What specific things are you learning in shadowing?

[Avicenna]

I've shadowed two doctors (GI, Family Practice) ~50 hours so far and really don't feel like I've learned much. Sure, I got a more in depth view at the specific nuances associated with a career in medicine eg dictations, patient doc relationship, but I can't see anything big that I'm supposed to be getting out of it.

Are you supposed to be learning anything specific? What did you learn during shadowing?

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[Boolean]

I've shadowed two doctors (GI, Family Practice) ~50 hours so far and really don't feel like I've learned much. Sure, I got a more in depth view at the specific nuances associated with a career in medicine eg dictations, patient doc relationship, but I can't see anything big that I'm supposed to be getting out of it.

Are you supposed to be learning anything specific? What did you learn during shadowing?

That is exactly what you're supposed to be getting out of it.

 

[DrEnderW]

You're not suppose to be learning anything because you have zero medical knowledge and no context.

It's just to show that you actually understand what being a doctor is like day-to-day and that Gray's Anatomy isn't a reflection of real medicine. It serves to reinforce your desire to pursue medicine based on actual experience not idealization.

Proving you can jump through hoops is nice too, there's more of that to come.

 

[Avicenna]

Then what's there to talk about in the interview. I know shadowing is supposed to be mentioned. I can't think of anything insightful to say.

 

[ski89]

Then what's there to talk about in the interview. I know shadowing is supposed to be mentioned. I can't think of anything insightful to say.

In one of my interviews I discussed one of my shadowing experiences and how the physician has become something of a mentor and role model for the type of physician that I want to be. I gave an example of a specific interaction between one of his patients and their family that had a significant impact on me. It's physicians like him that give me a model of how I would like to practice medicine in the future.

Edit: I would also add that shadowing across a number of different specialties can give you an idea of what area of medicine strikes your interest. Say you find you really enjoy pediatrics after shadowing a pediatrician, you can then follow that passion by volunteering in a peds hospital or working with kids in some other capacity. This isn't to say that you must figure out as a premed what kind of doctor you want to be, but it shows adcoms that you can identify an interest/passion and pursue further opportunities to that end.

 

[sunflower18]

I actually learned a lot in my shadowing experience -- one of the patients I saw became a major cornerstone in my personal statement. Above all else, I learned the importance of the physician-patient relationship. Most of my shadowing is in oncology, and just being able to see the patients trusting the provider and the provider working so hard to care for the patients and their families.... It was really powerful. It moved me. Those moments have served as my motivation for pursuing a career in medicine for the past several years.

 

[mehc012]

Tons...I've spoken with residents about HPSP, debt, their advice on choosing schools, etc. I've had attendings offer research positions. I've seen how residents, attendings, and med students interact on good and bad days - everything from a resident doing a procedure for the first time to someone being booted from the OR in a hairy case in favor of someone more advanced. I've listened to interns complain about their role on the service (doing all of the day's charts and little else), seen exactly how miserable a disgruntled nurse can make a night shift, and how much easier it can be to care for a critical patient when their nurse is someone you know is experienced and you can trust them to keep you adequately informed. I've seen how much paperwork piles up, how difficult it can be to talk to families even for easy, straightforward cases (because remember, it is not routine to the patient or their family), etc. I've seen how grueling a day of 'simple' outpatient clinic cases can be, and how many you have to pile in to make it worthwhile. I've seen how PAs, NPs, physicians, interns, and techs interact to provide patient care. I've seen days where nobody had a chance to grab a bite for lunch, and days where everyone watches football in the waiting room/ call room. And that doesn't even touch on the medical things I have learned (because, contrary to popular opinion, you are not incapable of learning medical details just because you don't know other medical details yet.) You can learn a lot from shadowing, especially if you are not afraid to speak up, introduce yourself to people, and ask questions.

 

[SnakeOilForSale]

I shadowed an internist in private practice who referred to me as a "medical student" to the patients when I entered, and honestly the biggest thing I learned was how incredibly comfortable people were with me there. They'd have no problem disrobing or going into really intimate details about sex life etc. It showed me the level of trust people put in medical professionals and how important it is to uphold that trust.

Also, the doctor told me to chart every single little detail in the future to avoid lawsuits. I think people get different things out of it but ultimately you should be getting something.