So I met an orthopedic surgeon...

[anhoi]

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So I went snowboarding (at Northstar) and randomly met an orthopedic surgeon at a lunch table. I guess I made a decent impression because after I asked him if students ever come in to shadow him or volunteer in his office, he gave me the number to his assistant and told me to call and schedule a time to come in...

so my question is what the heck do I do now? I've never shadowed a physician before, let alone a big time surgeon to pro atheletes. I don't even know how to go about calling and asking to shadow...what to do afterwards...how to dress...what to ask or do? any advice guys? I really liked him when we spoke and would like to get to know him better and if everything goes well...perhaps get a letter of rec. from him...so how should I proceed?

I didn't realize snowboarding would get me these contacts, because on a chair ride up I also met a psychiatrist who told me to call him! so any feedback you guys can give me would be great, because I'm very unsure about how to proceed from this point on...

Thanks!

 

[dpy]

sorry...no advice on your situation...but how's the snow at northstar? I'm planning a trip up there soon. Thanks!

 

[wolferman]

Call up the assistant and inform him/her about the conversation you had with the Doc and how he said you could come shadow him. I would suggest dressing in business attire minus the suit jacket. You may be seeing patients so you need to appear professional. If I know I'm going into the OR, then I show up business casual at the most. After all, you'll be putting scrubs on shortly anyway. Make sure you don't wear your good white sneakers, because the OR can get bloody, especially in orthopedics when they whip out the saw and bone fragments go flying.

As far as what to do prior to the interview, maybe do a little research into orthopedic surgery so you'll have some good questions handy. I find that I have the best questions when I know a little about what I'm watching.

If the day goes fine and the doc seems to like you, don't be shy at all asking for a future shadowing opportunity. If he seems like he'd rather not, then ask if he has any associates that wouldn't mind you shadowing them. Doctors need a certain number of teaching hours per year and usually don't mind being shadowed to fulfill this requirement.

Finally, thank the doctor for the opportunity and/or send a thank you card.

 

[tryingagain]

I work with Orthopods everyday. PM me if you have specific questions.

I would definitely wear a shirt and tie.

Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[DrMom]

Call his office & talk to his office manager. Explain your meeting him and his offer to let you shadow and see if she can either schedule you in or let you talk directly to him.

Do dress professionally. Most of the time in shadowing you are simply following them around and seeing what they do, but it if they are open to it (and sounds like he is) ask questions.

 

[Adcadet]

Originally posted by wolferman
I would suggest dressing in business attire minus the suit jacket. You may be seeing patients so you need to appear professional. If I know I'm going into the OR, then I show up business casual at the most. After all, you'll be putting scrubs on shortly anyway.

I shadowed a colorectal surgeon for a month, and we always wore at least a shirt and tie, even when we were going to be in the OR for most of the day. You might be seeing patients before you change into scrubs, or after surgery, and it's best to look professional.

So I'd say go wearing a shirt and tie until the doc explicitly tells you to wear something else.

 

[anhoi]

Originally posted by dpy
sorry...no advice on your situation...but how's the snow at northstar? I'm planning a trip up there soon. Thanks!

hey, northstar was pretty nice on new years day, but the lines were horrendous - i got 3 runs in 2 hours. after that i just left because it wasn't worth it. when i left on friday the snow was getting pretty firm so unless there's another storm before you go you're going to be riding on slush if its warm or ice if its cold.

thank you for the input everyone, i really appreciate it, i'm just apprehensive since i've never shadowed a physician before. any extra advice on how i should present myself? should i learn about procedures he may perform so that i don't seem completely ignorant - since at this moment i completely am. Thanks!

 

[Classof07]

If this guy knows that you're premed, as in not yet in medical school, then just relax. He will expect you *not* to know anything and if he expects otherwise, that's his problem and it will have no bearing on your application, etcetera. It's a great opportunity that could pan out into a long-term relationship, or it could just be a nice day in the hospital, or the guy could be a real jackass (although I doubt the latter since you've already talked to him for a time).
I work in the GI Division of the Dept. of Medicine at a local hospital and have since mid-August. Prior to that, I had pretty much NO clinical experience and the doctors were aware of that and everything has been great. Of course I felt at a loss when things first started, but, and this is the key, *that is to be expected*. So just relax and enjoy the day.







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