How to SHADOW a Doctor: EVERYTHING You Need to Know

[@AlbornozVEVO]

a good tip is to contact internal medicine physicians. they're fountains of information, and their practice requires them to be excellent communicators and teachers. all of the things you want in a mentor.

[@asmaaharfoush7706]

Thank you so much for the video. I was so nervous about shadowing as I am a very shy person and sometimes chicken out of emailing people

[@Shemmassian]

Hi Asmaa! We totally understand. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear "yes" on the first try. There are many physicians out there who want to help aspiring premeds!

[@rylanemery1238]

Sorry to be so off topic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I love any tips you can offer me.

[@DavidGreeneMtgJudge]

I love the idea of attaching your resume. A very "show, don't tell" approach.

[@michaelj9944]

I'm shadowing a Dr called Bryant today and i just came here for the basic sense of background understanding of shadowing, didn't expect the email example to be about Dr. Bryant, it took me by surprise 😭

[@Dylski.]

Finished my placement shadowing various family physicians and loved it. Very interesting although at times upsetting.

[@Shemmassian]

Wonderful!

[@nidhib6309]

This was such a well made video! I learned a lot. Thank you so much :)

[@Shemmassian]

You got it, Nidhi! :)

[@fatimabah5663]

I really needed this video! Thank you soo much

[@bernardlz]

this was very informative, thank you!

[@Shemmassian]

You're so welcome!

[@julienalexander6113]

Thank you

[@edwardelric715]

My sixth form has work experience week next year. Would I be able to shadow a doctor, a family friend, that works in the hospital for a week? Other sources of work at hospitals I have found are volunteering and mostly consisting of talking and welcoming patients but nothing too medical based. I'm not sure if the hospital would allow me to shadow a doctor, however the doctor themselves are fine with it.

[@farzanehahmadi1550]

Very very helpful thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@Shemmassian]

You're welcome, Farzaneh!

[@fighterboy6521]

Sir,it really inspirs

[@katherinebrown2841]

Can you do a video on if getting a LOR from your shadowing physician if worth including or how to increase your shadowing experience so you will get a good LOR from them?

[@Shemmassian]

Of course! We'll put that into the queue. Thanks for reaching out! In the meanwhile, we do have some thoughts on both shadowing experiences and LORs. Links below! www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-ask-to-shadow-a-doctor kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjcooqZftZsZ68& lor@

[@DS-iz9bq]

So much great information, thank you!

[@sehanpunchihewa2945]

Great video I love your content ! Can we get a video on getting into Stanford ?

[@Shemmassian]

Glad you like the video, Sehan! We'll put a Stanford Med video on our to do list. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out our guide on How to Get Into Stanford Med School: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-get-into-stanford-medical-school

[@smileypup234]

Hey y'all, I want some advice. Please help. So I recently emailed a local hospital asking that if they could let me shadow a physician working in that hospital. They replied by saying 'ask our General Manager'. So I asked him and guess what? He agreed. But later that night when I was researching about that Docter, I found that he was already involved in 2 cases. For 3 months he had his license taken. So guys, Should I trust him.

[@tasyfan.314]

Thank you for this informative video! I also had some questions about reaching out to a doctor for shadowing if that is okay Is it preferred that the doctor has to be someone you know, or is it still acceptable for undergraduate students to contact doctors they really do not know? In one of the sample messages in the video for how to contact doctors, I noticed that while it was fine to reach out to a doctor they don't personally know, it still mentioned that an academic advisor had recommended the doctor. Is it fine to ask to shadow a doctor who you found by searching online for someone who works in a field you're interested in, or would it be preferred that the doctor you don't know was at least recommended by someone? Thank you!

[@Shemmassian]

You're welcome! So long as they don't share your last name, it'll be fine to shadow an acquaintance. Also, make sure to read this: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-ask-to-shadow-a-doctor

[@tasyfan.314]

@@Shemmassian Thank you!

[@jacobstarr9010]

I’ve heard that you should send the physician a quick email, but the problem is that the hospitals near me do not publicly give out their work emails. Is there any way around this? Any advice?

[@TheBibirules]

Did you ever figure out what to do?

[@jacobstarr9010]

@@TheBibirules unfortunately no

[@laundrydetergent8163]

Can shadowing count as volunteering?

[@fidafathima2518]

Which department is worth shadowing when you are 2nd year mbbs student?

[@wansingvincentchoi2967]

Hi I have a question. I know its always great to send a thank you note to the doctor you shadow. But do you send each time you visit? Like, If I shadow a doctor 20 hours split into 5 days in a month, do you send each time you visit, or just 1 note after all visits? Thank you

[@bruhhhebrooo5269]

I’m not premed but if you’re talking about one doctor in this case I’d assume you send them a thank you note after all the visits you have with them.

[@wansingvincentchoi2967]

@@bruhhhebrooo5269 That makes sense. Thank you

[@dr.stevephil6700]

Is highschool too early to shadow. Should I wait before shadowing in the current climate of covid 19? Thanks my dude

[@Shemmassian]

I don't think high school is too early to shadow if you're simply exploring the field for a potential career or if you're looking to apply to BS/MD programs. I would advise my child to steer clear of shadowing during the pandemic since they would certainly be considered "non-essential" in the health care setting and the risk is not worth the upside.

[@raybarrow2730]

During the pandemic, I, for the same reason, recommended that healthcare facilities close down shadowing programs and patients refuse requests to be observed. Unfortunately, some providers neither introduced shadows as such nor secured consent from patients to be observed both before and during the pandemic. When I complained to the OCR about this ethical breach (according to the AMA Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 3.1.2), I was informed in writing that shadowing programs are healthcare operations and as such it is not obligatory to introduce its participants to patients, inform patients that they are shadows, nor get patients' consent. Indeed, shadows are permitted, with the blessing of OCR's regional managers, to observe patients being prepped for surgery and in surgery without patients ever knowing of their presence. If a covered entity allowed my best friend to watch while I underwent surgery without my consent, this would be a HIPAA violation. In all likelihood the surgeon would not allow it anyway. However, the surgeon could bring in my best friend's children to watch the surgery without my knowledge or consent if they were part of a shadowing program. Dr. Shemmassian, Can you make sense of what I believe to be a government sanctioning of a nonsensical human rights violation? @@Shemmassian

[@doodlemorgan2]

Hello! I have two opportunities soon to shadow an OBGYN and an ophthalmologist. I’ve never shadowed before. My medical student friends have let me know to dress professionally but is there anything else I should anticipate? The OBGYN has confirmed I can shadow surgeries and get a pass for about two weeks. I can renew my pass any time as well. Regarding these two particular fields, is there anything I should be particularly noting or looking to observe?

[@Shemmassian]

Nothing in particular! Just takes notes about interesting observations, ask thoughtful questions, etc.

[@keeganpeterson6773]

Hi Dr. Shemmassian, Your videos have been so helpful! I just have a quick question. I'm a sophomore in college, and I will be shadowing a doctor next week for 2 days. He is a family friend of ours and it's likely that I'll be able to shadow him again next summer maybe for a longer period of time. Do you think it would be better for me to ask for a letter of recommendation after this week or should I wait until down the road when I have shadowed him more? Thank you!

[@Shemmassian]

Hey Keegan! I recommend waiting so he can write you a much stronger letter.

[@Zinky16]

I’m to scared to contact them😭😭😭😭

[@user-kl7of2db6e]

Did you do it? You won't know if it's for you until you take the leap!

[@dominionbeats]

I have an uncle who is a doctor, can I shadow him and include it in my application? Or would that be some type of conflict of interest as we are relatives?

[@Shemmassian]

Hello! You're welcome to shadow your uncle, but if you're planning to obtain a letter of recommendation, we'd recommend finding other physicians to shadow. Hope this helps!

[@dominionbeats]

@@Shemmassian Okay awesome, I’m planning on shadowing a few different doctors for LOR but I’m also looking for as much shadowing time as possible. Thank you so much!

[@Aaron.DeSouza]

Hey Dr. Shemmassian, Thank you so much for producing these videos, they are priceless. I have a few questions though, How should we record these shadowing hours? Do we need to get signatures to verify these hours exist? How old do you need to be to shadow a Doctor? If you are under 18, and you have a Doctor who is okay with you shadowing, Would that work? Thanks, Aaron

[@Shemmassian]

You're welcome, Aaron! Thanks for your kind words. How to record shadowing hours: Most students just keep track on a computer spreadsheet. On the med school application, you can pool all of your hours in a single entry on the Work and Activities section and list the physicians you shadowed in the description. You can begin shadowing in high school. so long as the physician invites you.