Shadowing Orthopedic Surgeon tomorrow - any advice?

[Sach]

I am shadowing an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow...anything particular I should ask him? Any of you shadowed a doctor in this field and how were your experiences?

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[Karen12345]

Don't think too hard to plan questions in advance. Observe and learn. Most likely, he or she will explain some things to you and questions will pop in your head naturally. Then ask.

 

[armybound]

orthopods are pretty overworked, iirc. you might want to ask him about his satisfaction with his choice to go into orthopedic surgery given the huge time requirement and such.

 

[229141]

I am shadowing an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow...anything particular I should ask him? Any of you shadowed a doctor in this field and how were your experiences?

I shadowed an ortho once. I watched the surgery ahead of time on ORlive.com, reviewed my (relevant to surgery..) bone anatomy etc. It helped a lot and made it far more interesting.

 

[RevivedPreMed]

If you've never seen orthopedic surgery before, bring water and anti-nausea meds.

Hahah jk. But really, most people don't make it through. Don't be embarrassed if that's you.

I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon who focused on sports injuries so it was all fun video game like stuff. He was very satisfied with his job and makes a good living. He was actually on CNN live because he operated on an olympic athlete recently.

 

[229141]

If you've never seen orthopedic surgery before, bring water and anti-nausea meds.

Hahah jk. But really, most people don't make it through. Don't be embarrassed if that's you.

Ya fun power drills and saws!!! They kept warning me I'd get sick but I was just in awe the whole time...seems like a good specialty if you have a lot of aggression

 

[dienekes88]

Reading a tiny bit about the surgery or trying to watch a vid of it is the best prep. That way you have an idea of what happened, what is happening, and what will happen. Otherwise, you'll just get confused. Think about the big picture.

Nobody expects you to know anything, so don't try to memorize a bunch of random facts.

 

[RySerr21]

ive done a lot of work and shadowing with orthopedic surgeons. I enjoyed all my time and got to see some cool stuff. Are you shadowing during a clinic day or gonna be seein some surgery?

I dunno why everyone thinks they need to come prepared with intelligent questions. The doc isnt going to expect to you know bone/muscle anatomy or any specifics about orthopedics.. Just come looking to learn some new stuff and ask questions as they come up when you see patients. It should be a fun time!

 

[mbe36]

-Try to stay away from questions that could be easily answered via Google.

-Alaska21 made a great point about reviewing some anatomy before hand. You are not studying for a final- just give things a glance to refresh.

-HAVE FUN!

 

[Pedsbro]

Keep your hands where everyone can see them and watch for flying bone chips! The joke's on you if you think I'm kidding..

 

[jtimmer1]

I am shadowing an Ortho Surgeon right now. Just refresh yourself on major bones and ligaments/tendons, and hope you don't have to sit through an arthroscopic procedure (they are incredibly boing). Try not to get in the way; Just like the stereotype implies -most- orthopaedic surgeons are pretty arrogant and high-maintenece, but not all. Just enjoy your stay and soak up as much knowledge as possible, it will be a good experience.

 

[kakalak]

I'm not sure if it was just the operating room I was in but it was ridiculously cold in there.unless you'll be right up there under the lights in the action, wear a long sleeve shirt u could wear under scrubs.

 

[doctor712]

I am shadowing an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow...anything particular I should ask him? Any of you shadowed a doctor in this field and how were your experiences?

I posted some advice from a shadowing experience of mine. Here's the link:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7444115#post7444115

HAVE FUN!!!

D712

 

[musicalmedicine]

make sure you wear a face shield!! I shadowed an orthopod during a hip replacement and that shield saved me from splatter.

 

[Perrotfish]

If you've never seen orthopedic surgery before, bring water and anti-nausea meds.

Hahah jk. But really, most people don't make it through. Don't be embarrassed if that's you.

I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon who focused on sports injuries so it was all fun video game like stuff. He was very satisfied with his job and makes a good living. He was actually on CNN live because he operated on an olympic athlete recently.

The first surgery I watched the Ortho made me stand at least my full body length away from the patient for the first part. I asked why, he explained that his last shadow had tried to faint on the operating field. On of the nurses had to catch him.

 

[Tired]

Just like the stereotype implies -most- orthopaedic surgeons are pretty arrogant and high-maintenece, but not all.

Um . . . that's not really our stereotype.

Ortho is usually stereotyped as meat-head, weight-lifting, loves sports, not real smart, tells inappropriate jokes. Kind of like overgrown children.

 

[doctor712]

The first surgery I watched the Ortho made me stand at least my full body length away from the patient for the first part. I asked why, he explained that his last shadow had tried to faint on the operating field. On of the nurses had to catch him.

I've been told by a few very nice surgeons: "And if you feel faint...whatever you do...faint backwards and AWAY from the table."
I eat it up. Can't get close enough.

The shield saved me today a bit too. Though I hate when I get an itch under the mask/shield and can't get to it. Same goes for shield fog or the speck of splatter or hand print in the sightline. I like my observing 20/20. 😱

 

[236116]

Um . . . that's not really our stereotype.

Ortho is usually stereotyped as meat-head, weight-lifting, loves sports, not real smart, tells inappropriate jokes. Kind of like overgrown children.

Hmm.

 

[jtimmer1]

Um . . . that's not really our stereotype.

Ortho is usually stereotyped as meat-head, weight-lifting, loves sports, not real smart, tells inappropriate jokes. Kind of like overgrown children.

True, but most that I have seen/heard of are arrogant and such. Your descriptions are also a stereotype I would suppose.

 

[Law2Doc]

Um . . . that's not really our stereotype.

Ortho is usually stereotyped as meat-head, weight-lifting, loves sports, not real smart, tells inappropriate jokes. Kind of like overgrown children.

Agreed. Orthopod stereotype is the half of the ex-jocks with better board scores (the other half often go into PM&R). They are known to brag about the number of marathons they've run and the amount they can bench. Lots of reminiscing about college athletic prowess. Locker room humor abounds.

In terms of preparing, know terms like valgus/varus, adduct/abduct, etc. because that's the kind of limb manipulation they are going to ask you to do if they let you help. Knowing the muscles and innervation of the rotator cuff, and architecture of the knee and hip will also put you in good stead.

 

[Tired]

In terms of preparing, know terms like valgus/varus, adduct/abduct, etc. because that's the kind of limb manipulation they are going to ask you to do if they let you help. Knowing the muscles and innervation of the rotator cuff, and architecture of the knee and hip will also put you in good stead.

Personally I think that's a bit much for a pre-med to learn prior to a shadowing experience, and while I don't know for sure, I kind of doubt the surgeon would expect them to have a handle on all that.

Some very basic anatomy knowledge is good, though I think specific musculature is probably excessive.

Again, I'm not an attending, but if I were and I had a premed shadowing me, I would most like:

- active interest in what I was teaching (like asking for clarification on things they don't understand)
- simple anatomic knowledge (what type of joint is the shoulder? what are some common things that go wrong with it?)
- good sense of humor and ability to make conversation
- understanding when it is appropriate to talk and when it isn't

But that's just me

 

[236116]

Personally I think that's a bit much for a pre-med to learn prior to a shadowing experience, and while I don't know for sure, I kind of doubt the surgeon would expect them to have a handle on all that.

[... ]But that's just me

You've mellowed out.

 

[Tired]

You've mellowed out.

Not really, I've always made it clear that (in a clinical setting) pre-meds are not meant to be treated the same as med students.

When you're still trying to get in, clinical experiences should be enjoyable, informative, and supportive.

Once you're in the club (and therefore part of the hierarchy), then you are held to high standards and punished with the brutality that is typical of our profession.

 

[Sach]

Update: wow, amazing experience...I followed the ortho surgeon around in his office and saw 20+ patients with him. By far, the nicest doctor I've shadowed. He introduced me to another ortho surgeon. Both said, I could shadow them in the OR for a surgery next week. 👍