<p>I'm a first year premed student in college, and my current semester course workload isn't as vigorous and time-consuming as I thought it would be whichis why I think right now is a good time to get i my volunteering and medically-related shadowig hours while I can. Right now I'm working on contacting hospitals around my area to get information on volunteering, but I'm debating whether I should try and get in touch with physicians, I'm a bit reluctant to due to the fact that physicians specifically surgeons, in my case because I'm going into surgery, (not to sond too presumptuous) are very busy and wouldnt have the time to allow students to shadow them, though some have the inclination to teach future medical professionals, they rarely have the time. So my question is, should I try to contact some surgeons in my area/hospitals, and is it possible to contact them through email/phone? Any suggestions would be helpful, Thanks!</p>
<p>When I had wrist surgery 3 years ago, there was student shadowing the ortho who did it. The student even was present (with my permission) during the surgery.</p>
<p>If you can find a surgeon who’s willing–go head and shadow. If the doc is too busy–she’ll just say no. </p>
<p>Don’t call–you won’t reach the doc, just their scheduling person. Start with email. </p>
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<p>You do sound presumptuous. You have no idea what a surgeon’s life is like, nor what kinds of skills and abilities are required. You don’t even know if you’ll make into med school, much less if you’ll have the STEP scores/LORs/research for a surgical specialty. (BTW I have a MS3 who is going into surgical specialty so I have a clue on this topic.)</p>
<p>Start with your pre-med advisor or pre-med club. They may know the physicians who are very receptive to students shadowing them. You are much better off if you are introduced to the physician through someone they know. Also, contact medical schools or residency programs in your area. Speak to the residency directors, or better yet, their administrative assistants. Those programs are so used to having students around. It is so much harder to shadow private surgeons since many community hospitals have put the clamps down on shadowing for patient privacy reasons. My hospital started by requiring that permission is granted by each patient and eventually they said no shadowing at all.</p>
<p>Thank you frugaldoctor! And Thank you WayOutWestMom for your advice and trying to forewarn me about my decision! Even though I’m not in med school yet, I feel safe saying that I do have an ACTUAL idea of what a surgeons life is like, some of the skills and abilities based on my previous experiences, extensive research,interaction within the medical field and my many hours of dedication to learning almost everything about the medical field, particularly surgery!</p>
<p>Research about the medical field ≠ first hand experience in a surgical rotation/surgical residency.</p>
<p>Just sayin’</p>
<p>I understand what you’re saying! And I do really appreciate the fair warning in advance. I just have faith in my future decisions and ambitions, and I know for a fact the medical field is for me, that’s all I was trying to insinuate in my earlier post.</p>