Shadowing with HIPPA

[EricH]

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I just met with my new FP doc. I have HMO and I chose her because she is a DO that graduated from the school I wish to attend, COMP, and graduated 5 years ago. After going through the normal history stuff I carefully broached the subject of shadowing. Her reply was that, although she wanted to help me personally, HIPPA laws made shadowing difficult. Her medical group only allows 1 4 hour session and it seems unlike what I have heard described many times.

Has anyone had to deal with this? Should I seek a new doctor to shadow? How did you get to shadow a DO and see what it's REALLY like?

Thanks

Eric

 

[Karina]

I don't know if it was easier for me because I worked at the Hospital already. I knew there was a DO in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Soooo...I asked him if I could shadow him and he was thrilled! (I think it was a bit of an ego boost). He went to NSU, where I will be attending.

We just went around the ER and I was with him when we saw the patients. He would even do a "mini-rounds" thing with me, and "fill me in" the patient's history and why they were there. HIPPA never came up. The patients (and their parents) didn't have a problem with me (I wasn't wearing a lab coat, but I did wear my id).

So..I dunno. Maybe try another doctor?
Best of luck!
Karina

 

[Kazema]

Different docs (and hospitals) seem to take HIPAA differently. Look around for other docs (older docs probably will be more relaxed about it), or else ask again after you know this doc better.

 

[dcratamt]

Different docs (and hospitals) seem to take HIPAA differently. Look around for other docs (older docs probably will be more relaxed about it), or else ask again after you know this doc better.

In my experience the docs that say you cant shadow because of HIPAA are just looking for an excuse to say no. All the physician has to do is tell the patient who you are, and ask the patient if it is alright if you are present during the examination. If the patient gives the ok you should be fine. Otherwise how would anyone ever get LOR from docs?

 

[Elmer]

In my experience the docs that say you cant shadow because of HIPAA are just looking for an excuse to say no. All the physician has to do is tell the patient who you are, and ask the patient if it is alright if you are present during the examination. If the patient gives the ok you should be fine. Otherwise how would anyone ever get LOR from docs?

The doc I shadowed asked me to wear a lab coat. I followed him into the exam rooms then he just introduced me and said 'he is a student that is going to be observing'. I think most thought I was already in med school.

 

[DRJME]

When I am shadowing, the DO ask the pt if I can observe. I have yet to have a pt say no! The Dr says, “BLANK is a (future) DO student is it alright if (s)he observes?” This Dr. has med students and premeds. As long as the pt doesn’t care then you are good to go! As for the DO stating HIPPA laws, a lot of places make you sign a HIPPA compliant agreement. It is simple: I think that clinic doesn’t want to have people shadow. I would ask another Dr.

 

[rustedcj7]

I think you should find a DO who is excited to have you shadow and will actually teach you a thing or two.

You don't have to be a patient - just start contacting docs.

Good luck.

 

[Talula21]

One of the docs I shadowed was at a teaching hospital and so it was a little bit easier. But I did have to go through some HIPPA training and take a little quiz. Then I had to sign a compliance paper. Maybe you could ask if something like that is possible.

 

[misyel]

I just met with my new FP doc. I have HMO and I chose her because she is a DO that graduated from the school I wish to attend, COMP, and graduated 5 years ago. After going through the normal history stuff I carefully broached the subject of shadowing. Her reply was that, although she wanted to help me personally, HIPPA laws made shadowing difficult. Her medical group only allows 1 4 hour session and it seems unlike what I have heard described many times.

Has anyone had to deal with this? Should I seek a new doctor to shadow? How did you get to shadow a DO and see what it's REALLY like?

Thanks

Eric

I found an excellent trauma surgeon to shadow just by going through the ACOS website's directory. In my email, I introduced myself and asked them if it's possible to shadow them. I outlined the things that I wanted to get out of the experience, too. I probably emailed 8 people, and he responded that same day and encouraged me to come and bring other people too. Another person said she'd love to have me, but she just transferred to a different state. She did, however, tell me to contact her if I ever want to do an audition rotation at her hospital. 2/8 ain't bad, right?

The lesson is to just keep trying, because someone out there is bound to help you out. They were students once, too, and I'm sure someone had to open the door for them to get where they're at now, and they're more than willing to do the same thing for other aspiring physicians.

 

[EricH]

Thanks everyone, I was getting the feeling that I ought to keep looking. The whole situation was a little awkward, and she did seem uncomfortable with me asking.

On the flip side she seemed to be a great FP doc. She spent almost a half an hour with me talking about my asthma and considering treatment options. I definately didn't feel rushed. Knowing that she came from the school I want to attend gave me confidence, as she practiced very much as I want to practice.

 

[Fenrezz]

Yeah, you need to look elsewhere. I agree with that one dude who said that the physician was probably looking to get out of a shadowing situation. Just another doctor who got people to help them when they were on their way up, but is now unwilling to do the same for others.

When it comes to physician shadowing, definitely get someone who likes having students there. Nothing worse than shadowing a physician who is ambivalent about your presence. Makes for crappy LOR's, if you can get them to actually get around to writing it.

 

[llort]

I just met with my new FP doc. I have HMO and I chose her because she is a DO that graduated from the school I wish to attend, COMP, and graduated 5 years ago. After going through the normal history stuff I carefully broached the subject of shadowing. Her reply was that, although she wanted to help me personally, HIPPA laws made shadowing difficult. Her medical group only allows 1 4 hour session and it seems unlike what I have heard described many times.

Has anyone had to deal with this? Should I seek a new doctor to shadow? How did you get to shadow a DO and see what it's REALLY like?

Thanks

Eric

she sounds like a selfish b*tch looking for an excuse. try finding a male doctor.

 

[rustedcj7]

I outlined the things that I wanted to get out of the experience, too. I probably emailed 8 people

Good point.

Make sure you the let the doc know up front that you hope to get a letter after shadowing. This will start him/her thinking about it and will avoid that weird moment where you ask just as you are leaving.

 

[akraz13]

It's also possible that the DO felt uncomfortable allowing one of her patients to shadow her and see the intricacies of her practice. It's two different relationships to have: mentor and doctor.

 

[DRJME]

she sounds like a selfish b*tch looking for an excuse. try finding a male doctor.

CLAM DOWN!! One woman DO does NOT discredit the rest of the women in the profession!

 

[MD-iwish]

I agree with DRJME, dont generalize like that. She might have reacted like that because she's a recent grad, I'd agree with the other posters that perhaps an older doc would be more helpful. On the same note, I was wondering if it would be better to shadow a DO in a clinic or hospital? I'm guessing hospital might be more exciting, but then a clinic might allow you to do more stuff. Any ideas? 🙄

 

[OMGWTFBBQ]

I'm going to guess that it would be easier to find someone to shadow in hospital, where patients are expecting to be surrounded by lots of strangers rushing around and/or checking on them, whether they are other patients, allied health, police, EMTs or students. FP clinics seem like more intimate environments....I've thought about asking my FP about shadowing, he's a really easygoing, mellow guy...but I don't think he or his patients would be as comfortable with it, compared to even a smaller hospital or an on-campus university clinic. FP would probably be more relevant though, since it probably emphasizes the differences in DO philosophy.

Anyone have good advice on how to approach a DO about shadowing? There's a couple where I volunteer, but they always look busy/distracted with ER patients so I haven't worked up the nerve/found an opportunity to introduce myself and ask.