Shadowing

[IWTBAD]

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I plan to shadow during the second half of my summer. I have a few doctors thanks to a family member that works in a hospital (non-medical). But, I heard doctors need to file paperwork or something prior? What exactly needs to be done?

Also, irrelevant but how much does knowing someone on a board of admissions help?

 

[familyaerospace]

Some doctors just need a HIPAA form filed, others need a large amount of things. Depends on the policy.

I know an adcom, it has yet to help anything.

 

[LaceyMD]

What paperwork there may or may not be for you to fill out prior to shadowing depends entirely on the doctor and/or the practice or hospital where they work. I've done some at a hospital where I had to fill out a packet of forms (basically just privacy stuff) and get a badge, and others in private practice where I just signed a privacy form on the first day.

 

[IWTBAD]

Should I contact the hospital directly?

 

[LaceyMD]

I'd start by contacting the doctor you have arranged to shadow, and ask him/her if there is paperwork you need to fill out. At the very least, that doctor can refer you to the person who will get your the paperwork (at a hospital, there's almost always something to fill out). At the hospital where I shadowed (a good-sized big city hospital that probably saw tons of students), they wouldn't even give you the paperwork unless they could confirm that you already had a doctor who had agreed to the shadowing.

 

[IWTBAD]

I'd start by contacting the doctor you have arranged to shadow, and ask him/her if there is paperwork you need to fill out. At the very least, that doctor can refer you to the person who will get your the paperwork (at a hospital, there's almost always something to fill out). At the hospital where I shadowed (a good-sized big city hospital that probably saw tons of students), they wouldn't even give you the paperwork unless they could confirm that you already had a doctor who had agreed to the shadowing.

I see, makes sense. I don't know who exactly yet. Does the process take a long time?

 

[familyaerospace]

I see, makes sense. I don't know who exactly yet. Does the process take a long time?

Depends on the doctor/practice. My shortest time was literally less than 10 seconds. My longest was a few months because it had to be approved through half the darn hospital.

 

[IWTBAD]

Depends on the doctor/practice. My shortest time was literally less than 10 seconds. My longest was a few months because it had to be approved through half the darn hospital.

Hopefully sooner than later, thank you!