SHADOWING WORKSHOP

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

SHADOWING WORKSHOP Presented by the Creighton Career Center and the PMED Seminar Program 1SHADOWING WORKSHOPPresented by:

Lisa Brockhoff and Linda DunnCreighton Career Center

2ShadowingWhat Does it Really Mean? Beyond just looking it up onlineIt is actually watching someone do a job for a few hours, days or whatever time is necessary.

It is the only way to really find out what you may like or not like about a specific profession or clinical specialty!

You will ALWAYS learn something- both positive and negative

Will come away either more excited or less excited never neutral 3Why do I need to shadow?But I already KNOW what doctors do Your experience as a patient (or TV fan) does NOT give you a real picture of what it takes day in and day outYou need to be sure Medical Schools want to KNOW that you have truly explored being a doc!The focus should be to have exposure to many different practices and specialties

What is an ideal shadowing experience?How many times do I need to shadow?

How many hours of shadowing do I need?

How many different doctors do I need to shadow?

The Rule of 4-3-2-1At a minimum4 - different doctors3 - different visits to each doc2 - hours at each visit1 - no more than one doc you already know The best shadowing experiences will occur over several years Not a checklist Learning process

What are the logistics of shadowing? Find a physician to shadow

Use of Reference USAPhysicians all over the US who graduated from CUs Medical SchoolDemonstration

CU Physician Experience Database (available to sophomores)

Networking

Shadowing Guidelines handoutBefore you ShadowHIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act )Patient Confidentiality is PRIMARY! Physicians will prefer those already HIPAA proficientPMED students received certification, so refer to this.

RESUME If you have one, use it.PMED 201 students will attend Resume Development workshop in the Fall

Shadowing EtiquetteHave a good reason for your choice of doctorContact the appropriate personBe flexible in scheduling Dress professionally and wear comfortable shoesHave at least 5 questionsInquire about referrals for other physiciansAlways write a Thank You noteRemember that shadowing is not a not a group project

While you are thereWhat is the scope of a shadowing visit?To watch, listen and learnObserving only BE SENSITIVE to patients Be on time Be polite, sensitive and considerate of office staff, nurses and other docs Remember that you are there to learn, not teach!

A database of more than 850,000 US doctors and dentistsCan select by geography, medical specialty, size of practice, medical school attended, etc. Examples: CU medical school alums in Des Moines; Nebraska med school alums in Denver; Pediatricians practicing in Omaha from Creightons medical school, etc., etc.

Other Suggestions for Getting Clinical Experience: Start shadowing with your own physician and their colleaguesVolunteer at local hospital and long-term care facilitiesGet trained to be a Certified , Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Tech, Phlebotomist, etc. Information about local CNA, EMT and Phlebotomy programs available through Career CenterSummer months good time to do this. Could then get paid for clinical experience