Today I asked a doctor the top 10 questions pre-med students need to ask when shadowing.
If you’re a pre-med student considering a career in medicine, physician shadowing is a fantastic way to learn what the day-in-the-life-of-a-doctor is like. Perhaps even more importantly, the doctor you’ll shadow is a treasure trove of knowledge, experience, and ideas. The opportunity to pick their brain is invaluable for a would-be medical student.
But it can be daunting to know what to ask. Especially when you’re immersed in the physician’s daily activities and they still have a very important job to complete. How do you know which questions to ask, in a limited amount of time, while remaining respectful and professional?
Here is a list of questions to ask when shadowing a doctor.
(01:24) #1 - What is the biggest challenge of being a doctor?
Many people choose a career based on dollar signs. After all, we need money to survive! But keep in mind that every career has its challenges, and some are more troubling than others. Make sure you’ll be able to handle the challenges of a career in medicine.
(02:28) #2 - Do you enjoy your job?
This may seem like an obvious question, but many physicians work full-time (often over-time), well into their mid-sixties. Having a job that you enjoy will enrich your life as opposed to making your life miserable.
(03:14) #3 - What qualities does a good doctor need?
Getting the inside scoop on the kind of person that does well in medicine is invaluable. You’ll be able to compare your own qualities, personality traits, and skills to the ones the doctor lists to see if you’re a natural fit.
(04:08) #4 - How did you choose your medical school?
Choosing medical schools to apply to is a critical step in the process of becoming a doctor. You have to look at finances, acceptance rates, location, and so much more - just like when you chose your current college or university. The doctor you’re shadowing can give you insight about their personal journey.
(05:40) #5 - How did you choose your specialization?
Maybe you know you want to work as a doctor, but you’re unsure of what segment of medicine to specialize in. Understanding how the doctor you’re shadowing chose their discipline can help you make your own decisions about what discipline is best for you. If you’re shadowing someone in the discipline you’d like to be in yourself, ask how they feel about that discipline specifically.
(06:47) #6 - What is your typical schedule, inside and outside of the hospital?
When you ask this question, keep in mind what your own goals are in terms of hours worked, hobbies you participate in, and how much time you’d like to spend with friends and family.
(10:20) #7 - What is the hardest part of medical school? What is the most fun/rewarding?
Up to this point, many of the questions have been about being a doctor. However, before you reach that goal, you’ll have to conquer medical school! Getting insight from a physician about what you can expect as a full-fledged medical student can prepare you for the next chapter of your life.
(12:53) #8 - What do you wish you knew before you went to medical school? Before residency? Before becoming a doctor?
Even the most thorough research won’t teach us everything we need to know on a subject - especially about a career that lasts decades. However, your doctor shadowing experience can help give you an edge on the things you can’t research.
(14:04) #9 - Did you have a “lightbulb moment” where you realized being a doctor was the right choice?
This is a great question for a number of reasons. Obviously, understanding what led someone else to make the decision you’re currently trying to figure out is insightful. However, the best part of this question is the ability to hear a moving story about a life as a doctor, and the motivations behind someone who’s successful at a career you’re considering.
(15:59) #10 - If you had to start over as a pre-med student, would you do anything differently?
Finally, this question gets into the nitty-gritty. You’ll learn mistakes your shadow doctor would avoid, and things they should have done but didn’t.
As a first generation medical student, I have struggled to learn about the realities of the medical field. Shadowing opportunities can be difficult for pre-med students to find, so I created this video series to make shadowing more accessible to all pre-health students. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to be notified every time I post a new specialty!
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