Watching a Surgery?

[Pinkertinkle]

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How could a premedical student get a chance to watch an operation? e.g. heart surgery?

 

[ixitixl]

Originally posted by Pinkertinkle
How could a premedical student get a chance to watch an operation? e.g. heart surgery?

UPENN let people watch total hip implants. I know some people who have done this although I'm not sure what sort of arrangements they had to make. I think you need a compelling reason though. These people were doing research on improving hip implants and were somehow able to pull it off. In terms of emergency surgery, all you need to do is volunteer in a hospital.

 

[Megalofyia]

See if you can personally talk to a surgeon about doing this.
My sister is not pre-med but is interested in doing biomechanical engineering and she talked to an orthopedic surgeon who let her watch a titanium rib operation. He said she could watch anytime she wanted. I'm sure that other surgeons would be just as enthusiastic if you ask.

 

[The JockDoc]

Find a surgeon and ask. It helps if you already know doctors, because then they can introduce you to some surgeons.

 

[evines]

My school has pre-med clubs that organized all that for me. Maybe you have the same thing?

 

[hapkidochic]

you just have to find the right surgeon to ask. Generally if the surgeon is willing and the patient doesn't mind, then it's ok. It's a little easier at a teaching hospital than at a private surgery center. I've been lucky enough to watch several surgeries including some hip and knee replacements. Good luck!

 

[ForensicPath]

Watch an autopsy instead

 

[wolferman]

I asked an anesthesiologist if I could watch some surgeries. She helped by taking me around to each surgery and introducing me to the surgeons before leaving to do her own cases. She'd check on me from time to time and take me to another when the surgery was over. It worked out great. Just watch out. Some surgeons will try to pimp you when they know you're premed. Just act humble and they'll cool it.

 

[logos]

I asked an anesthesiologist if I could watch some surgeries

Becoming friendly with anesthesia is a great idea....because often the only place you can see is from where anesthesia sits (theres pleanty of room for you to stand there...if invited)

 

[Cerberus]

I asked a surgeon. He was very cool about it.

 

[Northerner]

Watching surgery is fantastic. I may have a little perverse idea of what recreation is, but I shadow in the OR all the time. First off, if you work around surgeons it should be easy. Work hard, get to know them, and then just ask: humbly enthsiastically and confidently. If you don't work around surgeons in a hospital or something, then ask around. Ask another doctor (someone else mentioned this), if they know/like you they should help you. Remember, you're not asking for a pony, you're asking to be a part of a very educational and pertinent and motivating experience. Be persistent, but be understanding if an individual gives you the runaround because some are a little uncomfortable about certain cases, but I've never had someone say "no". Crap I just jinxed myself.
Good ways to ask are:

"I was wondering if there were any cases coming up that would be appropriate to watch?"

"I am pretty interested in seeing a *insert procedure here*, do you think that would be a good one to watch?"

"Do you have any *insert procedure here* coming up?"

"I'm applying to medical school next year and am really interested in surgery, do you think it'd be possible to shadow you for a day in the OR? (or clinic?)"

By the way, they are more interested in you if you say you're premed. Prepare well for the operation by boning up a little on the site anatomy. It helps you to ask intelligent questions if appropriate and understand what's going on.

If anyone has any other questions about observing in surgery let me know. (Sort of a stupid area to have an expertise, but oh well)

 

[ManchotPi]

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[Brickhouse]

I volunteer at a hospital, in labor & delivery. They always drag me in there when there's a C-section. They even let me tape down the patient's catheter tube once. Woo hoo.

 

[Northerner]

That's one area of medicine I really haven't been exposed to. I guess I'm interested in seeing a birth, but wow I bet it's intense...open heart surgery is intense as well, but at least the patient isn't screaming and there isn't another patient inside trying to claw its way out...*swoon*
haha

 

[DD214_DOC]

I did this in high school, before all the HIPAA bs.