Shadowing Physicians

[Arijos0222]

How do I go about shadowing a good surgeon in my area? I am a Junior and I have been trying to look for a surgeon to shadow. However, I asked an orthopedic spine surgeon and I went to the local neurosurgical group practice and they both denied my request. How would I go about asking and actually accomplish the task of shadowing?

 

[Winged Scapula]

It may be regional or hospital specific, but none of the facilities where I have privileges will allow HS or college students in the OR with me; they must be medical/PA students or residents/fellows. In this day and age of liability and HIPAA, regulations are getting stricter.

You may have more luck in a non-surgical private practice.

 

[Arijos0222]

But Orthopedic Surgeons do a lot of clinical work as well. Would it be possible to shadow an ortho when he/she is not in the OR?

 

[zipnogg]

make a list of physicians and call them all to ask if they would allow shadowing.

i was lucky enough to shadow a general surgeon for about a year (not private practice), but towards the end of that year the hospital was getting all iffy about my being there.

you just have to be persistent.

 

[phikapdoctor]

Search the threads, the question has been asked numerous times.. Worst comes to worse cold call physicians


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

 

[Winged Scapula]

But Orthopedic Surgeons do a lot of clinical work as well. Would it be possible to shadow an ortho when he/she is not in the OR?

Of course, all surgeons have clinic.

As noted above, you just have to be persistent and some may let you in the office (but there may still be HIPAA issues, although I would venture most in PP wouldn't care) and possibly the OR.

You could also broaden your search - why does it have to be an arthropod? What is your goal in shadowing - its to learn more about a medical practice, right?