What Is Shadowing a Physician?

“Shadowing” is a term to describe the process of following someone around in an effort to gain first-hand knowledge of that person. Shadowing a physician is no different; it refers to a period of time in which a pre-medical student spends time watching a physician’s daily activities in an effort to learn more about the life of a doctor. Physician shadowing programs are also referred to as student externships, physician observerships, physician mentor programs, medical internships, and other similar phrases that describe the process.

Reasons to Shadow a Physician

There are several reasons to shadow a physician. Shadowing opportunities provide aspiring medical students with unique insights in the life of a physician. Furthermore, most medical schools encourage pre-meds to have at least one shadowing experience prior to matriculation.

Shadowing a Physician is Generally Expected

Medical schools expect applicants to possess experience shadowing a physician. In recent years, shadowing a physician has become an unwritten requirement for medical school admissions. As a result, many students choose to shadow a physician that they have known for years, such as a family physician or a family member. Those who do not have experience shadowing a physician will not be considered as competitive.

Learn About “Real World” Medicine

Shadowing a physician gives you a first hand look at the day-to-day life of a physician. Some physicians have their own offices while some may spend the majority of his/her time in an operating room or hospital.

Recommendation Letters

A personal relationship with a physician provides an easier method of requesting letters of recommendation from current M.D.’s. If the physician you have shadowed is willing to write a letter of recommendation for you, he or she is much more capable of providing medical school admissions committees with a personalized and professional depiction of you. Furthermore, if possible, you should seek to shadow a physician that graduated from one of the medical schools to which you are applying.

Clinical Experience

Adequate experience in a clinical setting is a part of to preparing for your future years in medical school. If you apply to medical school but your application shows little or no direct exposure to the practice of medicine, you will not be as competitive as other applicants who have spent large amounts of time in a clinical environment. Students should try to obtain experience in a medical environment in order to make an informed decision to pursue a career in medicine and to make an informed decision about which field of medicine to pursue.

The Personal Statement

Almost all aspiring medical students struggle when writing their personal statement for medical school applications. Shadowing a physician provides students that may not have otherwise been exposed to medicine with content unique to their own perceptions. More often than not, especially for students who have mediocre MCAT scores or GPA’s below 3.5, the personal statement may be the deciding factor for some medical school admissions committees.

Where to Find Physician Shadowing Opportunities

We currently only have locations for shadowing a physician in the United States, however, we are looking to soon expand to other countries as well. However, for those located in the U.S., whether you are in New York or California, you can find a listing of physician shadowing opportunities in your area. See our physician shadowing opportunities page located Here for more information.