Shadowing Question

[deleted862527]

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Hi everyone,

I am looking to shadow a Hematopathologist. I know this is a common question, but do Pre-Meds normally find the Physician's email and contact them there and ask if it's appropriate to shadow them? Or should I only contact the Hospital itself?

Thanks.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to shadow a Hematopathologist. I know this is a common question, but do Pre-Meds normally find the Physician's email and contact them there and ask if it's appropriate to shadow them? Or should I only contact the Hospital itself?

Thanks.

Contact the physicians directly. HOWEVER, do NOT blast the entire department at the same time. Be prepared for a lot of silent rejections or a few kindhearted attendings e-mailing you back saying no. I e-mailed 200 physicians, for 18 responses, 16 Nos, 1 crazy lady responding to me, and 1 attending saying I could shadow him.

Also, focus on shadowing in primary care: the purpose of shadowing is seeing the physician-patient interaction. IM, FM, Peds, are always great departments.

 

[Dandine]

Contact the physician directly (alternatively, secretary if that's the only way they can be reached). If they tell you to contact someone else to arrange a time, they will tell you so first.

Don't contact the entire hospital unless you know for sure they have some kind of set-up shadowing program for undergrads.

 

[reaction mechanisms]

Contact the physicians directly. HOWEVER, do NOT blast the entire department at the same time. Be prepared for a lot of silent rejections or a few kindhearted attendings e-mailing you back saying no. I e-mailed 200 physicians, for 18 responses, 16 Nos, 1 crazy lady responding to me, and 1 attending saying I could shadow him.

Also, focus on shadowing in primary care: the purpose of shadowing is seeing the physician-patient interaction. IM, FM, Peds, are always great departments.

Out of curiosity, how did you manage to stumble upon 200 physician's email addresses?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Out of curiosity, how did you manage to stumble upon 200 physician's email addresses?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

This was over ~15 local hospitals/community hospitals. Medical students often have access to this kind of information 😉 +1 to my homeboy med students at the 4-5 local med schools near me haha

 

[Blessthefall]

I tried diligently to shadow an Oncologist/Hematologist and I got absolutely nowhere. Their work is incredibly sensitive and I was told politely by an attending that it's not likely I'd find one who is willing to put their patients through that exposure.

Good luck.

 

[Dandine]

@Blessthefall (and OP as well) I would venture that pathology would be one of the fields more open to having students shadow given that there isn't as much direct patient contact. Though it would be dependent on the physician asked and the hospitals' shadowing regulations.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

@Blessthefall (and OP as well) I would venture that pathology would be one of the fields more open to having students shadow given that there isn't as much direct patient contact. Though it would be dependent on the physician asked and the hospitals' shadowing regulations.

Because of the lack of patient contact, I think pathology shadowing may not be too fruitful at all.

 

[deleted862527]

Because of the lack of patient contact, I think pathology shadowing may not be too fruitful at all.

For me it would. I am looking into potential specialties in the future, and hematopathology appeals to me the most.

So, to my understanding, Pathologists may be more open to students shadowing them due to lack of patient contact? Is this only a possibility or is this certain?

Thanks for the replies. I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Dr. Stalker]

For me it would. I am looking into potential specialties in the future, and hematopathology appeals to me the most.

So, to my understanding, Pathologists may be more open to students shadowing them due to lack of patient contact? Is this only a possibility or is this certain?

Thanks for the replies. I greatly appreciate it!

OP, I figured you're interested in path, which is awesome. However, I do suggest you shadow another physician along with path, but one with patient contact. Its perfectly fine (and awesome) to explore future careers, but make sure you also get the most out of the activity for admissions purposes as well.

 

[deleted862527]

OP, I figured you're interested in path, which is awesome. However, I do suggest you shadow another physician along with path, but one with patient contact. Its perfectly fine (and awesome) to explore future careers, but make sure you also get the most out of the activity for admissions purposes as well.

Completely understandable!

Definitely will take it into account.

Have a good day! 🙂

 

[Dandine]

@Matrix207 It would really depend on the physician you're contacting. I am not sure about the area you're from or whether your school is in contact with any physicians for shadowing experiences (another possibility if you're trying to find shadowing opps). The reason I brought it up is because the nature of pathology is much less patient-based than other fields, so there may be less of the directly-listening-in-on-patients issue (radiology is similar in this area). Of course HIPAA will still apply in any clinical setting.

Agree with @Dr. Stalker about getting patient-contact field shadowing as well.

 

[jm192]

I called offices when I was pre-med.
Sometimes the staff would politely say no on the doctor's behalf.
Sometimes they'd put me on the phone with the doctor who would explain why it just wasn't possible.
Sometimes the doc was full of rainbows and butterflies and more excited to have you than you were to be there.