Shadowing

[drtwinkle]

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Hi,
I am currently a senior undergrad and I was confused about whether to go for PhD or MD.
Though I have enough research experience, one thing I am being told to do asap if I want to apply for an MD post is shadowing. Is it too late for me to shadow someone being a senior now? Because it feels so left behind when I see all the freshman and sophomores right on track and have already shadowed a doctor.
I have been trying to find out a doctor to shadow, but its not easy especially when everyone wants to do the same thing. Can someone suggest what would be the best option for me or how to proceed?

Will appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot.

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to the 'pre-allopathic' forum.

 

[aSagacious]

As a very rough approximation, the 'average' applicant accumulates around 50 hours of shadowing between 2 or 3 different physicians (one of which usually a primary care physician). If you're only a sophomore now (correct me if I'm mistaken) then you will have plenty of time to get some shadowing in.

That said, shadowing is not required (though it is always helpful) as much as gaining general clinical experience. This can also be satisfied through volunteering or through a paid position (technician, scribe, nurse assistant, etc).

 

[azerkail]

a quick search of the forums could probably yield the usual ways (cold calling, friend of a friend, contact an old provider of yours) but i do have one tip that helped me- start with a md in a 'strange' or not frequented speciality, like podiatrists. i got a gig with one and offered to hook me up with his friends in other fields like internalists and cardio. the easy to find ones are probably too popular with the pre-meds but i'm sure one foot in the door with someone else with good rapport should get you in there.

 

[Rocher]

a quick search of the forums could probably yield the usual ways (cold calling, friend of a friend, contact an old provider of yours) but i do have one tip that helped me- start with a md in a 'strange' or not frequented speciality, like podiatrists. i got a gig with one and offered to hook me up with his friends in other fields like internalists and cardio. the easy to find ones are probably too popular with the pre-meds but i'm sure one foot in the door with someone else with good rapport should get you in there.

Podiatrists aren't MD's, so I'm not sure how much that would help.

 

[azerkail]

Podiatrists aren't MD's, so I'm not sure how much that would help.

i think i need more coffee. he's a primary physician who works with athletes, at least from what i saw.

 

[Morsetlis]

It would help, but you still need to work on the whole applicant EC's package: clinical activities, volunteering, and research.

If you are just thinking about MD now, I suggest you get started working on your EC's and the MCAT...

 

[ShoTyme]

Hi,
I am currently a senior undergrad and I was confused about whether to go for PhD or MD.
Though I have enough research experience, one thing I am being told to do asap if I want to apply for an MD post is shadowing. Is it too late for me to shadow someone being a senior now? Because it feels so left behind when I see all the freshman and sophomores right on track and have already shadowed a doctor.
I have been trying to find out a doctor to shadow, but its not easy especially when everyone wants to do the same thing. Can someone suggest what would be the best option for me or how to proceed?

Will appreciate your help.
Thanks a lot.

I just shadowed today for the first time. I found my connection through a friend at school who worked at a hospital as a surgical tech. But you can also call up any hospital, ask for who to talk to about shadowing, and they'll connect you to the right place. They know the drill... Good luck!