I have had many pre-meds ask me this question: "Is it a conflict of interest to be shadowing one's own physician?" I think this: It really depends on the doctor. I personally have known patients that have shadowed their own doctors. What do you think? Thanks for your opinions.
I think it is also partly up to the student as well. I don't think it needs to be automatically ruled out. It depends on how both feel about how the interaction will affect the doctor-patient relationship. In my case, I will be a medical student next year at the university where I have my health plan now. It turns out that the nurse practitioner I see on a regular basis teaches a portion of the physical exam course. In addition, many of my personal friends also get their health care at the same university. I definitely don't want to know my friends that well and would excuse myself/not read their records if it came up. Likewise, I would feel uncomfortable allowing any of my classmates assist on any visits I have.
My own personal belief is that if a person were to shadow there own physician it would only be a conflict of interest, or an uncomfortable situation, if both parties ALLOWED it to be. If you are a person who is intending to go to medical school, then it is assumed that you possess a level of maturity beyond that of your age (for younger students, anyway). With this belief, I think a physician and a patient can maintain a professional relationship as well as maintaining the patient/doctor relationship when it is necessary to play those roles. Point is, if you don't look at it as being a big deal, then it probably won't be. Speak with your doctor about the concerns. Then again, that's just my opinion. ------------------ Josh Hazelton [email protected] University of the Sciences in Philadelphia "D.O. Wannabe"
