Shadowing Physicians

Introduction:

Like many medical schools across the country, the University of Washington School of Medicine wants to make sure that applicants are making an informed decision before they spend their time and money to apply to and attend medical school. One of the common pieces missing in applications is the experience of shadowing. In order to “test drive” future career options, applicants should shadow physicians in the United States whose practice most closely resembles the applicant’s potential career goals.

By observing physicians at work, applicants can see how physicians deliver bad news or deal with difficult patients. Applicants will also develop a more realistic understanding of what medicine can and can't do. Shadowing is an opportunity for prospective physicians to witness firsthand what they are getting into.

Application and Agreement for Shadowing and/or Observation (pdf)

Why Shadow?

• Find out what the career is all about
• Clarify and validate your initial impressions
• Understand the realities/limitations of medicine (i.e. Learn about "the dark side")
• Test your level of commitment
• Find out what you like and dislike
• Enhance your motivation
• Improve the articulation of your goals

Questions to ask yourself when Shadowing:

• Can I see myself doing what this doctor does on a daily basis?
• Can I see myself as a colleague of this doctor?
• What are the joys and frustrations of this career?
• What are the pros and cons of this particular type of medical practice?
  Consider: size of practice (solo or group), types of patients (age, sex, problems/diagnoses, insurance), size of community, salaried or self employed, paper charts or electronic medical records, hours and call schedule, family life, community service and/or influence, ability to practice in rural area or overseas
• Am I drawn to diagnostic problem solving?
• Am I drawn to procedures?
• Is the doctor involved in clinical research?
• Is the doctor involved in "bench" (lab) research?
• How does the doctor learn more about his/her patient's personal lives? How is it factored into the patient's care?
• How does the doctor relate to his/her patients?
  Consider: formal or friendly approach, standing up or sitting down, rushed or not rushed, listening or interrupting, speaking with words that the patient can understand or speaking medical jargon or speaking in patient's primary language if it isn't English
• What factors seem to play into how the patients respond to the doctor?
• How do I feel when there is no "cure" or treatment options?
• How do I feel about chronic problems compared with acute problems?
• How do I feel when I see patients who don't listen to advice or who don't take good care of their health?
• Did all patients with the same diagnosis seem the same? If not, how and why might they have been different from one another?
• Do I like situations in which a decision has to be made quickly?
• Do I like the pace of this type of practice?
• What did the doctor do when s/he didn't know the answer to something?

Ideas for finding Shadowing Opportunities:

• Ask your personal physician if you might be able to shadow him/her. If not, is there someone s/he could recommend?
• Network with friends and family to contact physicians they may know.
• Volunteer at a hospital or clinic and network with physicians there.
• Shadowing Resources listed on our website
• The WWAMI Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) work to attract young people into health careers. They want to help qualified students in their states be successful applicants to medical school. They can be helpful in identifying shadowing experiences for medical school applicants.

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