Pre-Med Preparation: The Importance of Physician Shadowing

by Christian Becker, Author of The Official Student Doctor Network Medical School Admissions Guide

Physician shadowing, in my opinion, is one of the best extracurricular activities in which a pre-medical student can engage for several reasons:

1. It provides you with clinical exposure and stories to talk about in the admission interview.
2. Shadowing allows you to see what medicine and a physician’s life are like every day.
3. You will quickly discover if medicine is really for you.
4. It’s easy to set up and do.
5. It’s one of those “intangible” (and unofficial) requirements to get into medical school.

For purposes of this discussion, shadowing really boils down to one thing: clinical exposure. If you already have worked as a nurse or medical assistant with ample patient and physician contact and interaction, you really don’t need any shadowing, or at least not much. It’s an easy way to get that important clinical exposure that can make or break your application.  Read more »

20 Questions - Lee C. Rogers, DPM [Diabetic Limb Salvage]

by Sarah M. Lawrence
SDN Staff Writer

Lee C. Rogers, DPM is the director of the Amputation Prevention Center at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. Dr. Rogers graduated from podiatric medical school at Des Moines University and completed a residency in foot surgery at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of Brooklyn/Queens in New York City. He completed a fellowship in diabetic limb salvage and research at Scholl’s Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) in Chicago, IL. Dr. Rogers has approximately 50 publications, in press or in print, including scientific articles, book chapters, and editorials concentrating on the treatment and prevention of foot complications in diabetes.  Read more »

Sign on the Dotted Line: No-Harm Contracts in the Clinical Setting

by Tim Shea, M.S.
SDN Staff Writer

When working with a depressed patient the risk of suicide is a very real and present concern. Health care professionals need to be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively. The literature suggests a multi-faceted approach to assess and address the self-harm risk, with one element being the implementation of a “no-harm contract”. The document in its simplest form is a written agreement between the patient and the health care professional that states the patient’s willingness and commitment to notifying a relative or healthcare professional of their intent to harm themselves, instead of engaging in harmful behavior. Read more »

20 Questions - Ken Elder, O.D. [Optometry]

by Sarah M. Lawrence
SDN Staff Writer

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Dr. Elder graduated from the State University of New York College of Optometry after serving an internship with the Indian Health Service on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Upon graduating, Dr. Elder completed his residency in Primary Care at SUNY. After his residency Dr. Elder served as clinic director for TLC Laser Eye Centers in Las Vegas, Nevada before moving back east to Connecticut. Today, he is a partner in a two-doctor private practice in central Connecticut. Dr. Elder enjoys golf, photographing historical sites, and cheering on his beloved Buffalo Sabres during the NHL hockey season. Read more »

© 1999-2007 Coastal Research Group. Some rights reserved.
The SDN Logo and "Student Doctor Network" are registered trademarks of CRG.

TRUSTe Trust Mark   Creative Commons License   We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify.   HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.