Skip to main content

Follow a Blueprint to a Successful Physician Shadowing Experience

By U.S. News & World Report

If you are considering a career in medicine but are uncertain about the day-to-day work life of a physician, consider a shadowing opportunity. Shadowing a clinician can help you make a decision about whether or not you want to even enter a premed curriculum. You’ll also have a chance to learn about the unique environments of care in a hospital, including professionalism and culture.

When to Start Shadowing

If you’re a high school student, you can find opportunities in local outpatient clinics and hospitals. I often suggest that students begin by asking their own physician to either allow the student to shadow them or recommend a colleague for them to shadow.

Another option is to check clinic and hospital websites for volunteer opportunities, which may include opportunities for shadowing. Consider volunteering in the emergency department, if that’s an option, as you will be exposed to a variety of physicians, patients and conditions.

Don’t let your shadowing experiences end after high school. Your applications to medical school will be much richer if you engage in shadowing experiences during your undergraduate years. These experiences are evidence that you have maintained your interest in medicine and that you are aware of the workload.

Some universities offer shadowing courses that you can sign up for. Although some admissions committees wouldn’t disregard your experience if you enrolled in a shadowing course, you can demonstrate initiative by pursuing your own shadowing experiences.

[Get tips on choosing the right undergraduate major for medical school.]

Consider a Research Program

Many hospitals sponsor student research programs with opportunities for shadowing. At my hospital, between 80 and 100 high school students participate in this kind of the program every summer. Quite a few hospitals offer these pipeline programs, with the hope that these future nurses, doctors and other health care providers will want to work at their institution.

I’m often asked to present to our students about how to get into medical school, and I’m confident other hospitals offer similar presentations that will help you determine the right career path.

Questions to Ask

Even if initially you are engaged in a non-clinical experience such as research, you are sure to meet many clinicians. Don’t hesitate to ask them if you can shadow them for a few hours or a day. Try to be exposed to different kinds of physicians and ask them questions about what they like regarding their careers.

It is also fair to ask them what they don’t like and whether they would make the same decision again. You can ask them about the future of their specialty and what they might recommend for someone considering that field.

Ask how they balance their work with home life about what a typical day for them is like. Ask what kind of a person is successful in this career. Ask who they might recommend you contact for additional career advice.

The more you get a feel for the work and the physician’s lifestyle, the better the decision you will make for your own career.

How Much Shadowing is Enough?

There is no magic number of hours for a shadowing experience, though a ballpark average of about 50 hours should give you a solid idea of the day-to-day work life of a physician.

How to Choose a Physician to Shadow

Most admission committee members would prefer that you not shadow exclusively with a subspecialist. By shadowing with more than one kind of physician, you are demonstrating that you are open to learning about other medical subspecialties.

And don’t discount shadowing with a primary care physician. Working with a PCP allows you to see a variety of diseases and also enables you to get to know the patients. What’s more, you will likely meet a patient or two who particularly impress you during one of your shadowing experiences. These special patients may become part of your primary application essay, so be sure to remember them.

[Learn how to find the right physician shadowing experience.]

Most students have remarkable shadowing experiences and are grateful for the opportunities — they truly help them decide whether or not to go into medicine. Similarly, admissions committees consider these experiences as evidence that the students have some appreciation for what lies ahead.

A Word About HIPAA

During every clinical encounter, including physician shadowing you need to keep Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations in mind. HIPAA is designed to protect patient confidentiality.

As part of your medical school orientation, you will be trained in HIPAA compliance. You will be expected to follow HIPAA regulations at all times.

For example, you cannot share protected patient information with others outside the care team; this includes your family and closest friends. You cannot post comments about specific patients on Facebook or Twitter. You cannot take photos of patients, nor should you meet them outside of the clinical setting.

HIPAA compliance is part of professionalism, which is a highly valued quality in the medical system. You will want to hold yourself to those standards.

Many students have remarkable shadowing experiences and are grateful for the opportunities — they truly help them decide whether or not to go into medicine. Similarly, admissions committees consider these experiences as evidence that the students have some appreciation for what lies ahead.

More from U.S. News

Learn About the World of Pediatric Medicine

Glimpse at a Career as a Physician Consultant

Consider Pursuing a Medical Career as a Geriatric Specialist

Follow a Blueprint to a Successful Physician Shadowing Experience originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote