Shadowing surgery question!

[bonvivant07]

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I shadowed a Podiatrist today. It was the first time with this particular Podiatrist. I had shadowed another before, but he was strictly a clip and chip guy so this issue never came up.

So, the new Pod I am shadowing is really nice and really laid back. She mentioned that half of her schedule is surgeries at a surgical center (don't know if there is different rules vs rules at a hospital?). Now, I was wondering how I can come out and ask her if I can shadow in on some of her surgeries? Of course, I would shadow in her office a few more times before bringing it up.

Is there any rules that would prevent her from letting me shadow her in her surgeries? Will I be in the operating room or outside looking me (like on Grey's Anatomy). Thanks in advance!

 

[347932]

I shadowed a Podiatrist today. It was the first time with this particular Podiatrist. I had shadowed another before, but he was strictly a clip and chip guy so this issue never came up.

So, the new Pod I am shadowing is really nice and really laid back. She mentioned that half of her schedule is surgeries at a surgical center (don't know if there is different rules vs rules at a hospital?). Now, I was wondering how I can come out and ask her if I can shadow in on some of her surgeries? Of course, I would shadow in her office a few more times before bringing it up.

Is there any rules that would prevent her from letting me shadow her in her surgeries? Will I be in the operating room or outside looking me (like on Grey's Anatomy). Thanks in advance!

Where I am, a student in college is not permitted in the OR due to malpractice issues that the hospitals and surgery centers impose.

Once you're in podiatry school, you basically have a form of malpractice coverage through the school.

The easiest way to find out is ask her. It's possible if its a physician owned and run surgery center they may allow you to observe in the OR itself. I don't know many places that have those operating room auditoriums anymore.

If you do get a chance to go in there, it's an awesome experience for someone interested in being a surgeon. Almost overwhelming. If I can offer one piece of advice if you do get the chance to go in there and observe...don't touch anything!! 😀

Good luck.

 

[Podfather]

I shadowed a Podiatrist today. It was the first time with this particular Podiatrist. I had shadowed another before, but he was strictly a clip and chip guy so this issue never came up.

So, the new Pod I am shadowing is really nice and really laid back. She mentioned that half of her schedule is surgeries at a surgical center (don't know if there is different rules vs rules at a hospital?). Now, I was wondering how I can come out and ask her if I can shadow in on some of her surgeries? Of course, I would shadow in her office a few more times before bringing it up.

Is there any rules that would prevent her from letting me shadow her in her surgeries? Will I be in the operating room or outside looking me (like on Grey's Anatomy). Thanks in advance!

Just ask her. At our hospital we even have high students who observe surgery (with the patient's permission).

 

[dtrack22]

Just ask her. At our hospital we even have high students who observe surgery (with the patient's permission).

The key word is "observe". I never had problems shadowing (hospital, ASC, surgical suites within an office, etc.). You aren't scrubbing, you stay away from the sterile field, and like Kidsfeet said don't touch anything! But if the pod is good and interested in teaching you about the profession they will make sure you can see and will answer any questions/explain what they are doing during a procedure.

Just ask if there are any procedures that you could "observe". In my experience they looked at their schedule, found an appropriate procedure, contacted the patient to make sure it was ok with them that a student watched, and then gave me (the student) the green light to come observe. Pretty simple.

 

[bonvivant07]

Thanks for all the reply!
Yeah I didn't think I would be able to scrub in, though some of my friends who shadowed MD's have done that before... no idea how they were able to?? I believe it was for a appendicitis surgery.

I will ask her in a few weeks, I remember the scheduling person in the office saying how the doc has some BIG procedures coming up, hopefully I will get lucky!

 

[dyk343]

Thanks for all the reply!
Yeah I didn't think I would be able to scrub in, though some of my friends who shadowed MD's have done that before... no idea how they were able to?? I believe it was for a appendicitis surgery.

I will ask her in a few weeks, I remember the scheduling person in the office saying how the doc has some BIG procedures coming up, hopefully I will get lucky!

It shouldnt be a problem to get into the operating room. I had to submit a CV to "prove" to the hospital that I was a student. After that i just followed the protocols the podiatrist laid out... like others said just basically dont touch anything and stay back a bit... I believe I had to wear a hair net, apron, and face mask.

I would bet the pod invites you into the OR assuming its not crazy laws like Kidsfeet's state. Surgery is a reasonably large part of podiatry and if the pod is taking the time out of her schedule to allow you to shadow I dont see why she wouldnt bring you into the OR. Good luck!

 

[PADPM]

It shouldn't be a problem, but each facility has it's own set of rules. One of the hospitals where I work requires any "guests", including reps who are bringing in screw sets, etc., for my cases to check in at the supervising nurses desk.

And as per the prior posts, it is IMPERATIVE that when you are allowed to observe, you simply find a "safe" place to stand in the O.R. and keep your hands folded!!

Don't walk around or move unless you ask or are asked to move. Then proceed with caution, and as has already been stated, don't touch ANYTHING!!!

Additionally, if for any reason you don't feel well or get light-headed from observing surgery, step back, sit down against the wall and tell one of the nurses.

I have had more than one observer in the O.R. almost pass out. It's nothing to be ashamed of, it does happen. But you must let someone know to avoid injury.

And to answer your original question, simply ask the doctor and I'm sure she'll be flattered and more than willing to have you observe her.