Shadowing Situation

[Corvid]

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Hey everyone,

I've read contrasting opinions on shadowing (some people say it's an absolute essential, others say it's not necessary - provided you have other clinical experience).

I don't have any experience that is explicitly shadowing (i.e. following a doctor around and watching him/her do stuff). But I do have over 150 hours serving as a clinical assistant of sorts (and over 200 hours volunteering separate from that). What I did was help a doctor administer a treatment on a weekly basis (it was a pretty involved experience with literally direct patient contact). I got to see anything you would by shadowing this doctor (discussion of treatment, patient consultation, etc). I personally think something like this is more valuable than just shadowing alone, but regardless the application cycle is a cruel one and I don't want to be tossed out (again) because my application didn't have shadowing in name.

Thoughts on my situation?

Thanks!

 

[gyngyn]

Hey everyone,

I've read contrasting opinions on shadowing (some people say it's an absolute essential, others say it's not necessary - provided you have other clinical experience).

I don't have any experience that is explicitly shadowing (i.e. following a doctor around and watching him/her do stuff). But I do have over 150 hours serving as a clinical assistant of sorts (and over 200 hours volunteering separate from that). What I did was help a doctor administer a treatment on a weekly basis (it was a pretty involved experience with literally direct patient contact). I got to see anything you would by shadowing this doctor (discussion of treatment, patient consultation, etc). I personally think something like this is more valuable than just shadowing alone, but regardless the application cycle is a cruel one and I don't want to be tossed out (again) because my application didn't have shadowing in name.

Thoughts on my situation?

Thanks!

As long as you frame the experience as direct observation of the doctor/patient interaction you are fine.

 

[Corvid]

As long as you frame the experience as direct observation of the doctor/patient interaction you are fine.

Great! In my (new) personal statement I explicitly talk about how this experience gave me an insight into to physician-patient relationship. To really drive that point home I'll probably add in the experience description that I "had the opportunity to directly observe the physician-patient interaction." Can't afford ambiguity 😀.

 

[Catalystik]

You might also include the word "Shadowing" in the name you give the Experience to be sure it isn't missed.