Blog Post Focus
This blog post will focus on shadowing a doctor while in high school. Shadowing is often done during undergraduate education, but can be done in high school. Shadowing in high school has benefits compared to undergraduate shadowing.
Introduction—Shadowing in High School
Shadowing a physician while you are in high school is an excellent time to shadow. Compared to college you are likely to have more time available to shadow. Also, getting this experience in early is helpful for you to understand early on whether or not you can see yourself as a physician in the future.
Differences with Undergraduate Shadowing?
Shadowing a physician in high school will not have any significant change compared to shadowing during your undergraduate education. You are not a medical professional at either time, so as a shadow you will mostly just observe. So, it is low pressure. Observe and see if you want to be like the physician you are shadowing some day. Or, while you are there you may get exposure to other physicians and other providers and you may find that really interesting and then you can find ways to shadow them.
Setting Up Shadowing as a High School Student
To set up shadowing opportunities simply reach out to your own physicians or family and friends who may be doctors. If these aren’t available or you want more opportunities you can reach out to individual clinics and hospitals and explain you are interested in shadowing physicians—eventually you will find someone who can help you set this up. There may be paperwork involved and it may take weeks or months to get these opportunities set up. Don’t worry, it may take time, but should not be too intensive.
Benefits to Shadowing in High School
Shadowing a physician in high school can give you a sense of whether or not you want to pursue medical school, which can focus your studies early. It can even give you a sense of what sort of physician you want to be. Additionally, you may even have a mentor through this process, someone you can reach out to over the next several years of your journey toward becoming a medical professional.
Conclusion—Shadowing in High School Can Direct Your Focus Early On Whether or Not You Want to Pursue Medicine
If you get the sense that you do not want to be a physician, great—don’t waste your time trying to get ready for medical school. Find something else instead. If you do find that you get super excited and want to pursue medicine then great, start talking to family and advisors to figure out what is necessary.
See the following link for more information: https://medicalaid.org/a-guide-to-shadowing-a-doctor-in-high-school/.
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