Shadowing, why not?
During the time before med school, shadowing a physician was a concept I didn't understand. Finding a doctor, because I had no connection to any of them. Once finding one, how to behave or act, so I can develop a relationship with them. Lastly, what I should expect, because I didn't know what I will take away from the experience. Hopefully with some insight, this blog can give some ideas to meat and foster relationship with doctors.
1. Finding a Doc.
This can be a hard task, especially if you don't have any connections to a physician, but here are some few ideas I've heard and tried myself to start shadowing
1. Look for a physician at a teaching hospital, they're more likely to have programs that allow pre-med/ med students to shadow at their hospital
2. If you're attending a master's program which has a med school, there should be doctors lurking around. Find their office and meet with them. You'll be surprise how willing they are to have a shadow.
3. Attend " doctor conferences" I know... intimidating, but last year I had the opportunity to meet a few pre-med students at medical conferences...I was a bit shocked, but it's such a good opportunity to meet vast amount of doctors who are willing to talk with you.
2. Being a Shadow
Personally, I haven't mastered this, but I've shadowed a few doctors and the few things I've learned about shadowing is this
1. Ask appropriate questions, I think it's great to be curious but be mindful on what you are being curious about
2. Never think a case was cool, a case can be interesting but not cool, remember patients are people.
3. Learn about the physician you are shadowing, by asking them why they decided to be a physician. You just might find a new mentor.
3. The Reward
Shadowing is a great opportunity to learn and make relationships. Relationships are important! When you take the opportunity to shadow definitely foster those relationships because they can not only help you in the future but can give you guidance throughout your journey to med school. In my experience, my first shadow became one of my mentors which I still talk to till this day, and I absolutely adore him as a physician.
when shadowing, remember the goal is to learn about being a physician first hand. You want to be able to see what they do and see if you can see yourself doing it too.
My number one advice: Always take some time to reflect about the opportunity you had so that you can revisit those moments.