<p>I plan on shadowing an eye doctor, but I am unsure how to ask him. Also, exactly, what do you guys do when you shadow a doctor? I have thought about shadowing an eye doctor but it seems like there's a limitation in what I can do. I mean, it seems really limited or little in what I can do to shadow him. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I think following an ophthalmologist would constitute eye shadow.</p>
<p>lol........................</p>
<p>Just come right out and ask him. Bring your resume. </p>
<p>You can't know what shadowing a doctor is like until you do it. It might be limited, but it's still a great experience.</p>
<p>Network.</p>
<p>I think Dr. Sedrish was trying to hint at your use of "eye doctor" instead of the proper term of Ophthalmologist.</p>
<p>can you shadow as an 18 yr old...or do docs have a college pref</p>
<p>Doogie,</p>
<p>To answer your questions--it's easy, just ask! Tell the ophthalmologist you are considering a career in the field, and would like to see what their workday is like, what kinds of problems they deal with, and just get a better feel for what ophthalmologists do--explain why you want to shadow them!<br>
I am a college junior but have shadowed a few times since high school. It's been pediatrics, not ophthalmology, but all the doctors I talked to were very accomodating and eager to help! If you have a good relationship with your eye doctor, you could ask to shadow him/her--or, just look in a phone book, start calling, and ask the receptionists to try to set up a day to shadow.
I have done one-day shadowing things, or volunteering, so if you want a long-term shadow, you might want to call ahead and then visit the office in person.
Another option would be to try to have an adult set it up, especially if it's long-term. In high school, the gifted education coordinator set it up for me, and in college, a career counselor helped me out.</p>
<p>For the age question--not sure. Because of confidentiality, the pediatrician I shadowed asked all the parents & patients if I could be present in the observation room as a student observe, but that's a question she'd ask for anyone, no matter what age. It definitely can't hurt to ask--but I know plenty of people who shadowed physicians in high school, so I'm betting it won't be an issue.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I think physicians are for the most part more than willing to let students shadow them for a while. Provided you dont distract them too much from their work and that you don't shadow them for an unusually long time. Just get a feel for what they do and once you're pretty familiar and its routine, you dont learn much by continuing. If you have some contact it helps, but if you just tell them about your vested interest, they'll understand. Being considerate usually comes with the profession.</p>
<p>I shadowed a general practitioner, an orthopedic surgeon, and a neurologist, each for about two or three weeks, during my 10th grade summer and then another general practitioner during 11th grade summer. They were all (seemingly, at least) very happy to have me there and the orthopedic surgeon even let me follow him into surgery and his office threw a farewell party when I left and gave me a whole bunch of stuff like a stethoscope, scrubs, the game "operation", etc. All I did was send letters out to several doctors saying how I'm interested in a health career and so on and asked if they would permit me to shadow them. 6 of the 7 doctors I sent letters to said yes, so they're more than willing to have high schoolers do it. </p>
<p>buena suerte.</p>
<p>I think a letter followed up with a call to his secretary would be the best way to approach it. If you know him personally (as a patient, parent's friend, friend's parent, etc.), then you can ask directly</p>
<p>Sorry to stereotype, many doctors are female, so make it him/her where appropriate.</p>
<p>slipstream99: How did you choose which doctors to send letters to? Did you know them?</p>
<p>I'm an entering college freshman and I've followed around a cardiologist, cardiovascular surgeon, pulmonary specialist, and an ER doctor during my Senior yr for my senior project. It was AWESOME!...i followed em around for 6-8 hrs a day for 1 wk each. The heart bypass surgeries were INCREDIBLE!!!! but they were all happy to have me follow em around and it was a bit easier cause they knew me by my dad cause hes a doc 2 :) But yea just ask and they'll almost always never say no to an interested future physician</p>
<p>That's a great idea. I was thinking of shadowing a doctor as well! I would want to shadow a surgeon, probably cardiac since I am interested in the heart. And for this I have a question: has anyone here felt nauseous or dizzy when in the operating room? I have never been in one but I'd certainly want to test myself.</p>
<p>i think its sumthing everyone goes through but you deal with it. For me thats how it was anyway. I mean the first time i was exposed to a deep laceration i felt woozy when i watched it get stiched up, but now I am in EMS and ive seen things like a severed hand, GSW's, crushed skulls/other body parts, definatly worse then a minor laceration, but i got used to it. I think its not as bad when you know what to do during situations like that. You dont really focus on the blood and guts, you focus on what you need to do to help. It sounds cliche, but your training truly does take over your mind. Thats how i feel at least, and i dont get dizzy. Granted its no operating room, but my enviroment is a little more uncontrolled. lol</p>
<p>i was gonna call a doc i know, but how should i phrase it where i dont sound pushy or awkward. Like what do i say to her...?</p>
<p>Everybodies first time in an OR is strange. It all depends on how the hospital keeps it. If they keep it hot, people have been known to pass out form the heat. From my own personal experience you get used to it quick, and if you can't take the blood you will quickly realize surgery isnt for you. If you leave feeling more energized and fulfilled then ever before in your life you probably have found yourself a career.</p>
<p>How do you approach the doctors.. any ideas, like what would you say?</p>
<p>Introduce yourself, explain your situation, and ask.</p>
<p>Yup. Don't be shy.</p>