Shadowing a doctor

HopefulMii · #1 08-05-2010, 09:57 PM

I've been working for about a month and a half (starting my 7th week this monday) at a medical clinic. It's a very big clinic with alot of specialized doctors who do clinical consultations (they do the surgeries at the hospital obviously :P).

Some of them seem very nice, most of them know I'd like to get into med later on and shared with me how they got into med school.

I'd really like to shadow one of them, especially this one doctor (she specializes in plastic surgery (not sure..in french it's plasticienne). The thing is, I'm not sure how to ask them..or WHAT to ask them exactly...

I'd like to see how they do a consultation with a patient, what they ask and see what sort of situations they get...but wouldn't that kind of invade the privacy of the patient?

Do I just tell them I'd really like to shadow them while they work to see if I'd truly enjoy being a doctor?

@.@...

medguy5367 · #2 08-05-2010, 10:00 PM

LOL yep just tell them about your interest in their specialization and that you want to shadow them... After that, they will have a better idea of how they will be able to somehow involve you in their daily work.

kylamonkey · #3 08-05-2010, 10:07 PM

Yep, just be sincere and ask them if you can shadow them. Tell them you are aware that there are privacy and liability issues involved, but you'd really like the chance to follow them. Be polite, set an appointment with them to ask so you don't just ask during a really busy time.

samy · #4 08-05-2010, 10:29 PM

I've done shadowing once, it was a journey trip to the ER. For me it was really easy, I asked my aunt (who is a doctor) if I could spend a day shadowing with her.
She was doing geriatrics at this time so she told me it wouldn't be as cool as the ER and that she might had me shadowing an ER doctor (who was a friend of her in med school and a collegue) for one day.

The ER doctor accepted and it was a really nice experience. I've seen a lot in an 8 hours shift.(Carbon monoxyde intoxycation, some sick babies, complex wrist fracture, Ingrown nail, terrible headache,and a lot more !)

I was dressed like the doctor I was with (green shirt + pants). I was really looking like a med student. When we were entering exam rooms, the doctor was introducing me as a "student" and not a med student. I was in high school at this time so he wasn't lying

Patients have been really cooperative and didn't ask questions about me.

I had a contact who made it really easier for me... but you've been working with the plastic surgeon you want to shadow for nearly 2 months, you should ask her and not miss your chance ! You should have a chat with her and discuss your motivation/desire to see what she does/even try an OR shadowing?

However, be prepared for a refusal. Some doctors don't want to have a "burden" with them or some patients might want to be in private with their doctor.

I wish you luck !

HopefulMii · #5 08-06-2010, 12:02 AM

Oh- That's so cool :] I bet so much exciting stuff (not that it's exciting because people get hurt..but I mean you see interesting stuff) in the ER..probably much more than what happens in the clinic.

I've been looking at alot of test results (I have to seperate them then classify them in alphabetical orders)...it's almost always the same thing :3.

^^ I think I'm going to try asking next time I'm talking alone with them. It's hard to set up an appointement because they all work at the clinic and at the hospital or other clinics...so they only come when they have office hours and then leave right after :/

MedDream · #6 08-06-2010, 11:31 AM

Maybe try and catch them right before they leave? Or do you have their email address? I'm trying to set up shadowing with a family doc right now and she basically told me that emailing her is the only way for me to get good contact with her because she is so busy. Or perhaps ask (reeeeally nicely haha), if you could call them when they have a day off? I take it that even though some docs are wary of the liability and confidentiality issues, the vast majority are very proud of their work and like to show hopefuls what their jobs are really like

HopefulMii · #7 08-06-2010, 06:08 PM

I caught a doctor before he left =]
I don't have their emails :S just their home phones but I don't want to bother them at home =.=;

anyhow

He said yes on the spot but since he's going on vacation and I'm starting school (and therefore will only be working a few time during the school year), he told me to leave my coordinates with his secretary and he'd call me to set something up.

YESHH. :]

I didn't ask the person I wanted to ask though :3 Cud she seems kind of snobby most of the time so I think maybe I'll just play it friendly and get to know her a bit more.

^^ I'm really excited though.