<p>Hey,
I came abroad this summer to visit some family members in India and I thought to shadow at a well recognized hospital here. Because it is a corporate hospital, there is no such "shadowing program."
Through some referrals from contacts, the medical director agreed to let me "tag" along with a team through their rounds and observe. I have been given access to labs and pre/post op clinical observation.
I have never shadowed before and since there is no such "program" the staff and doctors will be new to my presence.</p>
<p>My question: What should I do to make the most of this experience and how can I not be a "burden" to them. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>First of all, very few hospitals in the US have formal shadowing programs so your situation isn’t particularly unusual.</p>
<p>General advice:</p>
<p>1) Stay out of the way of the staff! They have jobs to do and you getting between them and their patient/job–don’t do it. Ever. Be present, but be unobtrusive.</p>
<p>2) Save any questions you may have for private, away from patients and other staff, when the person you’re shadowing has downtime and the leisure to answer your questions.</p>
<p>3) Don’t ask questions just to be asking questions. Curiosity is fine, but asking questions just to hear your own voice or look "informed or “intelligent” is bad form–and very annoying.</p>
<p>4) Don’t allow yourself to be pressured to perform/assist with procedures that you’re not qualified to do. This is a matter of appropriate ethical behavior. </p>
<p>As for the rest–play it by ear. Some practitioners are more open to questions and students than others.</p>