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Where can I look for shadowing opportunities from a GP/ a specialist?

I am Annie, a year 3 student studying business administration and law at the University of Hong Kong, but it has always been my passion to enter a medical school and serve as a surgeon in the future. I am looking into applying for MD at Duke-NUS upon graduation of my current degree. And I would love to seek some opportunities to be shadowed by healthcare professionals, like General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Community Nutritionists.

Having served in the St. John Ambulance Brigade for almost 3 years, I have obtained qualifications in CPR, AED, PHTLS, Home Nursing and BLSO. I also have experience working in hospitals, such as the Haven of Hope Hospital and the Caritas Medical Centre.
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Judy’s Answer

Nothing works as well as a personal contact. If you have any family members that are doctors or work with one, I would start there and ask for their help. Also, volunteering at hospitals and other healthcare facilities may help. When I needed MD preceptors for graduate school, I asked doctors I knew from my work at the hospital and almost all were willing to work with me. When I did not know anyone in the specialty, I got another doctor to ask for me. When I had a college student volunteer that told me he was interested in medicine, I asked permission from my patients and almost all were willing to let the student come in and share the visit. He now has his DNP and I'd like to think I helped him make the decision to move forward with his interest in medicine. He helped me feed patients and do menial tasks and I showed him things he would normally never have seen as a hospital volunteer such as central lines, surgical wounds, ostomies and administration of drugs. If you have a medical school associated with your university, you may find help there. Good luck!
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Suddhasattwa’s Answer

Hi Annie,

Very interesting question so far!

I believe in the philosophy that - You can be, what You want to be.

I see that you are a 3rd year student studying business administration and law at the University of Hong Kong and have a working experience at St. John Ambulance Brigade and 2 other medical facilities in Hong Kong itself. I guess though you are studying business administration and law but your parallel working experience is in totally different field - Medical and thats why instead of business and law you are more attracted and fascinated by the medical industry living your day in and out with them. That's normal. Many of us study something but work on something else based on our interest that grew over the period of time, thru some friend, family or exposure for certain period.


So your question is - You want to look for shadowing opportunities from a GP/ a specialist because you want an admission to MD program at Duke-NUS, which is in Singapore:
My advise to you is that - when you will be already in that MD program you will automatically be exposed to clerkship, research and scholarship and advanced clinical rotations as a part of the curriculum. so you dont have to look externally for such opportunities.

On the other hand as you are already in 3rd year in business and law studies have you considered you career in Healthcare Law Jobs, Legal Consultant or counsel in Healthcare, Pharma industry? these will is still keep you connected to the Medical and Healthcare world.

Otherwise you have to register and sit for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). These tests are pretty heavy on life science subjects as Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Section,Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems Section and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Section apart from Reason and analytics where you will do good. I am not sure whether you have a life science back ground to prepare yourself for this medical entrance exams afresh.

Rather in your place, if I love the medical professional then I would have taken the job in line with the Business and Law education in a medical or pharma industries to keep you career and heart in sync.

Hope this insights are helpful. Do get in touch for any further queries.
All the very best Annie..
~ Cheers, Suddho

Suddhasattwa recommends the following next steps:

https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/education/our-programmes/md-programme
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/whats-mcat-exam/
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Richard’s Answer

Using your parents' and your own connections is the easiest way. You could also try volunteering at a hospital of free clinic. The physicians you meet may agree to letting you shadow them.
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Rachel’s Answer

I would ask friends and family friends if they know of any physicians that routinely let students shadow. You could always ask your own doctor. Additionally, when you volunteer at health clinics you could have the opportunity to shadow while volunteering as a scribe or other assistant.
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Estelle’s Answer

My recommendation would be to ask your own primary care provider if you could shadow him or her for the day. Additionally, if you know any specialists who treat your family or friends you could get in contact with them.
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