<p>Just a few questions about "shadowing" experiences. What kind and how much shadowing do med schools look for? Specifically, how much time did you spend as an undergrad shadowing physicians? Did you find that the physicians let you follow them everywhere or did you spend more time walking around their offices and seeing how everything worked? And how did you go about setting all this up with your collaborating physician? When it came time to apply to med school, did you need some type of documentation from the doctors to prove that you did this? </p>
<p>I know that's a lot of questions, but I appreciate your input.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I can only answer two of your questions because i'm just finishing up my first shadowing experience. </p>
<p>Shadowing a plastic surgeon in a solo private practice
How did i get the position?
my mom used to work in his office, so luckily it was a very easy connection</p>
<p>How do i spend my time?
3/4 of the time i go in and watch the surgeries. If i have a question, the surgeon has no problem answering me while he's working. I also ask the surgical tech, anesthesiologist, and the nurse any questions i may have.</p>
<p>1/4 of the time i go in on patient days. I generally follow the doc around while he's seeing patients. I've gotten to know a couple of the patients, so i can have actual conversations with them in the exam room.</p>
<p>I never expected shadowing to be as valuable to D as it was. After she returned from her language immersion experience in Spain , she started shadowing. </p>
<p>My D just finished up last week. She had a ball. @180hours with 3 main docs. Opthalmologist, plastic surgeon, cardiologist. Dozens of surgeries with a open heart being the high point. Got to work as a "tech".Did actual eye exams. Got to use the machines. Went everywhere the docs went. Translated for the Spanish only patients. Saw 3 distinct types of practices and what each entailed. Lots of after work 1 on 1 conversations about everything under the medical sun. </p>
<p>I knew all 3 docs personally and she knew one as she had babysat for his kids many times . I made one call to each of the two she didn't know asking if my D could call and schedule an appointment to meet with them about possibly shadowing them. I made no other efforts on her behalf. She made the calls. Went to the interviews. Made the schedule. Kept up the contacts. I never darkened the door.</p>
<p>Reports card: 1.) Cardiologist: First UG that was allowed in an open heart by this cardiologist. Got to push some button that shocked the heart. No joke. 2.) Plastic Surgeon: Is insisting upon writing her a rec for her to "bank". 3.) And my favorite, the Opthalmologist : The staff threw her a going away party!!</p>
<p>It couldn't have gone better. She's pretty pumped about her career choice and feels all 3 of these docs will be continuing mentors at some level.</p>
<p>As an aside : she feels even less able to consider a potential "specialty". I think she'll be that way well into medical school.</p>
<p>Is it typical for a pre-med student to shadow their own doctors? As in they were (or maybe still are) the doctor's patient? </p>
<p>Or is it better to shadow a doctor who will see you more as a pre-med student?</p>
<p>Its more about who is willing to let you shadow. There are many doctors who would love to have a pre-med student shadow them because they remember doing it themselves. Then there are those doctors who do not want someone following them around. </p>
<p>Usually, most people start out with their own doctor because many times thats the only person who would actually let them. Then they go on to see other doctors. So I would say go to whoever will allow you. </p>
<p>Its always easier when you have family friends who are doctors because they are friends with other doctors and they could put in a good word. For example, my parents are good friends with 4 or 5 doctors who "hooked me up" with other doctors. The hospital that I volunteer at also has a great shadow program.</p>
<p>"Its always easier when you have family friends who are doctors because they are friends with other doctors and they could put in a good word. For example, my parents are good friends with 4 or 5 doctors who "hooked me up" with other doctors. The hospital that I volunteer at also has a great shadow program."
In my opinion, the premed process expected for medical school (ECs, shadowing especially) is very unfair since it relies more on how well your parents or relatives are acquainted to doctors than on how much you are motivated to become a doctor. In my case for example, I have asked around 20 doctors to shadow, and none of them accepted. This is because I am completely new to them, and they just feel reluctant to let sb they don't know to follow them in their office (my parents don't know personally any doctors)</p>
<p>Just my opinion, though.</p>
<p>It's very common for students to shadow their own doctors or family member's doctors. Patients very commonly broach the subject by stating that their child has a great interest in medicine. One approach that almost always results in failure is asking to observe a procedure on a family member.</p>
<p>Connections do help, but they need not be at the MD level. I've had children of RN's and housekeeping staff at the hospital shadow me in the operating room. The key is to be professional (speech, manners, dress and attitude), interested and motivated.</p>
<p>^^ Just curious, are you a resident or a doctor?</p>
<p>Anesthesiologist, in private practice since 1995.</p>