What exactly is "shadowing" ?

[peterish]

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Sorry for the newbie question, but how does it work; do you just follow the doc around? I need to do some shadowing before applying, so I'm just trying to get a heads-up before actually doing it.

 

[MrReno]

also, how long of shadowing is appropriate before asking a LOR?

 

[dsl9]

That's what I did. I contacted DO's in the area and asked if I could shadow them, to learn more about osteopathic medicine. I spent about 15-20hrs w/ a DO in family medicine, who also had his own manipulation clinic (so cool!). I basically followed him around and observed his interactions w/ his patients, approach to medicine, etc.

With the LORs, I think it depends how well the doctor knows you within the given amt of time that you're shadowing. I shadowed an DO in oncology before the family doctor and asked her for a LOR after about 3 days of shadowing (11hrs), but it wasn't that great of a letter b/c she didn't really get to know me. There were 5 or 6 other ppl following her around during rounds (ie. pharmacist, nurses, PAs, etc.) With the family doctor, it was just me and him and we really got talking about the osteopathic philosophy and med school; had a great connection and he was happy to write me a letter.

Most doctors are more than willing to write LORs; some like to know beforehand if you would like a letter or not though.

Good websites re: shadowing::
http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=faq_cons
http://uvamedicine.wordpress.com/category/physician-shadowing/

Good luck!! 😀

Sorry for the newbie question, but how does it work; do you just follow the doc around? I need to do some shadowing before applying, so I'm just trying to get a heads-up before actually doing it.

 

[DarknightX]

What is shadowing?

A complete waste of time.

 

[binko]

Shadowing is what you make of it. If it's boring, ask questions.

In my few hours of shadowing, I've observed OMM a few times, got to look at vaginal cells through a microscope to check for infection, and listened to the stories of people seeking help with addictions. I've seen older people who are sort of hypochondriacs because they're afraid of aging... I have a lot more understanding and sympathy for some people now.

But yeah, if you shadow a boring doc, you'll have a boring experience. Shadow one who is willing to explain things to you and not just ignore you.

 

[engineeredout]

I enjoyed shadowing a neurologist. Got to watch him perform EMGs/NCS, evaluate MRIs, as well as just seeing standard neurological exams. It really depends on the doc.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

It really depends on the doc.

+1.

If your shadowing time sucked, then it was probably for one of the following reasons:

1) You didn't put any work in beforehand (i.e., buying a pocket reference book for that specialty and spending an hour or two getting familiar with some of the pathology you might see that day).

2) Your doc is lazy/busy/unsocial and didn't stop to discuss cases with you.

3) You weren't allowed to talk to the patients (I was able to take histories with one of my docs before he saw the patient. The doc, of course, already knew the history, but damn that was really helpful/informative/awesome).

If you just hate every time you go shadow and you aren't even interested in the cases you see, I'd think long and hard about your career choice and perhaps shadow some various other professionals. Because even though shadowing can never give you a fully accurate view of what your life will be like and how you will like being a doc, if you can never find anything that even remotely piques your interest and you hate every second in the clinic/OR/hospital, then perhaps you should give a little more thought about your "pre med" status. 🙂 (not talking to anyone in particular--just a thought/piece of advice)

 

[Spooner13]

I found it very helpful to take notes of the procedures, diagnoses, physician's interactions with patients, etc. This will do two very important things: 1. it will show the physcian that you are interested in learning (i.e. will make for a better letter of rec) and 2. it will help you when discussing your shadowing experiences on secondary applications and interviews. Also, ask follow up questions if you can.

 

[Rollo]

If there is a teaching hospital in your area, get in touch with them. They are usually more than happy to get in touch with some docs whom you can shadow. And the great thing about shadowing at a teaching hospital is that you can shadow residents, interns, and even medical students!

Just think how nice it is to be able to say at your interview that you've (fore)shadowed all four different personalities in the medical education process!

 

[dangit]

What is shadowing? It is basically following the doctor around and seeing what they do. Now the question is, what can I observe? I shadowed a family medicine doctor and i basically got to see him talk with patients, build rapport, diagnose, prescribe and then on to the next patient. no procedures.

i also shadowed an urologist and he was very procedure oriented. i got to observe cystoscopies, biopsies, etc (can't remember the rest right now), but basically, because he was a surgeon i got to see more things. also, he divded his practice so that on certain days, he had clinic where his patients came and he do a follow-up/check up on them and do procedures that didn't involve general anaesthetic. the other days, he would be in the OR doing surgeries. i wasn't allowed to observe surgeries because of legal issues/liabilities.

How did i get recommendations? OKay, what I learned about getting letters is to ask the doctor early on, so that way they are aware of your needs. basically, i was straight up and honest and asked "what do i need to do to get a letter from you" and he said that i should come observe him for two whole days. so i did that and he wrote me letter. what did he write? don't know, but obviously nothing negative since i got into medical school! baby bayba! haha anyway, i learned to ask LOR early on because some doctors do not want to write letters or can't cuz' they're so busy. good luck!

 

[peterish]

What is shadowing? It is basically following the doctor around and seeing what they do. Now the question is, what can I observe? I shadowed a family medicine doctor and i basically got to see him talk with patients, build rapport, diagnose, prescribe and then on to the next patient. no procedures.

i also shadowed an urologist and he was very procedure oriented. i got to observe cystoscopies, biopsies, etc (can't remember the rest right now), but basically, because he was a surgeon i got to see more things. also, he divded his practice so that on certain days, he had clinic where his patients came and he do a follow-up/check up on them and do procedures that didn't involve general anaesthetic. the other days, he would be in the OR doing surgeries. i wasn't allowed to observe surgeries because of legal issues/liabilities.

How did i get recommendations? OKay, what I learned about getting letters is to ask the doctor early on, so that way they are aware of your needs. basically, i was straight up and honest and asked "what do i need to do to get a letter from you" and he said that i should come observe him for two whole days. so i did that and he wrote me letter. what did he write? don't know, but obviously nothing negative since i got into medical school! baby bayba! haha anyway, i learned to ask LOR early on because some doctors do not want to write letters or can't cuz' they're so busy. good luck!

I like that; and only 2 days? wow! I'm relieved because I thought it'd take like weeks and weeks.

 

[DrJosephKim]

You may be able to find some local doctors who are willing to let you follow them around.