Shadowing(Part 1): How to & its Benefits

Every student should invest time in learning about their future career and what it involves; as a premed student one of the best ways to do this is through shadowing. Shadowing a physician may seem difficult but with perseverance and some hard work it is possible.

Here a couple ways you can go about finding a physician to shadow:

1. Contact your local hospitals volunteer office. The volunteer office normally handles shadowing students as well as other opportunities for non-medical personnel to participate in different opportunities around the hospital. Some hospitals ask that you already have a physician lined up to shadow and who has agreed to have you shadow them while other hospitals may have a program where they match you with a physician.

• Some requirements that are relatively standard in every hospital I have shadowed in here in the US are: A PPT test (TB skin test), background check, up to date immunizations, a state ID (official photo identification card), and completion of a HIPPA exam (covering patient confidentiality etc.), there may also be a minimum time commitment.

1. Contact your local private practice clinics. This can be an excellent way to get shadowing experience since physicians who own their own private practice can afford you multiple opportunities that otherwise you wouldn't be able to observe or take part in at a large hospital. The atmosphere and works of a private practice are also very different than those in a large hospital and can be an excellent experience as a student who may in the future like to start their own private practice.

• The requirements may vary between each private practice although the same HIPPA and health regulations are the same everywhere.

1. Email or call physicians directly. You can normally find contact information online or on their websites. I have done this for both private practices as well as large hospitals and have found this method to be extremely helpful and successful. You may not be put in contact with the physician right away but rather will speak with their secretary etc. but be persistent and respectful of their time while also keeping in mind your goals.

2. Contact the Department you would like to shadow in. You can find the contact information for the hospital department on their website usually under specialties or services provided. When you contact the department make sure to state who you are and express your interest in shadowing a physician in their department and ask about any physicians they know who would be willing to have a student shadow them. Keep in mind you will most likely have to combine this suggestion with #3 in order to successfully find a physician to shadow.

3. Ask people you know or even your own physician. This can be a beneficial way to find a physician to shadow, and find a mentor. I personally shadowed my pediatrician that I met probably around 10 years ago and she has become one of the best mentors I have ever had and is now more like a sister to me. Share your passions and desires to become a physician with your doctor and even if they cant take on a shadowing student I'm sure they will know a colleague that can.

4. Contact your local Free Clinics volunteer office. Not only can you volunteer at a free clinic but at some free clinics you may also be able to shadow volunteering physicians. I will be making a future blog posts further detailing opportunities similar to this.

Here is a link to the AAMC's Shadowing students guidelines:

https://www.aamc.org/download/356316/data/shadowingguidelines2013.pdf

I hope that you find these tips helpful and look into shadowing a physician. Shadowing is one way that students are able to rediscover and better understand their reasons for pursuing a career as an MD. I have learned so much from each patient and physician I have had the opportunity to observe as a shadowing student and I hope that you have an equally amazing and beneficial experience.

I will be posting a series of blog entries on the topic of shadowing including: shadowing abroad, a day as a shadowing student, shadowing and its benefits, and others. If there is a specific question or something you would like me to share on the topic of shadowing please let me know.

As always good luck on your journey and keep up the good work!

#Shadowing #Howto #Tips