Comments on: Pre-Med Preparation: The Importance of Physician Shadowing http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/ A nonprofit educational organization Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:12:52 -0500 hourly 1 By: John http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-7747 John Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:10:05 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-7747 I am having the same problem. I did some volunteer time with the county hospital and ended up directing patient flow in the lobby. They acted really excited about having me, but when I expressed a desire to get involved in an area involving provider/patient interaction , they blew me off and the clinic director stopped returning my emails. I shadowed a interventional radiologist for 6 hours and loved the experience. He contacted me the next day and told me to contact him on my next break from school and he would allow me to return. Several attempts later I still have no reply from him. I am 39 and working full-time while completing my pre-med course work. That makes shadowing difficult as well. As a software developer working for a managed care provider I know a great deal about HIPAA and can see how it may render shadowing a thing of the past. I am having the same problem. I did some volunteer time with the county hospital and ended up directing patient flow in the lobby. They acted really excited about having me, but when I expressed a desire to get involved in an area involving provider/patient interaction , they blew me off and the clinic director stopped returning my emails. I shadowed a interventional radiologist for 6 hours and loved the experience. He contacted me the next day and told me to contact him on my next break from school and he would allow me to return. Several attempts later I still have no reply from him. I am 39 and working full-time while completing my pre-med course work. That makes shadowing difficult as well. As a software developer working for a managed care provider I know a great deal about HIPAA and can see how it may render shadowing a thing of the past.

]]> By: Angie http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6925 Angie Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:34:23 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6925 Did you ever end up finding a physician to shadow? I'm in the spot as you. 15 year old sophomore and wanting to shadow a physician. I'd like to know how that turned out for you, because at this age, I'm not even sure if I can find a someone who will let me shadow them. Did you ever end up finding a physician to shadow? I’m in the spot as you. 15 year old sophomore and wanting to shadow a physician. I’d like to know how that turned out for you, because at this age, I’m not even sure if I can find a someone who will let me shadow them.

]]> By: Angie http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6923 Angie Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:39:04 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6923 If I were you, I would learn correct grammar before correcting other's grammar. Dominic used "then" right. The word "than" is used when comparing. For example, "My grades are better THAN yours." If I were you, I would learn correct grammar before correcting other’s grammar. Dominic used “then” right. The word “than” is used when comparing. For example, “My grades are better THAN yours.”

]]> By: Ahmad http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6616 Ahmad Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:41:24 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6616 A Medical Doctor is a professional who not only is an expert in medicine, but has also mastered the English Language. Before you give any advice, I'd suggest you know the difference between "then" and "than." A Medical Doctor is a professional who not only is an expert in medicine, but has also mastered the English Language. Before you give any advice, I’d suggest you know the difference between “then” and “than.”

]]> By: Gopi http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6588 Gopi Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:23:30 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-6588 Finding a great doc to shadow is a bit difficult especially since not all docs are great teachers. I was lucky enough to start shadowing a medical director of the intensivist unit in a hospital. I've gotten stuck in the doctors' lounge while she had to go to some meetings I couldn't attend but that was the best thing ever. I ended up meeting so many docs and even had docs introduce themselves to me! I ended up with the contact info for 3-5 docs who all offered to let me shadow them whenever I wanted. Plus the intensivist I'm shadowing really makes sure I understand the basic concepts behind various diseases before seeing individual patients. I would say definitely start out with a primary care physician and then move your way up to the surgical stuff it that's what interests you. Really depends on the doc you get and if he/she really knows how to teach you without interrupting his/her schedule. Also, definitely try to get in on daily rounds. You'll end up meeting a lot of nurses, PAs, etc. Don't discount them! When the doc you're shadowing is busy in a meeting or with patients, they are usually always willing to show/teach you stuff. Hospital shadowing is sooo much better than a small private practice. Makes for a great networking opportunity! Finding a great doc to shadow is a bit difficult especially since not all docs are great teachers. I was lucky enough to start shadowing a medical director of the intensivist unit in a hospital. I’ve gotten stuck in the doctors’ lounge while she had to go to some meetings I couldn’t attend but that was the best thing ever. I ended up meeting so many docs and even had docs introduce themselves to me! I ended up with the contact info for 3-5 docs who all offered to let me shadow them whenever I wanted. Plus the intensivist I’m shadowing really makes sure I understand the basic concepts behind various diseases before seeing individual patients. I would say definitely start out with a primary care physician and then move your way up to the surgical stuff it that’s what interests you. Really depends on the doc you get and if he/she really knows how to teach you without interrupting his/her schedule. Also, definitely try to get in on daily rounds. You’ll end up meeting a lot of nurses, PAs, etc. Don’t discount them! When the doc you’re shadowing is busy in a meeting or with patients, they are usually always willing to show/teach you stuff. Hospital shadowing is sooo much better than a small private practice. Makes for a great networking opportunity!

]]> By: Teressa http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-5852 Teressa Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:39:34 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-5852 I find shadowing to be really fun and has confirmed for me that I want to be in medicine. However I agree with other posters that it is NOT easy to set-up and do. I have asked everyone I know to set me up with shadow opportunities, and most of them have fallen through. I was lucky enough to get one really great opportunity and I shadowed him for about 6 months every other week for 4-6 hours. I think that some people might find it excessive, but he is the one who wrote my recommendation so I wanted to make sure that he knew me fairly well. Now I am looking for a new long term one like that for if I need to reapply with new recommendations, so far no luck. I find shadowing to be really fun and has confirmed for me that I want to be in medicine. However I agree with other posters that it is NOT easy to set-up and do. I have asked everyone I know to set me up with shadow opportunities, and most of them have fallen through. I was lucky enough to get one really great opportunity and I shadowed him for about 6 months every other week for 4-6 hours. I think that some people might find it excessive, but he is the one who wrote my recommendation so I wanted to make sure that he knew me fairly well.

Now I am looking for a new long term one like that for if I need to reapply with new recommendations, so far no luck.

]]> By: Dustin http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-5851 Dustin Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:27:05 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-5851 I was wondering what one should do when they are full time at work and full time at school while raising toddler two year olds. My father is in the medical field and has been my entire life, so I know what medicine is, and what it entails, but I would like to have a stellar resume because I am about as non traditional as you can be. Im 34 years old and have a ready made family. It has been my dream to pursue a career in medicine but have been scared of the proposition until my children were born. Better late than never. Any suggestions? I am pre-med now in undergrad. I was wondering what one should do when they are full time at work and full time at school while raising toddler two year olds. My father is in the medical field and has been my entire life, so I know what medicine is, and what it entails, but I would like to have a stellar resume because I am about as non traditional as you can be. Im 34 years old and have a ready made family. It has been my dream to pursue a career in medicine but have been scared of the proposition until my children were born. Better late than never. Any suggestions? I am pre-med now in undergrad.

]]> By: Oneka Saleem http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1445 Oneka Saleem Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:39:45 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1445 Hi, I'm a sophomore in college.Pre med is my major.I was wondering if it was a good idea for me to start shadowing now,or should I wait until my senior year? Hi, I’m a sophomore in college.Pre med is my major.I was wondering if it was a good idea for me to start shadowing now,or should I wait until my senior year?

]]> By: Tanya Adkin http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1444 Tanya Adkin Sat, 08 Jan 2011 05:07:32 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1444 My son is a sophomore in an all-boys Catholic high school. He currently is doubled up in sciences, takes Junior level courses, scored a 2300 on SAT and on the pre-ACT scored 100% of his math correctly..he g.p.a. is "acceptable" at 3.86, volunteers at the hospital, is doing research in physics at O.S.U. on ?stretching fibers and cancer cells, takes college classes during the summer and has already received credit for all of his freshman year English and Maths, won 3rd in the nation on his physics team and his In the Know team took first in the nation for a division 1 school....So... this looks like he is on the right course to college and medical school, but...he has been advised to shadow as many doctors as he can...starting now! I can't imagine what kind of questions he could even ask the doctor between patients, but he has to do it. His guidance counselor has a son in medical school at O.S.U. and his resume for college was even more impressive than my 10th graders resume..his father interviewed applicants for the U.S.A.F.A. and obviously knew what they were looking for in the students. Don't get me wrong, OSU is a fine school, but we were aiming for U.of Chicago or Harvard not OSU. Shadowing is a key part of having a great resume..but I think that there must be something else that makes the resumes of accepted students "jump off the desk" for the interviewers and I just haven't figured out what that is...Is there really such a thing as a "golden resume"? I'd love to know what it is... My son is a sophomore in an all-boys Catholic high school. He currently is doubled up in sciences, takes Junior level courses, scored a 2300 on SAT and on the pre-ACT scored 100% of his math correctly..he g.p.a. is “acceptable” at 3.86, volunteers at the hospital, is doing research in physics at O.S.U. on ?stretching fibers and cancer cells, takes college classes during the summer and has already received credit for all of his freshman year English and Maths, won 3rd in the nation on his physics team and his In the Know team took first in the nation for a division 1 school….So… this looks like he is on the right course to college and medical school, but…he has been advised to shadow as many doctors as he can…starting now! I can’t imagine what kind of questions he could even ask the doctor between patients, but he has to do it. His guidance counselor has a son in medical school at O.S.U. and his resume for college was even more impressive than my 10th graders resume..his father interviewed applicants for the U.S.A.F.A. and obviously knew what they were looking for in the students. Don’t get me wrong, OSU is a fine school, but we were aiming for U.of Chicago or Harvard not OSU. Shadowing is a key part of having a great resume..but I think that there must be something else that makes the resumes of accepted students “jump off the desk” for the interviewers and I just haven’t figured out what that is…Is there really such a thing as a “golden resume”? I’d love to know what it is…

]]> By: jake http://studentdoctor.net/2008/03/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1443 jake Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:49:40 +0000 http://studentdoctor.net/blog/2008/03/22/pre-med-preparation-the-importance-of-physician-shadowing/#comment-1443 spot on mate spot on mate

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