Shadowing experience advice

[Vee9]

Hi everyone,
I found a place to shadow an optometrist and I'm wondering what advice you guys have for building a good relationship with the doctors and staff. This will be the first time I shadow a doctor.
Should I hand in my resume/CV and thank-you card on the first meeting?
When will it be appropriate to ask about recommendation letters?
Other than asking about their education path, what other questions did you ask the doctor?
I'm excited and nervous so any help would be appreciated!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[suprastang]

If you see something interesting happening, ask questions, go home and research whatever it was, then come back the next time and ask more questions about it. Show them that you're genuinely interested in what they're doing and not just there to sit around for 10 hours a week then ask for a recommendation letter.

Ask about ocular diseases: ARMD, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma.
Ask about their views on Optometry vs Ophthalmology.
Ask them about anything you think is interesting that's related to the field.

The more interest you show and the more initiative you have toward learning while shadowing, the better your rec letter is going to turn out.

Good luck!

 

[sbopt87]

No you don't need to give them a resume. They will usually just come out and ask what have you done, any work experience and why you are interested, and don't worry it isn't an interview, they are just wanting to to get to know you.

Then all you do is observe them. Ask them questions you think are good questions to ask, if you find something interesting or you are curious about. Most will be nice enough to show you things through the slit lamp. Ask them about the patient they just saw, if they had glaucoma,cataracts, ARMD, etc?

Then once you get comfortable and get time between patients, ask about them. Like where they went to school, why they picked that school, and what they liked about the school. You can also ask for any advice on things you could do to help you get in. One of the doctors i shadowed introduced me into programs and other doctors i may be interested in shadowing. Whether it be a Low vision specialist or even an ophthalmologist.

Most schools say they want you to shadow for atleast 30 hrs. So I would wait around that time, or around the time you feel you are done learning all you can learn from them. And ask, later in the future would you mind writing a letter. And most are happy to do so. Just be sure to keep in touch with them.