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Hi guys!
I'm a rising junior in college and I just wanted to get your input on my summer surgery shadowing experience, and given how much of an investment it has been how to best prepare to articulate about it in my applications and interviews. For the past six weeks I have been shadowing a private team of general surgeons in Spain, who work with one of Spain's most prestigious private hospitals. Before deciding what to do this summer I was considering either doing research or a global-health-internship. However, I was fortunate to score this opportunity (and grant money to travel to Spain) because an alumni from my school was kind enough to provide me with the contact info of the surgeons. Also, since I'm a native spanish speaker I knew the language wouldn't be a barrier. In the past few weeks I have been able to observe and scrub-in into various surgeries: thyroidectomies, laparoscopic cholecystectomies, colectomies, various hernia repairs, and hemorrhoidectomies to mention a few. I also get to go into clinic with my mentor surgeon and sit in during patient visits. This has been especially rewarding because I have been able to observe what direct patient interaction entails and in between patients the doctor will explain to me certain things about the cases he sees that I don't understand. Similarly, every night I review the procedures I am seeing and have learned an overwhelming amount of information that I have surprisingly consolidated since I'm presented with it daily. During my first week in the OR all I did was simply observe. The surgeon reminded me that later on I'd get to scrub in and made sure I was aware of my surroundings around the OR. I made sure I knew the basics of scrubbing in before the time came and when it did the surgeon made sure I scrubbed in correctly. During the second week he would let me stand next to him during surgeries so that I'd be closer to the procedure and get to learn more. He would describe in detail what he was doing and having reviewed the anatomy and procedures, it was gratifying to understand the basics of what he was doing. By the end of the second week he allowed me to hold retractors for thyroidectomies and hernia repairs. Over time he has seen that I follow directions well and am always very alert during and between surgeries. During laparoscopic surgeries he also allows me to scrub in and release smoke, which basically entails turning a tiny knob in the trocars. Sometimes when he is done with the surgery and is suturing the patient he will let me cut some of the knotted sutures. Most of the time, while the surgeon leaves to file his report after every surgery I'll help the resident and scrub nurse to remove all sterile sheets, and eventually transfer the patient to the re-animation area. The experience has been truly unbelievable because I'm getting see all facets of the field. There are days when I'm with the surgeon virtually all day seeing patients and operating in the OR. Since shadowing isn't a common thing in Spain I'm the only one with the team this summer. The surgeons and the rest of the staff are all very welcoming every day and are excited to teach me new things daily. I know that surgery is not totally representative of all health-careers. I also shadow family physicians through a volunteer organization back at school but my experience this summer has definitely solidified my interest to pursue surgery. I've read other blog posts of students having similar experiences and I just wanted to share mine to hear what your opinion is. Thanks!
I'm a rising junior in college and I just wanted to get your input on my summer surgery shadowing experience, and given how much of an investment it has been how to best prepare to articulate about it in my applications and interviews. For the past six weeks I have been shadowing a private team of general surgeons in Spain, who work with one of Spain's most prestigious private hospitals. Before deciding what to do this summer I was considering either doing research or a global-health-internship. However, I was fortunate to score this opportunity (and grant money to travel to Spain) because an alumni from my school was kind enough to provide me with the contact info of the surgeons. Also, since I'm a native spanish speaker I knew the language wouldn't be a barrier. In the past few weeks I have been able to observe and scrub-in into various surgeries: thyroidectomies, laparoscopic cholecystectomies, colectomies, various hernia repairs, and hemorrhoidectomies to mention a few. I also get to go into clinic with my mentor surgeon and sit in during patient visits. This has been especially rewarding because I have been able to observe what direct patient interaction entails and in between patients the doctor will explain to me certain things about the cases he sees that I don't understand. Similarly, every night I review the procedures I am seeing and have learned an overwhelming amount of information that I have surprisingly consolidated since I'm presented with it daily. During my first week in the OR all I did was simply observe. The surgeon reminded me that later on I'd get to scrub in and made sure I was aware of my surroundings around the OR. I made sure I knew the basics of scrubbing in before the time came and when it did the surgeon made sure I scrubbed in correctly. During the second week he would let me stand next to him during surgeries so that I'd be closer to the procedure and get to learn more. He would describe in detail what he was doing and having reviewed the anatomy and procedures, it was gratifying to understand the basics of what he was doing. By the end of the second week he allowed me to hold retractors for thyroidectomies and hernia repairs. Over time he has seen that I follow directions well and am always very alert during and between surgeries. During laparoscopic surgeries he also allows me to scrub in and release smoke, which basically entails turning a tiny knob in the trocars. Sometimes when he is done with the surgery and is suturing the patient he will let me cut some of the knotted sutures. Most of the time, while the surgeon leaves to file his report after every surgery I'll help the resident and scrub nurse to remove all sterile sheets, and eventually transfer the patient to the re-animation area. The experience has been truly unbelievable because I'm getting see all facets of the field. There are days when I'm with the surgeon virtually all day seeing patients and operating in the OR. Since shadowing isn't a common thing in Spain I'm the only one with the team this summer. The surgeons and the rest of the staff are all very welcoming every day and are excited to teach me new things daily. I know that surgery is not totally representative of all health-careers. I also shadow family physicians through a volunteer organization back at school but my experience this summer has definitely solidified my interest to pursue surgery. I've read other blog posts of students having similar experiences and I just wanted to share mine to hear what your opinion is. Thanks!
