Shadowing Question

[HopefulSlav]

I currently have about 100 hours in the OR. Most of which are in neuro, then orthopaedics and general.

I am quite fond of neurosurgery. I know the surgeon thinks highly of me, and I will probably get a spectacular LOR.

I have some options:
1) A hand surgeon
2) A friend's dad -eye surgeon
3) Heart surgeon- I met him in the OR one day.
4) Friend's dad- OB/GYN

Should I stay in neuro or get some experience in more fields?

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[skais595]

You should get a variety of specialties if you can, 100 hours is plenty for one specialty. Also try to get some primary care shadowing.

I vote 4 but you also need to consider what you would be more passionate about.

I would try to get out of the OR and do some shadowing in another setting. Watching surgery is cool but learning how doctors interact with (conscious) patients is the real benefit of shadowing (in my experience).

 

[FutureMD129]

Although I've never shadowed in the OR as of yet, I agree that getting exposure to a variety of specialties is a good idea. My bio tutor shadowed a neurologist for 400 hours, which she said is overkill but did so because she did research.