In a previous post, we reviewed everything you need to know about how to shadow a doctor. Now, it’s time to take things to the next level—we’re going to give you a sense of what a typical day is like for a student that’s out there shadowing!
Meet Emily, a first-year medical student in the US, who just passed her first set of medical school exams and has an interest in pediatrics. Through her school’s pediatric interest group, Emily has successfully arranged a day to shadow Dr. Smith, a pediatrician at a busy community health clinic affiliated with her school.
Emily’s goal is to observe how Dr. Smith interacts with her young patients, handles common medical issues, and manages the overall workflow of her day. Emily hopes this experience will help her decide whether pediatrics aligns with her passion for working with children.
Daily Schedule: Shadowing a Pediatrician
8 a.m.
Pre-Clinic Meeting with Dr. Smith
Dr. Smith reviews the day’s schedule with Emily, covering a mix of wellness check-ups, acute care visits, and follow-up appointments.
Dr. Smith discusses common issues to be aware of, such as vaccine administration and developmental milestones. Dr. Smith also mentions this is a lighter clinical day, and every day varies a little bit.
This is a positive as she’ll have more time to slow down and explain clinical findings to Emily.
8:30 a.m.
Wellness Check-Up (Patient #1: 3-Month-Old)
Emily observes Dr. Smith’s exam for a 3-month-old baby. She notes how Dr. Smith checks developmental progress, discusses feeding, and answers the parents’ questions about sleep routines and baby care.
Emily sees firsthand the importance of parental guidance in pediatrics.
9 a.m.
Sick Visit (Patient #2: 4-Year-Old)
Emily watches Dr. Smith assess a 4-year-old child with a persistent cough and fever. Dr. Smith explains how to differentiate common cold symptoms from signs of more serious respiratory infections.
Emily notes the communication style Dr. Smith uses to reassure both the child and parents.
10 a.m.
Case Discussion and Q&A
Dr. Smith takes a brief break and invites Emily to ask questions about the cases observed so far. They discuss common pediatric conditions, parent education techniques, and the emotional aspects of working with young patients.
10:30 a.m.
Routine Vaccination Appointment (Patient #3: 12-Year-Old)
Emily observes a vaccination visit with a 12-year-old patient. Dr. Smith reviews the patient’s vaccination history, discusses the importance of immunization with the parent, and gives advice on potential side effects.
Emily sees how Dr. Smith engages the child, addressing their questions and calming their fears.
11 a.m.
Follow-Up Visit (Patient #4: Asthma Management)
Dr. Smith reviews asthma management with a teenage patient and their parent. Emily watches how Dr. Smith evaluates the patient’s asthma control and provides education on using inhalers and avoiding triggers.
Emily notes Dr. Smith’s approach to empowering the patient so they can manage their condition independently.
12 p.m.
Lunch & Debrief
Emily and Dr. Smith have a casual discussion over lunch. Dr. Smith shares insights about her path to pediatrics and answers Emily’s questions about medical school, the residency process, and lifestyle considerations for pediatricians.
1 p.m.
Wellness Check-Up (Patient #5: 6-Month-Old)
Emily observes a wellness check for a 6-month-old, including measuring growth and motor skill development.
Dr. Smith emphasizes milestones like rolling over and introduces Emily to common parental concerns about sleep and feeding at this age.
2 p.m.
Follow-Up on Chronic Condition (Patient #6: 10-Year-Old with ADHD)
Dr. Smith conducts a follow-up for a child with ADHD. Emily observes how Dr. Smith assesses treatment effectiveness, communicates with both the child and parent, and provides school-related resources.
This gives Emily a view into the behavioral health aspects of pediatrics.
3 p.m.
Post-Clinic Wrap-Up and Reflection
Dr. Smith wraps up her day and debriefs with Emily. They discuss highlights from the day, and Dr. Smith shares additional resources on pediatric care.
Emily reflects on the variety of cases and gains a clearer understanding of the demands and rewards of a career in pediatrics.
3:30 p.m.
End of Day
Emily thanks Dr. Smith and leaves with a list of topics to explore, such as developmental screening and asthma management. She takes notes on what she learned and reflects on how the experience has influenced her specialty choice.
Reflection and Takeaways for Emily
Through shadowing Dr. Smith, Emily gains a brief view of pediatric care, from wellness visits to managing chronic conditions. Emily notes the balance Dr. Smith maintains between patient care and education, and the supportive environment she creates for children and their families.
By the end of the day, Emily has a clearer understanding of what being an outpatient, generalist pediatrician entails. Shadowing made her confident that pediatrics is a path worth pursuing, and she leaves with newfound motivation and direction for her medical career journey.
For now, she plans to explore other pediatric specialties and will consider selecting pediatric electives in the upcoming years of school. She also plans to continue shadowing, for example on a monthly basis, and establish a strong working relationship with Dr. Smith. Thus, Emily will likely also benefit from a strong, personalized letter of recommendation to help her with upcoming residency applications.
And so, that’s Emily’s experience shadowing a pediatrician for a day! For even more (free!) content to help you through med school, check out these other posts on the Blueprint blog:
