Which doctors to shadow for best overview of the profession?

[418865]

I'm into this program which allows shadowing opportunities and I get to choose which ones I want. Should I just go with the ones that I think I like (Psychiatry, Neurology, Cardiology)? I was thinking of trying to choose to shadow (I can choose 4) from the extreme ends of the wide spectrum of physicians if that makes any sense...do you've any recommendations on which ones to choose?

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[CodeBlu]

This is just my opinion...


Family Physician
Internist
And any specialist, rads, derm etc.

 

[doctorshateher]

I would recommend at least one in primary care for sure. Then if you have options from there, look at some specialties that interest you.

Here's was I would do if I had 4 opportunities to shadow:
1. Family Med
2. Hospitalist
3. Emergency
4. Specialty Outpatient


But then again, I have never been even remotely interested in surgery.

 

[azerkail]

similar to above

1. family medicine
2. emergency
3. internal medicine
4. ROAD specialties
5. 'special' doctors (those in research, doctors without borders, etc)

 

[mmmcdowe]

Number one would be ER in my opinion. You will have the added advantage of seeing any consultants that may come down as well. Seeing a surgery is worthwhile, but it is also nice to see them in the office during pre-surgical evaluation (you'd be shocked how many people get turned away from surgery for many reasons). Anesthesia has the advantage of possibly seeing a variety of surgeries from several specialties as well as the anesthesia.

 

[Morsetlis]

You can always combine the first two and shadow a doctor who has both an office practice and a hospital contract.

I would also definitely shadow EM to see the "exciting and annoying" side of medicine.

Finally, I'd go for something interesting and out of the ordinary, such as surgery, sleep medicine, or critical care.

 

[418865]

great suggestions! thanks a lot.

but yeah, i think i'll choose a surgeon, psychiatrist, im, fm.

 

[alexandertg6]

internist and general surgery

 

[CodeBlu]

great suggestions! thanks a lot.

but yeah, i think i'll choose a surgeon, psychiatrist, im, fm.

If you could forego the psychiatrist and replace it with an EM doc... that would be better.

They're the jack of all trades down there.

 

[418865]

CodeBlu: thanks for ur suggestion but I actually volunteer at EM this semester..plus I'm really interested to be a psychiatrist..so I needa check that out for sure..

 

[WorldChanger36]

If I had four to choose,
1) Family medicine
2) Peds
3) EM
4) Surgery-any

So far I am close, I have Peds, Family medicine and oncology/heme.

 

[CodeBlu]

CodeBlu: thanks for ur suggestion but I actually volunteer at EM this semester..plus I'm really interested to be a psychiatrist..so I needa check that out for sure..

Oh yeah then do it to it!!

Also, if you're not from Michigan, you can come here gladly. We need psychiatrists!!

 

[Victory4Zim]

Emergency Room all the way 🙂

 

[WildEMDoc]

Family Medicine
Peds or Internal Medicine
One of the ROAD
General Surgery or Ortho

 

[JESSFALLING]

CodeBlu: thanks for ur suggestion but I actually volunteer at EM this semester..plus I'm really interested to be a psychiatrist..so I needa check that out for sure..

You might have to shadow a psychiatrist in an inpatient setting due to patient confidentiality issues. Good luck.

 

[Ponger]

My advice to a pre-med would be hospitalist (internal med), surgery, some outpatient of any sort, and a wild card.

 

[JimmyChitwood]

Psych sees some pretty messed up people, so that would definitely be interesting...however, it's mostly "armchair" stuff, so you'll pretty much be listening to people talk for hours on end. Keep that in mind.