How to Ask to Shadow a Doctor (Complete Guide + Sample Email)

Overview of the Shadowing Process

Shadowing a doctor provides a behind-the-scenes look at the medical profession. This experience can offer valuable insight into patient care, the healthcare environment, and the demands of the profession. 

By shadowing doctors in different specialties, such as pediatrics or surgery, you get the opportunity to explore various specialties within medicine. Ultimately, shadowing can help you make more informed decisions about your future career and educational goals.

When to Start Shadowing 

There isn’t a “right time” to start shadowing a doctor; the earlier the better! If you are about to graduate from high school and begin your undergrad, and you can shadow a doctor, it may give you the confidence you need to confirm your major. 

If you’re early on in college, shadowing can allow you to see and adjust your focus if you need to change course or provide encouragement for the track you’re already on. 

Know that shadowing is primarily up to the availability of the doctor and the practice. If you start thinking about it early on, you’ll have more opportunities to strengthen your medical school application.

Benefits

One of the biggest benefits of shadowing is the opportunity to observe patient interactions. By watching a doctor interact with patients, you can learn about bedside manner, communication skills, and the importance of building trust with patients. These skills are crucial for any healthcare professional, and shadowing can help you develop them.

Shadowing can also help you build a network of contacts within the medical field. By meeting doctors and other healthcare professionals, you can gain valuable advice and guidance about your future career path. These connections can also help you secure internships, research positions, a letter of recommendation, or even job opportunities down the line.

Overall, shadowing a doctor can be a valuable experience for anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. It provides unique insight into different specialties available, allows you to learn from experienced professionals, and gives you hands-on experience in the field. 

If you’re interested in shadowing a doctor, don’t be afraid to reach out to potential mentors and start exploring your options.

How Long Shadowing Lasts

The length of a shadowing experience can vary, but generally ranges from a few hours to several weeks. Some shadowing experiences are one-time events, while others are designed to extend over a longer period of time. 

You should be prepared to discuss the length of your shadowing experience with admissions committees in the medical school application. 

To be competitive in the application process, you want to have a minimum of 30 shadowing hours and don’t need to exceed 100 hours. If you’re enjoying shadowing and being involved in the practice after the 100-hour mark, it would be more beneficial for you and your application if you began research or clinical experience. 

It’s important to remember that shadowing is also a time commitment for the doctor. They’re taking time out of their busy schedules to allow you to observe their work, so it’s essential to be respectful of their time. Make sure to arrive on time and be prepared to stay for the full duration of the shadowing experience.

Virtual vs. In-Person

While in-person shadowing gives students a more hands-on experience integrated with a particular practice or specialty, virtual shadowing offers medical students a remote opportunity to shadow doctors via telehealth platforms and gain insight in a more user-friendly way. 

There are pros and cons to each of these shadowing opportunities:

In-Person Shadowing Pros:

• Immersive experience: Observe patient interactions, physical exams, and medical procedures firsthand.
• Hands-on opportunities: Assist with basic tasks, take vital signs, and possibly participate in minor procedures.
• Networking: Build relationships with healthcare professionals and gain potential mentorship opportunities.
• Tactile and observational skills: Develop essential clinical skills through direct observation and interaction.

In-Person Shadowing Cons:

• Limited availability: Opportunities can be difficult to find, especially in certain locations or specialties.
• Time commitment: Scheduling can be challenging due to the need for consistent, often lengthy time blocks.
• Potential exposure to illness: Clinical settings carry some risk of exposure to infectious diseases.

Virtual Shadowing Pros:

• Flexibility and accessibility: Can be done from anywhere with internet access, fits more easily into busy schedules, and may be better for non-traditional students.
• Exposure to diverse specialties: Offers access to a wide range of medical fields that may not be available locally.
• Reduced health risks: No exposure to illnesses from clinical environments.
• Cost-effective: No travel or lodging expenses.

Virtual Shadowing Cons:

• Lack of hands-on experience: No direct patient contact or procedural involvement.
• Limited interaction: May offer fewer opportunities to engage with healthcare professionals.
• Passive learning: Some programs may be less interactive or engaging than in-person experiences.
• Not a complete substitute: Best used as a supplement rather than a complete replacement for in-person shadowing.

Combining In-Person and Virtual Shadowing:

• Gain breadth and depth: Use virtual shadowing to explore a variety of specialties, and in-person shadowing for deeper, hands-on exposure in areas of particular interest.
• Maximize learning: Virtual experiences can prepare students for in-person shadowing by helping them learn medical terminology, procedures, and case examples.
• Build connections: Virtual platforms may provide networking opportunities that lead to in-person shadowing or mentorship.

The most effective shadowing experience often combines both in-person and virtual formats. However, your approach should align with your individual goals, availability, and learning preferences.

Finding the Right Doctor to Shadow

Now that you understand the shadowing process, it’s time to start thinking about finding the right doctor to shadow. 

Shadowing a doctor is a great way to gain insight into the medical profession, and it can help you determine whether this career is right for you. That said, finding the right doctor to shadow can be a challenge. 

Let’s walk through the process of identifying your interests and goals, researching potential doctors and specialties, and utilizing your network to make connections.

Identify Your Goals and Interests 

Before reaching out to doctors, it’s important to have a clear idea of your interests and goals in medicine. 

Are you interested in primary care, emergency medicine, or dermatology? What aspects of medicine do you find most interesting? By identifying your interests and goals, you can narrow down your search for a doctor to shadow who can provide the experience you’re looking for.

For example, if you’re interested in cardiology, you may want to shadow a cardiologist specializing in interventional cardiology. This will allow you to observe procedures such as angioplasty and stenting. 

If you’re interested in pediatrics, you may want to shadow a pediatrician who works in a local hospital setting, so you can observe how they care for sick children.

Research Potential Doctors and Specialties

Once you have a good sense of your interests and goals, it’s time to start researching potential doctors and specialties. You can start by looking at hospital websites and provider directories or asking for recommendations from professors, advisors, or healthcare professionals you know. 

Look for doctors who are connected to your areas of interest and who have experience working with students or trainees.

It’s also important to consider the location of the doctor’s practice. If you’re a student, you may want to look for doctors who are located near your school or home. This will make it easier for you to schedule shadowing sessions around your classes or other commitments.

When researching potential doctors, be sure to read their bios and any articles or publications they’ve written. This will give you a sense of their expertise and interests and may help you craft a more effective email or introduction when you contact them.

Utilize Your Network 

Don’t forget to tap into your personal and professional network as you search for a doctor to shadow. Reach out to family, friends, or colleagues who may have connections in healthcare. They may be able to introduce you to doctors or provide recommendations for physicians who may be open to shadowing opportunities.

You can also reach out to alumni from your school who are currently working in healthcare. They may be able to provide advice on how to approach doctors for shadowing opportunities, or they may be able to introduce you to doctors in their network.

Finally, don’t be afraid to cold-email doctors whom you think would be a good fit for your interests and goals. Be sure to introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in shadowing them. 

Craft Your Professional Request (Email)

Once you’ve identified a potential doctor to shadow, it’s time to prepare your request. The following subheadings will guide you through crafting a professional email, highlighting your background and motivation, and attaching your resume or CV.

It’s important to remember that doctors are busy professionals, so make sure to respect their time. Avoid sending too many follow-up emails or bombarding them with too much information at once. Instead, be patient and wait for their response before moving forward.

Highlight Your Background and Motivation 

When reaching out to a doctor, highlight your background and motivation. Explain why you’re interested in shadowing and what you hope to gain from the experience. Mention any relevant experience or coursework you’ve completed in healthcare or related fields.

For example, if you’re interested in becoming a pediatrician, you might highlight your experience volunteering at a children’s hospital or your coursework in child development. This can help the doctor understand your passion for the field.

To be clear, you do not need to have chosen a specialty by this point. You won’t select an actual specialty until your third or fourth year in med school; this shadowing experience is meant to help you explore specific interests and broaden your exposure to various medical specialties. For example, don’t feel you need to oversell your interest in dermatology just to land a shadowing opportunity with a dermatologist.

Attach Your Resume or CV

When reaching out to a doctor, consider attaching your resume or CV to give them a sense of your background and experience. This should feature any relevant healthcare or research experience, coursework, extracurriculars, and skills you’ve developed. 

A resume and a personal statement can help the doctor understand what you offer as a shadowing candidate and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Additionally, make sure to proofread your resume or CV carefully before sending it. Typos or errors can make a negative impression and hurt your chances of being selected for a shadowing opportunity.

Sample Email

Below is a template of a sample email you can send to a physician as a shadowing request: