Shadowing

[DrewFromVA]

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A quick question for those of yo who have shadowed a doctor... How did you arrange to do so? I don't really have a family physician or any comparable substitue that I know somewhat personaly. Also, what types of doctors(pediatrician, neurologist...) allow shadows? I would imagine most if not all surgeons would not, but I don't know much about this stuff...

 

[maphilips]

First of all decide who you might want to shadow. Most medical specialties allow shadowing, but not all doctors do. For example, a clinical ophthalmologist would be willing to let you shadow, but a department head of ophthalmology at a university might be too busy.
Once you have decided on a specialty start looking on the internet for a practioner in your area. I used www.advocatehealth.com but there are many others. When you have a couple names give them a call at the office and see what kind of people they are and ask them.

Good Luck 🙂

 

[THE instiGATOR]

While interviewing at my undergrad U's med school last year, the interviewer gave me the name of a surgeon who's interests are the same as my own. I was not accepted, but have been shadowing this doc since. I was scared that he would be old and mean (the typical surgeon stereotype), but he is not - he's a pretty cool guy. Things couldn't have worked out better (aside from getting an acceptance instead). Of course this kind of connection doesn't happen every day. I would suggest that you suck it up and (1) ask the physicians in person by scheduling an appointment with him/her or (2) send emails [probably not as effective]

Good Luck

 

[Jordie]

I've been able to shadow physicians in many specialties. One of them was a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, who I had actually seen quite a few times recently, so I asked him if I could shadow him, and we were able to arrange it so that I got to see a few surgeries as well as follow him in clinic. For the others (emergency medicine and neonatology) I got their names and e-mails off of the website for the local university affiliated hopsital. I am currently shadowing both of these docs, each once or twice a month, and find it both very interesting and fun, but I am also learning a bunch of things. I encourage you to either e-mail a doc or call their office and ask them if you might be able to shadow them, or if you happen to know one in your area ask them first. Good luck,
Jordie