<p>I did EXACTLY what you’re thinking you should do and it was remarkably successful (have been shadowing 2 of the physicians I found this way for 2+ years each, and am thrilled to call them mentors and friends. Their influence has been phenomenal). </p>
<p>This is approximately what I said: </p>
<p>Hello Dr I’d like to shadow</p>
<p>My name is kristin5792. I’m a sophomore biology major at this school and am pursuing a pre-med track though our Honors College. I would really like to “get my feet wet” with medicine at your hospital and was wondering if you would be kind enough to help me out.</p>
<p>This summer I was fortunate enough to spend a few days shadowing physicians at home in my hometown, and I am eager to continue doing so in my college town. However, I do not have as many contacts with physicians in my college town as I do in at home, so I carefully began perusing the Medical School’s website and the hospital’s “Find a Physician” function over Winter Break to perhaps remedy this problem. I decided to especially concentrate on surgical oncologists; after all, I’ve observed a few surgeries and found them absolutely fascinating, and have been involved with cancer research since my first semester here, so why not combine the two?</p>
<p>By now, you may have guessed that this is where your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Could I shadow you during this upcoming semester? Of course, I would not want to be a hindrance to your practice, and completely understand if I cannot or if my shadowing you is against some policy or practice. (If the latter is the case, please accept my sincerest apologies for bothering you tonight.) However, if it would be possible to arrange something with you, I would be very grateful.</p>
<p>I know this is incredibly random and a huge shot in the dark, but I decided that I might as well start somewhere. If we are unable to make something work, do you have any suggestions for other physicians that would be willing to allow me to shadow them? If (somewhat blindly) contacting physicians is an inappropriate way to find someone to shadow, what would be a better way to get started?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me.</p>
<p>Best regards,
kristin5792</p>
<p>Identifying details were changed to generic ones.</p>
<p>In both cases, the response to the effect of “I applaud your enthusiasm for wanting to get involved, and I would be happy to have you in my clinic. My clinic meets on these days at these times. Send my secretary an email so you can come in beforehand and fill out forms. See you soon!” The 4ish other physicians I emailed politely declined but did offer wonderful suggestions–I just didn’t use their suggestions since I already had found 2 to shadow.</p>
<p>Friends have used this template successfully too–nearly all of my friends who didn’t know doctors here used a version of this email to get started. I can’t imagine we’re that creative, and I bet students do this all the time. Your best bet is to focus on doctors who are familiar with teaching–which is another reason why I started with my school’s med school’s hospital instead of the community hospital in my city.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>