How to Shadow Healthcare Providers

When deciding whether the healthcare field is right for you, it is extremely important that you get direct exposure to various medical specialties. In almost every interview that I have conducted with medical professionals, their number one piece of advice for students is to gain shadowing experience. But how can you actually secure these opportunities?

Here is a practical guide on how to find shadowing opportunities and make a lasting impression on healthcare providers.  

1. My Shadowing Experiences

I first shadowed a healthcare provider during the summer after my sophomore year in high school. In my experience, I was fortunate enough to have been in contact with an orthopedic surgeon through one of my friends. After reaching out to him via email and introducing myself, I was invited to observe him directly in the Operating Room (OR).

This experience gave me invaluable insights into not just orthopedic surgery but also healthcare as a whole. In the OR, I was able to witness the collaborative work of multiple healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, residents, and CRNAs. Seeing these providers in action gave me a better understanding of how an OR works and what potential careers I might be interested in. I also learned about the various procedures done during surgery to treat patients and to care for their safety. The surgeon walked me through each of the steps of his procedure as he used a scope to treat an ACL tear. It was an amazing experience and gave me the knowledge I needed to better understand my interest in the field.

Not only did this experience give me valuable insights into the field of orthopedic medicine, but it also allowed me to grow professionally. I had to learn strict OR sterilization protocols, stay out of the surgical team’s way, and articulate smart questions during downtime. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet a variety of healthcare providers and ask questions about their professions. This gave me the opportunity to grow in my networking skills and gain curiosity about a variety of other medical fields. 

2. My Advice for Gaining Shadowing Experiences

When looking for opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals, one of the best places to start is with friends and family. If you have family members or close friends who have connections to healthcare providers, that can be a very easy way to get connected to medical professionals. 

If you do not have friends or family with connections to the medical world, another easy way to find shadowing opportunities is to connect with your primary care doctor. Oftentimes, you can shadow your primary care doctor or they may even connect you with professionals from other specialties. In fact, I connected with my dentist to ask questions about shadowing and the healthcare world. 

Finally, you can network with healthcare professionals through things like school career fairs or via online platforms like LinkedIn. You can also go on the websites of local healthcare practices and find the phone numbers for their offices or the emails of the healthcare providers there. Sending a kind email or having a respectful conversation over the phone with people at these practices can be a great way to form connections that could enable you to get an opportunity to shadow. 

3. Challenges With Age Restrictions

Many hospitals and clinics enforce strict age limits (often 16 or 18+) due to liability and patient privacy reasons related to shadowing. If you run into these roadblocks, there are a few alternative ways that you can gain insights into the healthcare field. 

One of the best ways to seek out experience in the medical field is to look into opportunities to get involved in healthcare education programs. Attending local medical camps or healthcare classes can give you direct insight into a variety of medical fields. In these programs, you might even have the opportunity to meet healthcare providers or students who can get you connected to other opportunities to get experience. 

Another way that you can gain insight into healthcare is by speaking with medical professionals, whether that is in-person or over the phone. Asking meaningful questions about their career journeys, education, and day-to-day work tasks can give you a better understanding of what careers peak your interest. 

The final way that you can get exposure to the healthcare field is by taking classes related to medicine or STEM. For example, I took a course called Exploring Health Careers during my freshman year of high school. This class allowed me to get a better idea of some basic healthcare careers, procedures, and terminology. If you are looking for even more enrichment in the medical field, you can also try enrolling in classes at colleges in your area. 

4. Final Thoughts and Shadowing Etiquette

If you have an interest in the medical field, shadowing can be one of the most beneficial and educational experiences. However, it is also important to remember that shadowing is a privilege, not a right. Providers take time out of their chaotic schedules to teach you, so acting in a professional manner is essential. 

Always arrive early, dress in clean scrubs or professional business-casual attire, and follow patient privacy laws (HIPAA). Respect the provider by never interrupting them when they are interacting with a patient and bring a notebook to write down observations and questions you may have.

After your shadowing experience, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note. Expressing gratitude not only leaves a lasting impression but also keeps the door open for future mentorship and reference letters.