Shadowing woes

[Swagger]

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Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone else was having problems shadowing DPM's. It seems the local hospital does not allow job shadowing any more, and this has turned all the DPMs off to it as well (Still waiting to hear back from one Doc). I am very intersted in pursuing podiatry, but how am i suppossed to really know if no one allows shadowing? /sigh

Oh and i am aware of the mentor program on the AACPM, i just not sure I want to drive 90 minutes to meet with one.

 

[Feli]

It can be tough if you are in an area where there just aren't many pods around. I had that problem when I was a pre-pod. Four pods in my home town:

-one said his clinic doesn't allow shadowing (even though I worked at that hospital/clinic system lol)
-one said he'd only let me shadow once I was a pod student (uh, no real point as I'd be 2000mi away)
-one never returned my phone messages and voicemail
-finally, a nice younger guy in private practice let me get in for a couple weeks and helped me learn a lot

You just have to keep trying. Whether it really is their insurance/hospital/clinic policy not to have students or they are just blowing you off is uncertain. Still, be nice, and don't hold it against the next guy you call if the last one you talked to was short or snobby. You will find a place. Hopefully you won't have to travel, but if you do really get stuck, consider the Temple or OCPM mini-internship programs. The AACPM mentor network is a huge addition that was either non-existent or in its infancy when I was pre-pod.

 

[NatCh]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone else was having problems shadowing DPM's. It seems the local hospital does not allow job shadowing any more, and this has turned all the DPMs off to it as well (Still waiting to hear back from one Doc). I am very intersted in pursuing podiatry, but how am i suppossed to really know if no one allows shadowing? /sigh

Oh and i am aware of the mentor program on the AACPM, i just not sure I want to drive 90 minutes to meet with one.

Shadowing in the office might give you more of an idea of what day-to-day podiatry is like than shadowing in a hospital. None of the local podiatrists have invited you to their office?

Nat

 

[whiskers]

Got sprayed by a couple of podiatry skunks trying to keep you away from their toe market eh??

You probably will have to drive and here is the link for the other pre pods on this forum who may not know about the aacpm mentor link to find a willing DPM to talk to and learn about the professin from.

My advice is travel the 90 miles, it will be well worth it for you to see what is going on in our profession.

Before I shadowed my mentor, who was young, well trained and full of life, I never really fully understood that podiatry was serious medicine and surgery just like the other guys who play doctor.

As Feli said, the other option is that some of the schools have summer internships where you get to spend a couple days at the school and see what DPMs do and you get the benefit of seeing the school too, but I'd be careful about which one I picked.

http://www.aacpm.org/contactpod/default.asp

 

[OSUDDS]

hey... good to see a positive post from you whiskers!

(at least for the most part - what summer program are you wary of and why?)

 

[JEWmongous]

There's only two short summer internships...Temple and OCPM. Then there is the 5 week "pre-matriculation program" offered by NYCPM.

 

[Swagger]

Thank for the advice guys, I just heard back from the other Dr. it was a no. Looks like i will be traveling the 90 miles.

 

[PureBlue]

I having been shadowing off and on. I have shadowed this one group of podiatrists that I really like, but I don't want to ask them to come in everyweek or something. I have been calling every month or so to come in and shadow. I have shadowed like 3 days worth so far. I am applying right now and need to get letter of recommendations, but I am not sure when it would be an appropriate time to ask for a letter. What should I do?

 

[densmore22]

I having been shadowing off and on. I have shadowed this one group of podiatrists that I really like, but I don't want to ask them to come in everyweek or something. I have been calling every month or so to come in and shadow. I have shadowed like 3 days worth so far. I am applying right now and need to get letter of recommendations, but I am not sure when it would be an appropriate time to ask for a letter. What should I do?

I asked for a LOR after only shadowing once, the guys my mentor now. If you show promise, they like you, you didn't completely look like an idiot, etc it shouldn't be a problem, just ask the one you have the best relationship with.

 

[densmore22]

Thank for the advice guys, I just heard back from the other Dr. it was a no. Looks like i will be traveling the 90 miles.

This is absolute crap. Those podiatrists should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. We're supposed to foster and encourage the future of our profession and this just flat out sucks. Pay it forward, that's what every Podiatrist I affiliate with preaches. Good luck and I hope it works out for you. Where are you coming from (geographically)? Maybe someone on here can help you out.

 

[Northerner]

...while we're on the subject - does anyone have any shadowing cowumns?