What does shadowing entail?

[154175]

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I hadn't actually realized I needed to shadow for most schools I'm applying to; to be short, my pre- med advisor sucks and there's no pre- med club at my school that I have ever seen.

I sent off an e-mail to UNECOM since it's near me and asked for advice, but what do I do? Just randomly call and e-mail DOs?

If I get a response, what will I do? Just literally follow them around? How does that help med schools at all? All I'm saying is that I can follow someone.

 

[Punchap]

I hadn't actually realized I needed to shadow for most schools I'm applying to; to be short, my pre- med advisor sucks and there's no pre- med club at my school that I have ever seen.

I sent off an e-mail to UNECOM since it's near me and asked for advice, but what do I do? Just randomly call and e-mail DOs?

If I get a response, what will I do? Just literally follow them around? How does that help med schools at all? All I'm saying is that I can follow someone.

I found a D.O. to shadow through this site: http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/Mentor_exchange.htm

I shadowed a vascular surgeon for one week (40+ hours)...I was able to view some pretty cool surgeries and visit with patients during office hours. The biggest thing I got out of the experience was a better understanding of physician culture/how they interact with nurses/MAs, etc. and what my future co-workers will be like. Schools just want you to know what you're in for.

 

[TurboTegGirl]

Thanks for the website! I had the same problem in undergrad, my advisor was terrible, and we had no pre-med program either. I actually got an F my first semester of undergrad, and my advisor told me there was no way I would get into any medical schools...so I basically gave up at the time. So now, I'm 25, and going back to take some of the pre-req's I never took, because I realize how wrong my advisor was, and after for working in a different field for 2 years, I realize I still want to be a physician. I live in a rural area, and its hard to find any mentoring opportunities too - so maybe your site will help! Thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

I hadn't actually realized I needed to shadow for most schools I'm applying to; to be short, my pre- med advisor sucks and there's no pre- med club at my school that I have ever seen.

I sent off an e-mail to UNECOM since it's near me and asked for advice, but what do I do? Just randomly call and e-mail DOs?

From the Forum FAQ:

How do I/Should I shadow a DO?

A good place to start is in contacting your state Osteopathic Medicine Society either via the web or phone and asking for a local list of physicians. Another way is to check out your local hospital, if they have a website that is best. Many schools suggest that you shadow a DO before applying and it is a requirement for others. Here are some opinions on this matter:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=234750
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=233228
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=228068
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=225110

If I get a response, what will I do? Just literally follow them around? How does that help med schools at all? All I'm saying is that I can follow someone.

You are basically the physician's shadow. You follow him or her around as they go about their daily duties, which should include patient encounters, if possible, so that you can get a glimpse of what it is like to be in their shoes. The path to becoming a physician is a long, expensive, and arduous journey. It is essential that you understand what it is like to be one, so that you can make an informed decision; it's good to know what you are getting yourself into. If I were an adcom member, I'd like applicants to know the what physicians do on a daily basis and understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of their role in healthcare. Shadowing a physician for a period of time is one way to get some of that exposure. There is quite a lot involved, believe me. Also, shadowing gives a physician, who is quite possibly going to write you a letter of recommendation, time to get to know you and observe you, so that he or she can write you a stronger letter in support of your candidacy.

Anyway, I was lucky in my shadowing experiences. I wasn't just dead weight. I was actively involved as much as I could be. I actually helped with some patient assessments and in presenting the patients, shadowed through call, followed the residents, and observed the IM team on duty as they worked up the patients, as they got pimped by the attending, and came up with differential diagnoses. In some ways, I felt like I was part of the team. It was an absolutely thrilling experience. I highly recommend shadowing a team that includes residents, as you are likely to learn stuff you hadn't imagined. Get your LOR from an attending physician, though, if possible.

 

[154175]

Thanks for the website; I've literally already got a response from one of the physicians I picked. Who knew doctors with real jobs would be up and checking their e-mail after midnight?

And thanks for the description of what you did, spicedmanna. I'm hoping that's more of what I end up doing. Following someone around and doing nothing would be excrutiating.

 

[Punchap]

Glad to have helped. Good luck.

 

[MossPoh]

There ARE what we, who have shadowed, call the "unspeakables". Every pre-med must go through them, but they shall remain nameless.







But seriously, it entails not much. If you have a person who enjoys teaching then it may make it more interesting. You follow them around and stare. Ask the occasional question. Sometimes a patient might actually let you listen to their heart or use the doppler if you are nice. I got to do stuff beyond that, but it was legally frowned upon to do it...so it shant be stated.