Hi,
Shadowing is following a doc around like a "shadow" to see what a day in the life for him/her is like. You usually don't get to do any procedures, as most of the time you shadow before you are a student. I shadowed an ER doc before I started med school, and have continued to shadow throughout the first two years. They have been teaching me procedures along the way, so it has given me quite an edge. I recommend it highly. You learn so much just by observing.
Billie, MS-III