Do not immediately rule out what I wrote based on your own experiences, because my comment was based on my own experiences and obviously we know now it depends on where you shadow. The hospital where I shadow tells you that its best to wear sneakers and all the shadows I have met do so. Sneakers are not a problem at this particular hospital. Yours is obviously different. SkittlesSuck should contact his/her hospital to be absolutely sure about the dress code.

 

[JPodel]

If he wants you to wear srubs, he will most likely allow you to get scrubbed up before the shadowing begins...

But I brought my AED, First Aid Kit, Stethoscope, ER Care Guide, Medical Coat, Loupes, some Syringes with Blood thinners (just incase), and heavy duty boots on my first shadowing experience!!!!!

Nothing better than being prepared.

 

[Barcu]

Do not immediately rule out what I wrote based on your own experiences, because my comment was based on my own experiences and obviously we know now it depends on where you shadow. The hospital where I shadow tells you that its best to wear sneakers and all the shadows I have met do so. Sneakers are not a problem at this particular hospital. Yours is obviously different. SkittlesSuck should contact his/her hospital to be absolutely sure about the dress code. Why wait until your first day of shadowing to find out what the dress code is? Common sense will tell you to make sure ahead of time.

You missed my point. It does depend where you shadow, which is why you should always be safe. If you have previous experience or knowledge of the what is expected, then you can wear that. But that is because you've been explicitly told what the expectations are, which is the point I was actually trying to make. Don't assume you can dress down (sneakers or no tie) unless you are told. Your hospital said that sneakers were fine, but you shouldn't tell other posters to wear sneakers if you don't know the expectations of the hospital they are volunteering at.

Expect to wear a nice shirt and tie, nice pants, and nice shoes. If there is any doubt, dress like that.

The OP started off asking if he should wear a tie. If you have to ask, the answer is yes, you should.