<p>I'm currently shadowing a surgeon (which is what I want to be). Is there anything I can do besides just standing there and asking questions? Is it absurd to ask for more like being taught how to suture or something? What has your experiences been with shadowing and if you have ever heard of a program or a person that does something "more".</p>
<p>Also how can I get closer to my surgeon? I ask questions and I really am excited and love shadowing him. I just don't know what I can do to further express myself and get a closer/better bond than the regular average shadow.</p>
<p>You need to understand that the doctor you are shadowing is doing you a very great favor by allowing you to accompany him or her. Doctors are extremely busy with seeing their patients, calling families, looking up results, confering with colleagues, and filling out notes, authorizations and disability forms. But every minute they are answering your questions could mean time in their lunch or at the end of their day to finish those tasks. We do it because it is important to train up the next generation and we take that responsibility seriously. And mostly, we enjoy it. But, asking your surgeon of ‘something more’ is really asking a lot! The best thing you can do is be respectful and observe. Of course you cannot touch a patient or participate in their care in any way (HIPPA and liability). If you want to learn to suture, find a surgical resident or intern and see if they will show you the basics. You will be sewing towels together in all likelihood. Or, in this day and age, you could probably find a U-tube video to teach you.</p>
<p>“Is it absurd to ask for more like being taught how to suture or something?”
If you are UG, yes, it is absurd. If you are Med. Student, you can learn outside of your shadowing and you actually might be doing that during your surgery rotation.</p>
<p>if you want to learn suturing, i 2nd the youtube suggestion. You could buy a suture kit or ask the doc if they have one you could borrow - I don’t think that would be too much to ask.</p>
<p>My question about shadowing: How do you find somebody willing to let an undergraduate shadow? Around here, none of the physicians will let anybody into their offices because of liability and confidentiality. I think a student can sign up at the hospital to observe, but I think they assign you to a service you are interested in- say Labor and Delivery or Orthopedic Surgery. Then you can follow the doctors on that floor. Any other tips?</p>
<p>Some universities that have medical schools, have formal shadowing schedules at their affiliated hospitals. At my son’s school, JHU, they actually offer a 1-2 credit winter course (pass/fail) for shadowing. All the three shadowing opportunities for my son came through personal recommendations from other doctors. Most hospitals in our area have formal procedures in place for shadowing (forms, TB tests, vaccinations etc.). It may be hard for a doctor to let somebody shadow him/her at his/her own practice, because of the concerns you mentioned. But, they may be more inclined to let you do so at the hospitals.</p>
<p>Our local public hospitals and the VA all prohibit shadowing due to insurance and liability concerns, but private hospitals are more accommodating. One of the local privates offer summer shadowing opportunities thru their academic outreach office. You might try contacting private hospitals near your summer location.</p>
<p>Medical school/teaching hospitals are more likely than community hospitals to set up shadowing situations even you aren’t a student at the associated undergrad.</p>