Shadowing
Shadowing A Doctor: The 10 Best Online Resources to Help You – One Pre-Med’s View
About Marissa
Marissa is a recent graduate of Clemson University where she received her B.S. in Health Sciences. During the summer of 2019, Marissa participated in the Atlantis shadowing program in Trento, Italy, and now works as an Alumni Representative with the company. She is currently applying to medical school where she hopes to become a primary care physician.
As a pre-med student, shadowing a doctor is probably one of your top priorities. This is understandable, as shadowing is a great way to learn what medical specialties interest you. Additionally, observing a clinical setting is a great way to see how a healthcare delivery system operates and how each healthcare professional plays a vital role inpatient care. Because of its value, many medical schools often require a certain amount of shadowing hours, so it is important to make time to shadow a physician.
The Best Websites to Help You Decide
Even though you want to shadow a physician, finding the right opportunity isn’t as easy as it seems. Luckily, listed below are some of the best resources to help you find the right doctor to shadow. Good luck!
- The AAMC – This fact sheet is a great resource for students who are still figuring out where to start. The AAMC answers important questions and provides additional information. Since the AAMC is responsible for many of the application requirements for interested MD students, I highly recommend starting with this resource.
- Shemmassian Consulting – If you are struggling to find a physician to shadow, I recommend looking at this page. This resource is super helpful because not only does it give you tips on how to find and make contact with a physician, but it also provides template emails that you can use to reach out.
- The MD Journey – If you are looking for the ultimate How To guide, then this is the resource for you. Not only does it provide additional contact templates, but it also gives you unique tips for how to stand out and take initiative during your shadowing experience.
- Choose DO – For students who are interested in shadowing a DO physician, this is a great place to start. And if you are planning to apply to DO medical schools, it is important to know that many schools strongly recommend or require at least one letter of recommendation to come from a DO physician. Finding a DO to shadow early so that you have time to build strong relationships may be crucial in standing out as an applicant.
- Prospective Doctor – This article provides a comprehensive overview of the value that comes from shadowing a doctor. Additionally, what makes this such a strong resource is the fact that it includes important reflection questions to think about during shadowing, as well as questions to ask the doctor. Using this guide is a great way to stand out while shadowing!
- Atlantis blog post – As a pre-med student, I always found it beneficial to learn from other students. This blog is a wonderful read to understand the proper shadowing etiquette. Once I started shadowing, this article really came in handy!
- US News – Right before you go in for your first day of shadowing, I encourage you to read up on this resource. This quick read highlights four very important mistakes to avoid while you shadow.
- Individual medical school websites – Each medical school has their own requirements or recommendations regarding shadowing. Some medical schools have a set amount of hours that they require each applicant to meet as part of their screening process. If you know which schools you are interested in applying to, I recommend looking on each website to make sure you are complying with their requirements. Additionally, they may have their own resources and information that could be helpful to you.
- Savvy Pre-Med – Due to COVID-19, it may be harder for you to find a physician to shadow. If you are interested in taking a more unique approach, there are a wide variety of virtual shadowing opportunities that exist. This resource does a really good job compiling the best virtual options available for you to decide which is right for you.
- Your adviser – Chances are, you have been assigned an adviser who has pre-medical experience. If so, I highly recommend emailing them and asking for information on how to shadow a doctor. They are probably more knowledgeable about the clinics and opportunities available around your university. If you do not have a pre-med advisor, I suggest going on your school’s website and finding the health professions advising staff or a pre-med club on campus that may have their own resources they can share with you.
Shadowing is a wonderful way to learn which fields of medicine are right for you. Additionally, building a relationship with a physician is a great way to earn a letter of recommendation for medical school. However, if you are concerned about the time constraints that could come with shadowing while being in school, there are other opportunities that can provide valuable shadowing experiences, such as Atlantis shadowing programs that occur over school breaks. Ultimately, what you choose to pursue should be something that you enjoy. Taking the time to find unique experiences is a great way to embody the qualities medical schools are looking for.
Our Alumni Enter Great Medical Schools
John Daines
- Atlantis '17
- Brigham Young University '19
- Washington U. in St. Louis MD '23
Zoey Petitt
- Atlantis '17
- U. of Arizona '18
- Duke MD '23
Zoey Petitt
Hungary ’17 || University of Arizona (undergraduate) ’18
Completed Atlantis Program Location and Date:
Hungary, Summer 2017
Do you believe your Atlantis experience helped you get into your graduate program?
I believe it was very helpful.
Generally, why do you think Atlantis helped you get into your graduate program?
For me, my Atlantis experience played a key role in confirming my decision to go into medicine. This was important for me to discuss during the admissions process.
Specifically, did you talk about Atlantis in your interviews?
Yes
Yong-hun Kim
- Atlantis '17
- Stanford '19
- Mayo Clinic MD '24
Yong-Hun Kim
Budapest, Hungary ’17 || Stanford University
Program:
Budapest, Hungary – Winter 2017
Undergraduate:
Stanford University class of 2019
Major:
Computer Science
Honors:
Bio-X Grant (award for research)
Undergraduate Activities:
President and Founder of Stanford Undergraduate Hospice and Palliative Care, Volunteer for Pacific Free Clinic, Research Assistant in Wernig Pathology Lab, President of Hong Kong Student Association, violin performance
Describe Atlantis in three words:
Eye-opening. Spontaneous. Exhilarating.
Why did you choose Atlantis?
I chose the Atlantis program because it combines opportunities to shadow physicians and travel abroad, both of which I had little prior exposure to.
What was your favorite experience as an Atlantis participant?
My favorite experience as an Atlantis participant came in the stories exchanged over meals or excursions and the breadth of conversation that reflected the diversity of backgrounds within our cohort and site managers.
What was the most meaningful aspect of your time shadowing?
I appreciated the chance to speak with physicians in Budapest and hear their personal motivations for pursuing medicine because it really helped better contextualize and validate my own interest in medicine. The physicians were also just really welcoming, relatable, and down-to-earth people.
How has Atlantis helped equip you for the future?
The Atlantis program has equipped me with a better understanding of what a career in medicine looks like, which I think is an invaluable gift considering the long road ahead of those who aspire to be a physician.
How has Atlantis equipped you for active leadership in the medical field?
The ability to interact and empathize with patients of diverse backgrounds and communities is a necessity to be a leader in the medical field. I think the Atlantis program, through my interactions with mentors and their patients, has helped me take my first steps toward attaining the cultural vocabulary and literacy required of a physician.
Megan Branson
- Atlantis '18
- U. of Montana '19
- U. of Washington MD '24
Sarah Emerick
- Atlantis '19
- Eckerd College '20
- Indiana U. MD '25
Snow Nwankwo
- Atlantis '19
- Catholic U. of America '21
- Georgetown U. MD '26
Tiffany Hu
- Atlantis '16
- U. of Maryland '17
- U. of Michigan MD '22
Tiffany Hu
Tereul, Spain ’16 || U Michigan Medical School
Program:
Teruel, Spain – Summer 2016
Undergraduate:
University of Maryland class of 2017
Admitted medical student at:
University of Michigan Medical School
Major:
Neurobiology
Honors:
Honors Integrated Life Sciences Program, Banneker/Key Scholarship
Extracurricular Activities:
American Medical Student Association Co-President & Advocacy Day Liaison, Alternative Breaks Experience Leader, Health Professions Advising Office Student Advisory Board, Biology Teach Assistant, Health Leads, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, NIH Research Intern, Physicians for Social Responsibility Environment & Health Intern
Describe Atlantis in Three Words:
Educational. Eye-opening. Exhilarating.
Why did you choose Atlantis?
I wanted to expand my horizons and understand a culture of health different from the ones I am accustomed to. I had shadowed doctors in the United States and Taiwan prior to my Atlantis program experience, and being able to see first-hand the healthcare system in Spain allowed me to draw comparisons between the different complex healthcare systems.
What was your favorite experience as an Atlantis participant?
Bonding with the other participants and celebrating our time together along with the doctors we shadowed. We would discuss our interests, passions, and motivation for medicine, and it was an incredible experience to learn from and alongside them.
What was your experience with the doctors you were shadowing?
Because of the pre-established relationships with the hospitals in which we shadowed, all the doctors were very welcoming and accommodating. They were willing to translate for us and explain in detail all of their medical decisions. My doctors and I had wonderful conversations about the differences between life in Spain vs. the United States.
What was the most meaningful aspect of your time shadowing?
I was excited to scrub in on surgeries and watch as the doctor explained what he was doing throughout the operation. Before and after surgeries, as well as in my other rotations, I observed how the doctors reassured and communicated with their patients. I was able to glean insight into differences between the experience of health in Spain versus the United States through observation as well as conversations with the doctors.
How has Atlantis helped equip you for the future?
Besides the wealth of medical knowledge I gained from shadowing the doctors, I challenged myself to step outside of my cultural comfort zone and explore more than I thought I was capable of. Atlantis allowed me to make connections with people from all around the United States and abroad, and the friendships I gained helped me learn so much more than I would have on my own.
Lauren Cox
- Atlantis '18
- Louisiana Tech '20
- U. of Arkansas MD '24
Lauren Cox
Libson, Portugal ’18 || Louisiana Tech
Completed Atlantis Program Location(s):
Lisbon, Portugal
Year of most recent program:
Fall ’17 – Summer ’18
Season of most recent program:
Summer
Do you believe your Atlantis experience helped you get into your graduate program?
Extremely helpful
Generally, why do you think Atlantis helped you get into your graduate program?
It exposed me to shadowing that was hard to come by in the states. It also gave me a chance to see other systems of healthcare.
Specifically, did you talk about Atlantis in your interviews? If so, how much relative to other topics?
Yes – they wanted to know about my experience, and specifically how the healthcare I saw in another country compared to what I had seen in the USA.
Kayla Riegler
- Atlantis '18
- U. of Kentucky '20
- U. of Kentucky MD '24
About Atlantis
Atlantis is the leader in pre-health shadowing and clinical experience, offering short-term programs (1-10 weeks) over academic breaks for U.S. pre-health undergraduates. Medical schools want 3 things: (1)healthcare exposure, (2)GPA/MCAT, and (3)certain competencies. Atlantis gives you a great version of (1), frees you to focus on (2), and cultivates/shows (3) to medical school admissions committees.
Watch Video: The Atlantis Shadowing Experience and How it Helps In Your Med/PA Admissions Future
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