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Shadowing for Med School?
Hello! Does anyone know medical professionals who are open to being shadowed? Or rather, how did you guys start your shadowing process?
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4 answers
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Ian’s Answer
I recommend narrowing your focus into a specialty that interests you (family med, surgeon, ENT, pediatrician, etc.). You can then focus on practices or hospitals that employ those specialties. Most hospitals or health systems have a shadowing rotation for students as they will eventually be the employed professionals in those hospitals/systems. They use the shadowing programs as recruitment strategies. Normally, the HR department facilitates shadowing in coordination with a department director. If they don't have a shadowing program ask them if they would be willing to start one. If they agree, ask your school/college to coordinate an legal agreement with the entity.
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Many doctors etc are open! I would find an email from their office or department at the hospital or even just cold call and ask and you’d be surprised how many people would be happy to have you even if it’s 1-2 days!
Think about first: what TYPE of person do you want to shadow, does it need to/want it to be a doctor or could it be a PA or nurse or tech you want to shadow.
Second: is there a specialty you want to see particularly? Maybe one your most interested in, or one you aren't sure if you like yet. Or one you've never been exposed to before.
Third: think about what times you have available and have those times ready so that when you find someone to shadow you can easily give them a VARIETY of dates/times that work for you/their schedule. If needed, you may need to change your schedule around to fit theirs so try and have some different dates/flexibility.
Fourth: think about if you want to see inpatient (at a hospital) or outpatient (at a clinic). Do you want to see something surgical? If you want to see surgical, are you ok with seeing blood etc. If you're not sure how you would handle that and you want to/plan to shadow in a surgical area, let the provider know what you have/haven't seen before and if you need to step out always do so. Maybe ask what types of procedures/surgeries they have planned during your shadow time and see if you could do some online research into what you may expect to help see how you'll feel about seeing it. THis will also help you be prepared to maybe answer any basic questions they ask you.
Fifth: know that you may have to reaech out to a larger number/variety of people to get 1-2 yes's. It is also helpful if you could find someone who has had students before so they are better with what to expect/how to mentor shadowing students, though always ok to be someones first.
Sixth: on the day(s) of shadowing, if you have some specific life/application/career questions for them, maybe tell them at the START of the day that if there is time you would love to get some advice and that way they can plan ahead to make time if able to answer those for you instead of saving them for the end of a day.
Hope this helps!!
Madison
Think about first: what TYPE of person do you want to shadow, does it need to/want it to be a doctor or could it be a PA or nurse or tech you want to shadow.
Second: is there a specialty you want to see particularly? Maybe one your most interested in, or one you aren't sure if you like yet. Or one you've never been exposed to before.
Third: think about what times you have available and have those times ready so that when you find someone to shadow you can easily give them a VARIETY of dates/times that work for you/their schedule. If needed, you may need to change your schedule around to fit theirs so try and have some different dates/flexibility.
Fourth: think about if you want to see inpatient (at a hospital) or outpatient (at a clinic). Do you want to see something surgical? If you want to see surgical, are you ok with seeing blood etc. If you're not sure how you would handle that and you want to/plan to shadow in a surgical area, let the provider know what you have/haven't seen before and if you need to step out always do so. Maybe ask what types of procedures/surgeries they have planned during your shadow time and see if you could do some online research into what you may expect to help see how you'll feel about seeing it. THis will also help you be prepared to maybe answer any basic questions they ask you.
Fifth: know that you may have to reaech out to a larger number/variety of people to get 1-2 yes's. It is also helpful if you could find someone who has had students before so they are better with what to expect/how to mentor shadowing students, though always ok to be someones first.
Sixth: on the day(s) of shadowing, if you have some specific life/application/career questions for them, maybe tell them at the START of the day that if there is time you would love to get some advice and that way they can plan ahead to make time if able to answer those for you instead of saving them for the end of a day.
Hope this helps!!
Madison
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
If you're in high school or college and want to shadow a doctor but don't know any, try reaching out to your local medical society. Most U.S. counties have one, and if you're near your state capital, you can contact the state medical society. Pharmacists and other health fields likely have local or state societies too. If your college has a premed advisor or a pre-health advising office, it's a good idea to contact them. They might know someone or have programs where you can shadow professionals.
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Hi, what services are you looking for?
You can check the website of the programs and apply for shadowing, or you can send the emails to any of the doctors in the service you want and ask your request. If their program was open they will guide you you.
You can check the website of the programs and apply for shadowing, or you can send the emails to any of the doctors in the service you want and ask your request. If their program was open they will guide you you.