Tips for Shadowing

[Violagirl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I know that there have been several past threads on shadowing, what to expect, etc. I had a question on one situation that I'm not always sure on what to do to prepare for. I've had past shadowing experiences where the physician was really good with having me ask questions in between patients visits, having me read up on topics relating to their speciality, etc. I have also had experiences where the physician did not have as much time in between patient visits where I was on my own and hanging out until the next patient came in. For these situations, where the physician does not seem to have as much time for questions or is busier with other things such as checking with other staff, etc, I'm curious what others have done to pass time? I know it is considered to be in poor taste to pull out your phone when this is going on. I've also heard of people bringing a small notebook and pen along to write down notes and this might be a good time to do this. I've had it before where I just sat around staring at the wall or waiting until the physician is ready to see the next patient but I am wondering if there's a better way of avoiding having this happen, like asking ahead of time if bringing reading materials related to the specialty that you're shadowing in would be appropriate? Any input on this would be great! 🙂

 

[Kpw101]

Ask the staff if you could help out with any clerical work or anything like that to keep them less busy. It'll mean a lot to the Doc and staff especially since having a student shadow kind of slows things down a little bit.

Be careful not to get sucked into working though that you miss times where the physician is with patients. Only do this if there's actual down time.

Edit: typos

 

[IndieKush]

With every patient there is paperwork/EMR info to be submitted. Perhaps try to learn how to use the EMR and help the doc with their notes aka turn the role into scribing as well.

If there is nothing you can do, don't sweat it. Shadowing is really just something to check off for a successful app. Your LORs typically come from more meaningful experiences.

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I would just follow the physician wherever they go if they are okay with this. This way you can see what doctors do when they're not just seeing patients. It's boring but it shows all aspects of being a physician. It's not just seeing patients all day

 

[Violagirl]

Hey guys, thank you for all of your suggestions! I like the idea of offering to help with clerical work if it's needed! Also too, just observing too when they are working patient notes or doing other things. For when the opportunity does not come up to observe in between patient visits, I wanted to ask your opinion of reading up on the doctor's specialty when they are busy? Like bringing an Ipad or tablet and reading articles on the doctor's field. Would this be appropriate? If so, would it be a good courtesy to ask ahead of time?

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Hey guys, thank you for all of your suggestions! I like the idea of offering to help with clerical work if it's needed! Also too, just observing too when they are working patient notes or doing other things. For when the opportunity does not come up to observe in between patient visits, I wanted to ask your opinion of reading up on the doctor's specialty when they are busy? Like bringing an Ipad or tablet and reading articles on the doctor's field. Would this be appropriate? If so, would it be a good courtesy to ask ahead of time?

I think that this would be fine. I would definitely make sure to ask first though because there might be some doctors that might find it rude.

Doctors like to ask medical questions a lot of times too so this might give you an opportunity to research any questions you've been asked or prepare you for any questions that you might be asked

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Like bringing an Ipad or tablet and reading articles on the doctor's field. Would this be appropriate? If so, would it be a good courtesy to ask ahead of time?

Do this afterwards or before. It looks rude if you’re on a device when you’re shadowing. Don’t even pull out your phone.

 

[Violagirl]

Do this afterwards or before. It looks rude if you’re on a device when you’re shadowing. Don’t even pull out your phone.

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it! Do you mean not pulling it out when the doctor and I would be with the patient during their appointment? If so, no I will definitely make sure I keep it away along with my phone during the duration of each patient visit.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it! Do you mean not pulling it out when the doctor and I would be with the patient during their appointment? If so, no I will definitely make sure I keep it away along with my phone during the duration of each patient visit.

No. I mean not pulling it out during the whole time you are shadowing. Show some respect to the person who is going out of their way to let you shadow them at their work place. Even if they are sitting there charting, don’t pull out your phone. It’s rude. It makes you look disinterested and flippant, regardless of what you are looking up.

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it! Do you mean not pulling it out when the doctor and I would be with the patient during their appointment? If so, no I will definitely make sure I keep it away along with my phone during the duration of each patient visit.

Definitely keep it away when you're with a patient. I would keep it put away whenever you're with the doctor actually. I would only look at it if there's ever any time you're not with the doctor and just sitting around waiting

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

No. I mean not pulling it out during the whole time you are shadowing. Show some respect to the person who is going out of their way to let you shadow them at their work place. Even if they are sitting there charting, don’t pull out your phone. It’s rude. It makes you look disinterested and flippant, regardless of what you are looking up.

Do you think this even when they are not with the doctor and just sitting around? I know every time I've shadowed I've felt like they would be okay with me taking out an ipad and researching the specialty during down times

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Do you think this even when they are not with the doctor and just sitting around? I know every time I've shadowed I've felt like they would be okay with me taking out an ipad and researching the specialty during down times

I’m always of the opinion that you never know who is watching and paying attention. Even if you are researching the specialty 1. You should have done that beforehand and 2. It still makes you look disinterested and flippant to the casual observer.

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I’m always of the opinion that you never know who is watching and paying attention. Even if you are researching the specialty 1. You should have done that beforehand and 2. It still makes you look disinterested and flippant to the casual observer.

That's true. I didn't look at it from that perspective

 

[Violagirl]

I’m always of the opinion that you never know who is watching and paying attention. Even if you are researching the specialty 1. You should have done that beforehand and 2. It still makes you look disinterested and flippant to the casual observer.

I definitely appreciate your input on this as well! I did not think of that as you do never know who might be around and looking like I'm disinterested is definitely the last thing I want.

 

[Violagirl]

I think that this would be fine. I would definitely make sure to ask first though because there might be some doctors that might find it rude.

Doctors like to ask medical questions a lot of times too so this might give you an opportunity to research any questions you've been asked or prepare you for any questions that you might be asked

That's definitely true. Probably only when the doctor isn't around might this be okay. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask but having the wrong person come in and think I'm not interested in being there (which will be quite the opposite!) I know would not be ideal to have happen.

 

[altblue]

Write down in extensive detail the most meaningful moments so that you can write about them vividly when you actually apply

 

[Jack-of-all-trades]

That's definitely true. Probably only when the doctor isn't around might this be okay. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask but having the wrong person come in and think I'm not interested in being there (which will be quite the opposite!) I know would not be ideal to have happen.

I know it's boring but I think that your best option would be to just wait patiently for the doctor if you're not able to be with them all day. You could also ask the staff questions or see if you could help out with anything possibly. Another option might be to bring a notebook and write down your review of the shadowing experience. Not sure if this would be considered rude or not

 

[Violagirl]

I know it's boring but I think that your best option would be to just wait patiently for the doctor if you're not able to be with them all day. You could also ask the staff questions or see if you could help out with anything possibly. Another option might be to bring a notebook and write down your review of the shadowing experience. Not sure if this would be considered rude or not

Yeah, I think to be safe, that probably would be best. If the staff seems like they are talkative or friendly of me being there, asking them questions might be nice.

Thank you again for your input!

 

[JustaDO]

Everyone is making this harder then necessary.

No one expects you to be super knowledgable about the field, but having a basic idea of what that field entails is recommended.

In terms of the phone, ask the provider, if between patients, if it would be ok with him / her that you look up stuff about the previous cases. 95% will say yes.

 

[plshelpvanxious]

I've had a doctor tell me to look stuff up on a computer in the hall related to the next or previous patient. She didnt want me to sit and watch her document everything. I'm sure if you asked, doctors would be fine with you doing something like that.

 

[Violagirl]

I ended up deciding to take the middle ground with this and emailed the physician I'm shadowing this week to see if they would be open to my bringing a medical journal on the specialty that I'm shadowing or if they might want me to help out with any clerical work in between patient visits.

Thank you all again for your advice and input! 🙂

 

[jd989898]

I'll reiterate that it is vital to take notes on interesting cases/experiences so that you can recall them when you write your application and go on interviews.