Shadowing

[medicalapp12]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

How did you guys go about shadowing a doctor? I've cold called a good amount of them and haven't gotten any calls back. Do you write them a letter and drop it by in the office? Do you go to local hospitals and ask if any doctors are willing to allow premeds to shadow?

I'm out of school and don't have any connections to clubs that would give me the chance to shadow.

 

[moneytree]

How did you guys go about shadowing a doctor? I've cold called a good amount of them and haven't gotten any calls back. Do you write them a letter and drop it by in the office? Do you go to local hospitals and ask if any doctors are willing to allow premeds to shadow?

I'm out of school and don't have any connections to clubs that would give me the chance to shadow.

Do you volunteer at a hospital? I asked the volunteer coordinator at my hospital, and he gave me a bunch of leads on doctors that other volunteers have shadowed.

Also, when I volunteered in Emergency, I asked some random internists that I saw. The key here is: it's a LOT harder for them to reject you in person. Especially if they're likely to run into you in the future...

 

[abolt18]

How did you guys go about shadowing a doctor? I've cold called a good amount of them and haven't gotten any calls back. Do you write them a letter and drop it by in the office? Do you go to local hospitals and ask if any doctors are willing to allow premeds to shadow?

I'm out of school and don't have any connections to clubs that would give me the chance to shadow.

I cold called and was fortunate enough to have them invite me readily. I know a lot of my friends have done the same thing, some have been less successful than others. Others have gone in with a resume (you always get stuck at the secretary) and sort of made a proposal and asked if they would accept. The secretary would take the resume and call him/her back after speaking with the physician.

 

[Iliketoytles]

How did you guys go about shadowing a doctor? I've cold called a good amount of them and haven't gotten any calls back. Do you write them a letter and drop it by in the office? Do you go to local hospitals and ask if any doctors are willing to allow premeds to shadow?

I'm out of school and don't have any connections to clubs that would give me the chance to shadow.

First, prepare a CV (just in case). Some docs ask to see your CV before allowing you to shadow. But as for how to get a hold of a doc - call, call, and call some more. Do NOT email. This is your future; be proactive!

I know it's easier said than done. Depending on what city you're from, it can be very difficult. Just keep calling around and asking by saying something like "Hi my name is ______, and I'm a premed student at __________ university. I am interested in [physicians specialty] and was wondering if you would allow me the opportunity to shadow you to learn more about the field."

Keep it simple. If he/she says "no", move onto another. Good luck!

 

[Casnov]

I used this website, and emailed any DO that was within a 2 hour drive from me. So far I have gotten two responses, and have set a date to shadow one of the physicians in the beginning of November. Hope this helps!

http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/index.cfm?pageid=ment_exchange

 

[dudeliness]

A lot of good ideas here. I pretty much exclusively cold called. Got some responses quickly, some took forever to hear back from, and some I have given up on. The important thing web doing the cold call is to keep it simple, give them at least a week to respond (usually you'll talk with a secretary or clinic coordinator, not the physician), and don't be afraid to call back to follow up if you haven't heard for a couple of weeks. That being said, don't be surprised if you have to call multiple places to get one doc set up.
Also, if you already volunteer at a hospital, that's a great in. Talk with any docs you get the chance to work with and feel them out for how willing they'd be to let you observe them. I work at a hospital and I just stopped by the clinic coordinators office at an IM clinic I had to go to for work. She was cool and talked to the doctor for me and I got it all set up that way.
Just be persistent and ask everywhere. You only really need to shadow a couple of docs.

Good luck!