How to Observe a Doctor as a High School Student

Consult with your guidance counselor or advisor. Arrange a meeting or visit your counselor's office to inquire about any potential opportunities. Often, your school counselor will have valuable connections and resources that can introduce you to doctors who are willing to let students shadow them. If such opportunities exist, they will gladly provide you with the information.

• You might ask, "I'm considering a career in medicine and would love to explore the daily responsibilities of a doctor. Are there any doctors in the area who offer shadowing opportunities for high school students?"
• If you already know the medical field you want to pursue, try, "I'm interested in cardiology and would love to gain insights into this specialty. Do you know of any cardiologists in the area who accept students for shadowing?"

Reach out to family, friends, neighbors, or your personal physician. Your personal circle may include healthcare professionals. Connect with family members, friends, neighbors, and even your own doctor to explore shadowing opportunities.

• To expand your network, consider posting on social media to ask if anyone knows of doctors who might be open to having a student shadow them.
• For example, you could write, "I'm interested in shadowing a doctor to learn more about the medical field. If you know of any doctors willing to let a student shadow them, please reach out!"

Reach out to doctors in your local area. Visit the websites of hospitals and medical practices near you. Look for their staff directory to identify specific doctors to contact.

• Make a list of 5-10 doctors you might want to shadow. This may seem like a lot, but having several options increases your chances of getting a response.

Apply for a shadowing program. Some medical centers and hospitals offer programs specifically for students to shadow their doctors. These programs often require an application. To find out if a hospital has a shadowing program, check their website or call their customer service.

• Look for information on shadowing programs by searching for a volunteer or educational opportunities section on the hospital's website.

Contact doctors several weeks ahead of time. Doctors need to make adjustments in their schedules to allow someone to shadow them. To increase your chances of being accepted, it's best to reach out well in advance (especially if you aim to shadow during spring break or summer).

• If you're applying for a formal shadowing program, be aware that the application process may take several weeks or even months. Apply early to secure your desired shadowing time.

Send a polite and detailed email to the doctor. Be sure to include important details such as your name, age, and the time frame during which you'd like to shadow. Then, explain why you're specifically interested in shadowing that doctor. It can be helpful to email 5-10 doctors to increase your chances of receiving a response.

• Sample email:
  "Dear Dr. Molina,
  I hope you are doing well! My name is Kelsey Smith, and I am reaching out because I have a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine. I am currently a junior at Washington High School and 16 years old. I would love to learn more about the medical field, specifically dermatology.
  To gain further experience, I was wondering if I could shadow you during your practice over the summer? If so, I would be happy to discuss the scheduling by email or phone.
  Thank you for your time and consideration,
  Kelsey Smith"

Call the doctor if you haven’t received a response after a few days. Doctors are often extremely busy with their responsibilities. If you haven’t received a response to your email after a few days, it’s possible it was overlooked. Try calling the doctor’s office (or the number provided by your counselor or network) to follow up and inquire about shadowing. When calling, make sure to include your name, your request, and your contact information, and thank them for their time.

• Sample follow-up call:
  "Hi Dr. Curtis, my name is Susan Reyes. I’m following up on an email I sent about the possibility of shadowing you in your practice. I am a high school senior, 18 years old, and am very interested in pediatrics. I would be grateful for the opportunity to shadow a pediatrician like yourself. Please feel free to contact me via phone or email. Thank you for your time!"

Reach out to alternate options. If you still don’t receive a response after calling, try researching additional doctors and contacting them instead. While persistence is key, there will certainly be a doctor who would be happy to let you shadow them!

Dress in comfortable yet professional attire. To make a good impression, wear professional clothing like dress pants, a dress shirt or blouse, or a dress. Comfortable, closed-toed shoes are also important.

• If you’ll be shadowing during a surgery, you may be asked to wear scrubs. If you're unsure, be sure to check with the doctor ahead of time to confirm if they will provide scrubs for you.

Arrive on time. Show respect for the doctor you're shadowing by being punctual for each session. Plan ahead to make your commute as smooth as possible by checking directions and parking options in advance. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get there without feeling rushed.

• If you're relying on public transportation, take time to review the bus or train route beforehand. Don't forget to factor in how long it takes to walk from the station to the hospital.

Bring a pen and a notebook to take notes. Throughout your shadowing experience, make sure to jot down key details and questions. Keeping a notebook will give you a valuable record of your time, which you can refer back to whenever needed.

• Your notes may also be useful when filling out your college applications, helping you recall important experiences.

Ask questions when appropriate. This is a great way to gain as much knowledge as possible from your shadowing experience. Whenever you and the doctor are not with patients, use this time to ask insightful questions about the field. Be mindful not to interrupt when the doctor is with patients, as they need to focus on their care. Some questions to ask might include:

• What made you choose this specialty?
• What do you find most fulfilling about being a doctor?
• Do you have any advice for choosing a college or medical school?

Track your hours. If you're using your shadowing hours for an internship, volunteer program, or college application, it's important to keep an accurate log of the time spent. Record the duration of each session to ensure your hours are properly documented.

Send a thank you note. After your shadowing experience, express your gratitude by sending the doctor a thank you note. To make it more personal, mention what you learned and how you plan to use the experience in the future.

• Sample thank you note:
• "Dear Dr. Brown,
  Thank you for allowing me to shadow you during the winter break. It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much from the opportunity. I truly appreciate your time and guidance.
  Best regards,
  Matthew Stephens"

Request a reference. The doctor you shadowed can serve as a valuable reference for college applications or other opportunities in the medical field. If you’d like to ask for a reference, reach out to them soon after your shadowing experience to ensure they remember your time together. This will help secure a detailed and accurate reference or letter of recommendation.

• When requesting a reference, be sure to express your gratitude for their time and support.
• You could say, "Thank you for allowing me to shadow you this past summer. It was a fantastic learning experience, and I’m truly grateful. I was wondering if I could list you as a reference for future opportunities in the medical field? Thank you again and I hope you’re doing well!"

• Consider volunteering at a hospital or finding an internship to deepen your understanding of the medical field during high school.
• If you're struggling to find in-person shadowing opportunities, inquire about virtual options. Some doctors offer students the chance to view recordings of their patient interactions, while others may host online sessions to teach about their practice.
• Doctors may have limited availability for shadowing. If you receive a response, increase your chances of shadowing by being flexible with your schedule and accommodating theirs.