If you’ve wondered how to shadow a doctor, you’re not alone. For all you learn in medical school, nobody gives you a set of instructions on how to do it!
Shadowing a physician is an invaluable experience, since it allows you to see firsthand what a physician does on a day-to-day basis, the complexities and demands of different healthcare professions, and which specialty could be right for you.
To alleviate any uncertainty you may have about how to shadow a doctor, this guide covers everything you need to know about shadowing, including how it differs from rotating, how to make a request via email, and how to politely follow it up.
Before diving into all of that, though, we’ll start with the basics, and explain a bit about what shadowing entails.
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What is shadowing?
In medicine, shadowing is when you observe a professional at work without actively participating in patient care. As a “shadow,” you’ll likely follow a doctor through their daily routine, watching how they interact with patients, colleagues, and healthcare staff.
Depending on the physician’s specialty, you might witness patient consultations, diagnostic procedures, or even surgeries.
🩺 Check out this post for a full day in the life of shadowing a physician, featuring a student’s experience in a pediatrician’s office for the day!
How is shadowing different from rotating?
Rotating is typically part of a formal medical training program once the candidate is already enrolled in graduate school (i.e., medical, nursing, or PA school). During clinical rotations, students have designated responsibilities, and their performance is evaluated.
Rotations involve direct patient care, whereas if you’re wondering how to shadow a doctor, that’s typically observational and usually doesn’t carry any academic credit or formal assessment. While rotations are mandatory for medical students, shadowing is a voluntary activity for anyone interested in gaining experience in the field.
Let’s clarify with an example.
Shadowing Medical Student vs. Clinical Rotation Student
Consider an internal medicine clinic where two students, Alex and Taylor, are observing and working with Dr. Patel, an internist.
Student 1: Alex, a Shadowing Medical Student
Background:
Alex is a newly minted medical student who’s interested in internal medicine and plans to shadow an internist. He arranged a shadowing opportunity with Dr. Patel. Since Alex is only shadowing, he’s not permitted to independently perform medical tasks.
Day in the Clinic:
Observing Patient Consultations:
Alex follows Dr. Patel throughout the day, watching diligently during patient exams and consultations. Alex observes Dr. Patel’s clinical reasoning and listens to how the doctor explains diagnoses and treatment plans to patients.
Note-Taking and Reflection:
During breaks, Alex jots down observations on how Dr. Patel discusses complex diagnoses in simple terms.
Asking Questions During Downtime:
Between appointments, Alex asks Dr. Patel questions about internal medicine and the specific cases observed. Alex is curious about Dr. Patel’s approach to chronic illness management and asks about common conditions in internal medicine and for advice on further delving into the field.
Limitations:
A couple of points here about how to shadow a doctor. Alex does not perform physical exams, interview patients independently, or document anything in the medical record, as shadowing is strictly observational. Alex’s role is to absorb as much information as possible by observing and listening. This provides Alex a brief view into the field of internal medicine and helps him gauge his interest in the field. Eventually, if he plans to delve further into IM, he can take core and elective rotations in internal medicine to have a more holistic view of the field and have direct patient interaction.
Student 2: Taylor, a Clinical Rotation Student in the Same Clinic
Background:
Taylor is a third-year medical student currently in a clinical rotation in internal medicine. This is a part of Taylor’s formal medical education, and they’re responsible for patient care under Dr. Patel’s supervision.
Day in the Clinic:
Conducting Patient Interviews:
Taylor starts the day by being assigned a few patients to see independently. Taylor interviews a new patient presenting with fatigue, documenting the patient’s symptoms, history, and any relevant details.
Performing a Physical Exam:
After the interview, Taylor performs a basic physical examination on the patient, noting vital signs, respiratory sounds, and any other relevant findings. Taylor then presents the findings to Dr. Patel before they both return to the patient’s room.
Writing Notes and Making Assessments:
Taylor documents the encounter in the patient’s electronic medical record as a student note, making an initial assessment and suggesting potential diagnoses and next steps. Dr. Patel reviews and discusses Taylor’s note, providing feedback on Taylor’s clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis.
Participating in Clinical Decision-Making:
During rounds, Taylor contributes to the team’s discussion, offering insights based on their patient interactions. Dr. Patel invites Taylor to suggest a treatment plan, and they discuss the reasoning behind specific medical interventions and medication choices.
Responsibilities:
Taylor is actively engaged in patient care and is expected to develop clinical skills, document patient encounters, and begin formulating assessments. Taylor is also evaluated on clinical knowledge, patient interaction skills, and documentation quality as part of the rotation assessment.
Key Differences Between Shadowing vs Rotating
| Example | Shadowing Medical Student | Clinical Rotation Student |
| Role | Alex was an observer and had no solo interactions with patients. | Taylor was an active participant in patient care under supervision. |
| Patient Interaction | Alex watched the physician conduct interviews and exams. | Taylor conducted patient interviews and performed physical exams independently. |
| Documentation | Alex didn’t document or write notes in the medical record. | Taylor wrote patient notes and was responsible for recording encounters as a student. |
| Clinical Decision-Making | Alex observed but didn’t contribute to the diagnostic or treatment process. | Taylor was expected to make initial assessments and suggest treatment plans for review. |
| Educational Objective | Alex gained exposure and insight into the specialty. The learning was observational. | Taylor developed practical clinical skills. The learning was both hands-on and academic. |
| Feedback | Alex received general feedback and advice from the physician when time allowed. | Taylor received structured feedback on clinical skills, knowledge, and patient interactions. |
| Evaluation | Alex wasn’t formally evaluated. Shadowing is typically voluntary and ungraded. | Taylor was formally evaluated as part of medical training and graded on performance. |
In this scenario, Alex’s experience is primarily about observing the flow of the clinic, seeing how Dr. Patel interacts with patients, and learning about internal medicine by watching.
On the other hand, Taylor’s rotation is a core part of their training, involving hands-on patient care, documentation, and real-time feedback. Shadowing offers Alex an introductory look at the specialty, while the clinical rotation provides Taylor with a more immersive, practical experience critical to building clinical competencies.
Lastly, remember that Taylor is in his internal medicine rotation and must attend to his responsibilities for the duration of the clerkship (typically 6-12 weeks). Alex, as an example of how to shadow a doctor, has no such commitment and can leave after concluding just one volunteer shadowing session.
What are some tips on how to shadow a doctor?
Now that you know the difference between shadowing and rotations and are (perhaps) interested in shadowing, you might be asking, “How do I actually get the chance to shadow?”
Securing a shadowing opportunity can feel daunting, but you have options.
Here are two main pathways:
1. Go through your program or school.
Many educational institutions have partnerships with local hospitals and clinics that allow students to shadow staff. Start by asking your academic advisor, career services, specialty specific department if they offer shadowing programs or have contacts who can help. I’ve seen universities and associated student organizations such as the Health Professional Student Association (HPSA) and HOSA Future Health Professionals offer shadowing partnerships with local clinics, including for aspiring PA, MD/DOs, and nursing students.
For medical students, there are more opportunities as your school is already connected with hospital systems and clinics. There are also student organizations and interest groups such as IMIG that can link you to a physician.
In some cases, your program may handle scheduling, paperwork, and compliance requirements (such as confidentiality agreements and HIPAA training), making the process smoother. Be proactive and plan ahead, as shadowing slots can fill up quickly, especially during the summer and winter breaks when many students are wondering how to shadow a doctor and looking for opportunities.
2. Reach out to individual physicians.
If you have a specific specialty or physician in mind, consider reaching out to them directly. Research the physicians in your area and focus on those who practice in fields you’re interested in exploring.
Be mindful of the physician’s time, and write a concise and professional email (see an example below). Explain who you are, why you want to shadow them, and how the experience would benefit your career exploration. Following up if you don’t receive a response is appropriate, but be respectful and avoid sending multiple messages.
Sample Email to Request a Shadowing Opportunity
Here’s a recent email I received about shadowing. I’ve removed any names to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals involved.
Subject: Request to Shadow
Dear Dr. [Last Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Name] and I am currently an MS-1 student at [Medical Program]. I have a strong interest in the field of family medicine and am hoping to shadow you in the clinic to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of an outpatient clinician.
If possible, I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to observe you in a clinical setting. I believe that shadowing would provide me with a unique and valuable perspective and help me make an informed decision about my career path. I am happy to comply with any necessary administrative requirements to ensure patient confidentiality and to respect your time.
Please let me know if you would be open to discussing this opportunity, thank you.
Regards,
[Full Name]
[Contact Information]
This sounds like a lot of work…why shadow?
1. You’ll gain exposure to different medical fields.
One of the benefits of learning how to shadow a doctor is that shadowing exposes you to the reality of various specialties, allowing you to assess which might align with your interests and personality. While books and lectures provide theoretical knowledge, shadowing immerses you in the day-to-day demands of each specialty.
Example: You might discover that while you enjoy studying dermatology, the actual clinical practice doesn’t match your interest as much as, say, emergency medicine, which offers a more fast-paced environment, and requires quick decision-making for a wide variety of patient encounters.
2. You’ll see different ways of interacting with patients.
Each specialty requires different types of patient interaction, which can influence your specialty choice. For instance, primary care physicians often develop long-term relationships with patients, while radiologists and pathologists typically have less direct patient interaction.
Example: By shadowing a family physician, you may observe how they manage chronic care and build relationships over time. This exposure can help you evaluate whether you enjoy ongoing patient management or prefer a more episodic relationship.
3. You can get a sense for the workflow and lifestyle of different healthcare professionals.
Shadowing provides insight into the unique workflows of different healthcare professionals, helping you understand the lifestyle each offers. Emergency physicians and nurses, for instance, may work irregular hours but have defined shifts, while traditional clinical staff may have more traditional hours but longer patient follow-ups.
Example: Shadowing a surgeon might allow you to see the demands of long hours in the OR, intensive preoperative planning, and the thrill of immediate results. Observing these dynamics can help you assess if this lifestyle matches your personal goals.
4. You’ll make connections and find mentors.
Learning how to shadow a doctor can help you establish valuable connections with physicians who may later serve as mentors. A physician you shadow might write a recommendation letter and provide advice on navigating your medical journey.
Example: After shadowing an oncologist for several months, you might gain a mentor who provides insights into the academic and emotional challenges of the field, as well as tips for school and a letter of recommendation.
5. The commitment is minimal.
Shadowing offers the chance to observe professionals but you’re not required to stick with it. If you find a particular specialty isn’t for you, you’re welcome to stop at any time. However, don’t take the opportunity for granted and be respectful of the professional’s time, as well as your own.
Example: You might shadow a pediatrician and find it too challenging to interact with younger children, so you shift to adolescent or adult medicine. You can pivot quickly and without much drawback. However, please be respectful of the physicians you shadow, and their time as well as your own.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to shadow a doctor can be great for your career in many ways. Shadowing is a formative experience that offers deep insights into a profession of your choosing. By thoughtfully selecting who to shadow, you’ll not only gain a realistic understanding of different medical careers, but also make connections that can have a real impact on the decisions you make.
So, go ahead and take that first step toward exploring the many paths within medicine. You may find that shadowing is the key that helps you find the profession that’s right for you!
