shadowing

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

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Hi. I've been volunteering at VCU Medical Center (formerly MCV) for about a year now and I called their volunteer services to see if I could shadow a doctor. They told me that because of confidentiality issues they can't set anything up. She told me I should just ask a doctor one on one and see what they say. My problem is that I have no doctors in my family nor do I personally know any doctors. Is it approriate to ask some random doctor where I volunteer if I can shadow him or her? It seems a bit forward. Obviously in an ideal situation I would start talking to the doctor before hand and build a friendlly relationship and then ask about shadowing but that just isn't going to happen. The physicians are extremely busy and most of the nurses deal with the volunteers.

Does anyone have any opinions on the above or suggestions on other ways to go about shadowing a physician?

 

[Supadupafly]

Call and set up an appointment. Bring some background materials, like a CV. Then just go talk with them. I've done it a few times with no troubles.

Good luck!

 

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

thanks. i'm sure this will come off as ignorant, but what is a CV?

 

[DocStretch]

This is my first post on this board, so I hope this works... Anyhow, I didn't know a couple of docs I ended up shadowing but I asked a friend who was a year ahead of me (and in med school) if he had any good shadowing experiences. I ended up emailing the doctors he had mentioned and they were more than receptive to letting me hang around with them. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by Nvr Ending Jrny
thanks. i'm sure this will come off as ignorant, but what is a CV?

I also agree with the above posters in regards to contacting a physician where you volunteer. Taking initiative is a positive step in achieving your goals! Be professional and don't be discouraged if the first physician says 'no'. Pick another one. You will find a physician who wants to teach and mentor.

A CV is a curriculum vitae, a longer version of the resume.

Format (rough):

1. Personal Information, address, phone, birth date, etc...
2. Education
3. Medical Education
4. Honors
5. Volunteer work/personal interests
6. Publications

Good luck!