SHADOWING WORKSHOP Presented by the Creighton Career Center

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

SHADOWING WORKSHOP Presented by: Lisa Brockhoff and Linda Dunn Creighton Career Center

Shadowing…What Does it Really Mean? Beyond just looking it up online…It 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 somethingboth positive and negative Will come away either more excited or less excited – never neutral

Why 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 out – You 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 -1 • At a minimum – 4 - different doctors – 3 - different visits to each doc – 2 - hours at each visit – 1 - 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 USA – Physicians all over the US who graduated from CU’s Medical School – Demonstration • CU Physician Experience Database (available to sophomores) • Networking • Shadowing Guidelines handout

Before you Shadow… • HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ) – Patient Confidentiality is PRIMARY! – Physicians will prefer those already HIPAA proficient • PMED 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 Etiquette • Have a good reason for your choice of doctor • Contact the appropriate person • Be flexible in scheduling • Dress professionally and wear comfortable shoes • Have at least 5 questions – Inquire about referrals for other physicians • Always write a Thank You note • Remember that shadowing is not a group project

While you are there • What is the scope of a shadowing visit? – To watch, listen and learn – Observing 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 dentists • Can 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 Creighton’s medical school, etc.

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