Very Adamant Doctor?

[Technology]

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Today my mom and I met a neurosurgeon, who works in the MGH. He seemed very friendly and answered all of the questions I asked him, however, I did not tell him my career prospects of becoming a doctor.

I asked him at the end of our conversation: "has an undergraduate student or 18-year-old (my age) ever shadowed you?" He replied earnestly: "No. 18 is WAYYY too young to shadow. Do you know how many years it takes to become a doctor?"

...

Anyways, I thought his response was ridiculous. Why would shadowing at 18 be a bad idea? Younger undergraduate students should be shadowing to see if medicine is right for them.

So, what I am asking is, are most doctors like this? How difficult is it to find a doctor to shadow + do you have any tips on finding one?

Thanks and sorry for my rant. 😵

 

[doctorleospaceman]

It's not difficult, just takes some time. Usually your own PCP is your best bet as a start. I believe primary care should be your first shadowing experience anyway.

 

[Goro]

Just because he's a neurosurgeon doesn't mean he's smart. He clearly has no idea what shadowing is, or at the best, misunderstood you.

Start by asking your family doctor.

Today my mom and I met a neurosurgeon, who works in the MGH. He seemed very friendly and answered all of the questions I asked him, however, I did not tell him my career prospects of becoming a doctor.

I asked him at the end of our conversation: "has an undergraduate student or 18-year-old (my age) ever shadowed you?" He replied earnestly: "No. 18 is WAYYY too young to shadow. Do you know how many years it takes to become a doctor?"

...

Anyways, I thought his response was ridiculous. Why would shadowing at 18 be a bad idea? Younger undergraduate students should be shadowing to see if medicine is right for them.

So, what I am asking is, are most doctors like this? How difficult is it to find a doctor to shadow + do you have any tips on finding one?

Thanks and sorry for my rant. 😵

 

[yungspleen]

.

 

[LizzyM]

Neurosurgery is not an ideal first experience for shadowing. Start with a non-surgical specialty, ideally something in primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, general pediatrics).

 

[Swish16]

Learn to crawl before you start to walk and learn to walk before you start to run.

Shadowing a neurosurgeon would be "cool" but without observing primary care or an IM specialty you wouldn't be able to appreciate the process of deciding whether or not a patient needs a procedure in the first place.


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[Technology]

Thanks everyone! I will contact my doctor to see if she or someone else will let me shadow them.

 

[ProspectiveKidd]

He sounds disgruntled anyways. Id avoid asking him for any advice. And no, all doctors are definitely not like this.