How do I get shadowing experience?
This is probably one of the frequently asked questions many pre-meds have starting out. It seems like such a scary thing to ask a doctor or any health professional about shadowing.
What I will say is this:
It is not as scary as it seems. Many students may ask others to shadow a doctor another student may have shadowed. This is a great way to get shadowing through a mutual connection. If you do not know anyone, do not fear. I actually did not know anyone either.
However, I did recall meeting an awesome OBGYN during my rotations in high school and reached out to Houston Methodist Hospital to contact her. I had to go through many loopholes just to get her email but I was able to get in touch and shadow her for over a year during school breaks.
Sometimes you may have to make your own way. If doors are not opening, make sure you continue seeking opportunities. I highly recommend calling local clinics in your area before contacting large hospitals. It is usually easier and the Manager is the one that is usually in charge and has a say so.
Search the location you're interested in and also a list of providers you would like to shadow starting with your top choice. It may vary for different clinics but have the name of the doctor ready and provide basic information about yourself (Name, education, why you want to shadow). If this conversation is over the phone, then you don't have all day to talk. I suggest keeping your elevator pitch very short because you won't know if you can or can't shadow until the person on the phone says so.
Tips:
Know the dates you want to shadow and be flexible
Do not be afraid to talk on the phone
Search multiple places (preferably smaller clinics)
Be professional & provide a resume & cover letter
Now that you've got the shadowing confirmed, what's next?
-Dress code: Be sure to find out the dress code preferred. It is common to dress business professional while shadowing, although I wore scrubs (simply because the doctor said that was fine).
Sometimes you can wear scrubs as well. Be sure not to get mistaken as an actual staff member (trust me it happens)
-Keep your look simple and professional but make sure you are comfortable. You will be walking a lot and following people around or doing tasks that require a lot of movement. Don't over do it with makeup, jewelry, perfume, etc.
-Pay close attention to what the doctor, nurses, MA's, etc do. The reason why I say this is because you never know when you will be asked to do something. By the time I was done shadowing I honestly felt like I was an MA that worked there LOL and that was a good feeling. I felt like I was part of the team. One day they were short an MA and I could tell the stress levels were high so I made sure I was available to help do anything like set up the patient room, get the patients vitals, notify the staff to place orders, etc. If I wouldn't have paid attention I wouldn't have known how to do these things. For example, knowing what to do with the swab after a pap smear. Luckily I paid attention and knew what to do.
If you don't remember it is okay to ask. You aren't a professional...yet!
- Take notes & ask questions (good questions). It is okay to be curious. That's why you are there. To learn. But be sure to ask your questions at the appropriate time. If you have a long list of questions and are eager to ask, just wait until the doctor has a second (e.g.when they return to their desk to do charting, when the patient is not in the room, etc.) Be sure to write notes as you observe. I didn't want to bring a large tablet because I felt that it would be in the way and I wouldn't really have a place to store it. So instead I brought a small notepad that was pocket size! This was the best way for me personally. It could take it right out if I wanted to jot something down really quickly and it wouldn't look distracting and could easily before stored in my pocket at all times.
-always grab gloves. Every new room you go into you need a new pair of clothes and place the used pair in the Bio-hazard bin before exiting the room. You may be around bodily fluids and other things that can put you at risk of getting you sick. Better safe than sorry.
You're done shadowing? Now what?
-Keep in touch! Just because you shadowed them one time doesn't mean that it will be the end. If you really enjoyed your experience, it doesn't hurt to ask to shadow again during your next break! Sometimes they will even ask for you to come back which is a great feeling! You also want to stay in touch because this gives you an opportunity to receive a letter of recommendation in the future ( you honestly never know when you need one). Staying in touch could be getting their contact info (it would be great to have their cell phone number). Stay up to date on their lives. You never know when they will switch jobs, quit or take on a new position somewhere else. If you just so happen to find them on social media (stick to Facebook lol) then don't be afraid to add them (just depends on their personality and if you feel comfortable doing that). This is why it is important to get to know them and their personal lives while you are spending time with them. Not only is it great to hear about their lives outside of medicine, but it gives you a chance to know them personally.
-Send them a thank you note! It really shows your appreciation and looks good!
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