start shadowing tomorrow (questions..)

[olemissbabydoc]

Tomorrow is my first shadowing experience. I know the doctor pretty well, so i'm not concerned about that or dress (sunday casual - dress pants and dress shirt as well as comfortable low heels). but..

What do you typically take with you to shadowing experiences?
Any tips or things you wish you would've known when you started?

(I'm doing clinic hours tomorrow, not hospital work)

Thanks!!

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[IckeyShuffle]

Tomorrow is my first shadowing experience. I know the doctor pretty well, so i'm not concerned about that or dress (sunday casual - dress pants and dress shirt as well as comfortable low heels). but..

What do you typically take with you to shadowing experiences?
Any tips or things you wish you would've known when you started?

(I'm doing clinic hours tomorrow, not hospital work)

Thanks!!

just ask questions about everything you dont understand, and i promise, this will pretty much be just about everything!

 

[tetris]

just ask questions about everything you dont understand, and i promise, this will pretty much be just about everything!

I don't agree. It's not good to ask too many questions, nor is OP expected to fully understand things.

IMO, ask only when the doc has a free moment or as you say goodbye at the end of the day. And don't make your questions too broad, such that they require an hour's lecture to answer.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

I don't agree. It's not good to ask too many questions, nor is OP expected to fully understand things.

IMO, ask only when the doc has a free moment or as you say goodbye at the end of the day. And don't make your questions too broad, such that they require an hour's lecture to answer.

thanks to you both. Considering doc is a specialist, we probably wont have much free time, and i know she schedules patients well into the evening hours. However, she's also the type that will possibly as ME if I have questions as we go.

 

[tetris]

thanks to you both. Considering doc is a specialist, we probably wont have much free time, and i know she schedules patients well into the evening hours. However, she's also the type that will possibly as ME if I have questions as we go.

Even if she asks, don't overdue it. A good thing to ask about is a patient's diagnosis. Not: what's his/her diagnosis?, but: could it be diabetes? or: couuld it be related to his heart? And don't ask what this or that abbreviation or acronym means.

Most importantly, act professionally.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Even if she asks, don't overdue it. A good thing to ask about is a patient's diagnosis. Not: what's his/her diagnosis?, but: could it be diabetes? or: couuld it be related to his heart? And don't ask what this or that abbreviation or acronym means.

Most importantly, act professionally.

Thanks again. I have lots of experience with the abbrev/acronym/dx stuff, so even though i'm sure there will be some i dont understand, hopefully i can grasp enough to keep my head above water without asking..

 

[IckeyShuffle]

Even if she asks, don't overdue it. A good thing to ask about is a patient's diagnosis. Not: what's his/her diagnosis?, but: could it be diabetes? or: couuld it be related to his heart? And don't ask what this or that abbreviation or acronym means.

Most importantly, act professionally.

obviously dont bombard the doctor with questions if it is going to take up all their time. just get a feel for how much you can interact and go from there. and yes i agree with tetris... definately be professional. it should be easier since you know the doctor.

 

[OncoCaP]

Tomorrow is my first shadowing experience. I know the doctor pretty well, so i'm not concerned about that or dress (sunday casual - dress pants and dress shirt as well as comfortable low heels). but..

What do you typically take with you to shadowing experiences?
Any tips or things you wish you would've known when you started?

(I'm doing clinic hours tomorrow, not hospital work)

Thanks!!

If it's like my shadowing experiences, I would take something to read. The physician has to ask for permission from the patient to have you in the room. Some things are a bit sensitive or the patient doesn't feel comfortable with it, and you can't be in the room. Other times there might be paperwork and lab tests ... a good time to read.

I would just observe as much as possible and let the physician take the lead on what s/he wants you to do. For example, the physician may let you check something out or talk to the patient briefly. There really is not much to it. You realize how much there is to learn mostly. You also get a sense for what this physician likes and doesn't like about his/her job. It's a little bit like being the kid on "bring your son/daughter" to work. They probably have some fun stuff for you to do, but, unless you are a nurse or other person with suitable experience, you don't really have the training to appreciate or fully understand what is going on.

What kind of physician are you shadowing?

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Gastroenterologist

 

[Pemberley]

just ask questions about everything you dont understand, and i promise, this will pretty much be just about everything!

Actually, I suggest bringing a notepad and writing down what you don't understand. Look up as much as you can on your own (wikipedia has some surprising things on it!) and ask about the rest if the doctor ever looks like he isn't busy. Which, if he's anything like the busy subspecialists I shadowed, will be rare enough that you'll want to make the most of every question.

It's not that they discouraged questions -- just that you want to be super-careful about not being in the way. To understand everything they'd have to give you 10 years of medical training. Not gonna happen. Do your best, learn what you can, don't sweat what you can't.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Thanks to everyone! My first shadowing was an extremely positive experience!