shadowing - not broad enough?

[crystal87]

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Hey guys,

I was searching around the forums, but wasn't able to find a straight answer to a question i had on shadowing physicians.

Pretty much all of my shadowing experiences were with neurologists/neurosurgeons. I'm a neuroscience major, so this is what interested me most, and my undergrad program had a good relationship with the neurology dept. at the university hospital.

so do you think this will make me look like I had a relatively narrow experience shadowing? Granted, it's a big field, so I got exposed to a wide variety of sub-specialties (pediatric, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's...)
But the consensus I think is to shadow over a range of specialties, which of course makes sense...

And also, might as well ask, I did volunteer in the ER, in which I got to observe operations in the trauma room (really amazing experience). Could I classify this as shadowing, even though I didn't have a designated doctor that I shadowed?

as always, I appreciate your input!

 

[BiopsychStudent]

When browsing the WAMC forum, on several occasions, I've seen Catalystik mention that shadowing a primary care provider is important.

 

[ucbsmd]

If neuro is your interest and you want to broaden your shadowing experience, neuroradiology and ENT(not quite neuro, but still the head) are other places to look.

If you have time, doing some primary care shadowing might be a good idea as well.

 

[Uisa]

Ideally, people shadow variety of physicians (in different fields) to have a broader sense of the medical field and to see if they can find a particular field that interests them.

In your case, you seem to already know what field you're interested in - also, as you mentioned, you have been exposed to other fields through neurology. I think this is good enough for shadowing IMO. The important part of shadowing is to understand what doctors do on a daily basis and to see if it's something you like to do as well. If you have accomplished both areas, then there is really no reason to go out to do more shadowing for the sake of doing it.

I would focus more on volunteering where you are able to interact with patients and actively participate (in a legal/minor form) in giving care. I think these experiences are much more meaningful and give you substantial amount to talk about during interviews. Good luck.

 

[just one]

Not once did I get asked who or what specialties did I shadow. They will be more interested in what you gained from the experience

 

[zaq]

.

 

[just one]

Neither, didn't mention it except in personal statement. Just eluded to the fact I shadowed, no specifics

 

[CrunchBerries]

I would think shadowing a couple different doctors would be better because, many people end up going into different areas when in medical school.

 

[just one]

I would think shadowing a couple different doctors would be better because, many people end up going into different areas when in medical school.

The point of shadowing is not to help pick your future specialty, it's just to show the committee that you have first hand knowledge of what physicians do on a daily basis. One specialty is fine, multiple is ok too. Just make sure you get something out of the experience. You guys are way over thinking this process. Something all pre meds do at one point or another