I've done a good amount of shadowing since I became interested in medicine, but it has been almost all surgery (orthopedics and ophthalmology) related, because that's just where I've found doctors willing to let me observe them. It seems like medical schools are very gung-ho about primary care, and I'm worried that this will make it look like I'm only interested in specializing (which isn't necessarily true). On top of that, it's looking like I'll be doing an internship in orthopedic research when I graduate. How important is it to show that you're interested in primary care? I feel like primary care visits are more personal than surgical consults, so I would field a little weird following a primary care doctor around.
Shadowing Primary Care Physicians?
- Thread starter phunky
- Start date
- Joined
- May 22, 2008
- Messages
- 17,394
- Reaction score
- 9,129
I would recommend shadowing a PCP if only for your own enrichment. Surgery and the surgical subspecialties provide a very different perspective of medicine that isn't accurate for most of the non-surgical fields.
No one is going to care if you have PCP shadowing or not. You don't need to get PCP shadowing simply to demonstrate an interest in primary care. However, you should do it to further your own understanding of medicine and gain a more realistic look at the profession.
No one is going to care if you have PCP shadowing or not. You don't need to get PCP shadowing simply to demonstrate an interest in primary care. However, you should do it to further your own understanding of medicine and gain a more realistic look at the profession.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2012
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
Honestly, I got nailed at an interview for having unbalanced shadowing in specialities- for the same reason as you, those were the docs I knew and that allowed me to follow them around. I got the feeling the interviewer made in incorrect conclusion about me just based on that (ie they were 'concerned' about this part of my app)
I actually do have some primary care exposure but obviously not enough
- Joined
- May 22, 2008
- Messages
- 17,394
- Reaction score
- 9,129
Honestly, I got nailed at an interview for having unbalanced shadowing in specialities- for the same reason as you, those were the docs I knew and that allowed me to follow them around. I got the feeling the interviewer made in incorrect conclusion about me just based on that (ie they were 'concerned' about this part of my app)
I actually do have some primary care exposure but obviously not enough
I think you can "counter" this concern by making it clear that you have a broad and informed perspective about the medical profession. If it's apparent that you're speaking only from the perspective of a particular specialty, you would likely be in a bit of trouble.
Then again, there are probably also people who are just prejudiced against specialists and will hold a grudge. Who knows.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2012
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
I agree completely... I just hope I was able to make my case about understanding the big picture after it was brought up
Primary care shortage is tremendous just showing an interest is a huge plus to the adcoms. Also it is definitely somewhat awkward shadowing a pcp very personal and you will feel out of place for the first few visits. Just smile and dont say much greet very energetically and thats about it really. When you find someone with similar interest or hobbies make sure you are vocal and friendly so the doc can see that you have at least some social skills and give you a recommendation.
