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How would I go about finding shadowing opportunities for dermatology?
I’m an upcoming sophomore in Georgia and I’ve found it hard to find any dermatologists who would let me shadow here. Is there any advice I could get on finding opportunities to? #college #medicine #doctor #career
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9 answers
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Angela D.’s Answer
Hi Kaiya! Great question and wonderful advice provided! I have four other related suggestions. Perhaps you can shadow a nurse, physician's assistant or office manager in a dermatology office. You would be able to see a different perspective of how they relate to patients and situations on the ground, so to speak. Also, you may be able to schedule a short phone or tele-conference with a dermatologist at their convenience. This opens up access to professionals outside of your phsical location. Keep in mind, it should be a short conversation...15 minutes or so. Be precise and relevant about your questions and you can forward them ahead of time. Some gentle suggestions are listed below. And, yes, as was mentioned earlier, send thank you notes either by hand or electronically. Another option is to interview a medical student currently in training or residency. Yet another perspective. Lastly, check out the websites below for dermatology associations, they have a wealth of information as well. Attending a conference in person or virtually may be beneficial. Please note that these are only a few of the many resources available online. Wishing you the best in your endeavors, Dr. B
- What does your typical day look like?
- What are particular challenges in your field?
- Do you have recommendations for a student wishing to focus on dermatology in terms of education, service, or other?
- If you had one piece of advice to give, what would that be?
American Academy of Dermatology - https://www.aad.org/
American Society of Dermatology - https://www.asd.org/
Medical Dermatology Society - https://www.meddermsociety.org/
- What does your typical day look like?
- What are particular challenges in your field?
- Do you have recommendations for a student wishing to focus on dermatology in terms of education, service, or other?
- If you had one piece of advice to give, what would that be?
American Academy of Dermatology - https://www.aad.org/
American Society of Dermatology - https://www.asd.org/
Medical Dermatology Society - https://www.meddermsociety.org/
Thank you so much for this information!!! I’ll be sure to definitely look into these, thanks again!
Kaiya
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Create a list of medical specialties that interest you. We know, it's crazy early to be deciding the rest of your medical career with hardly any knowledge. ...
Try shadowing your family doctor. ..
Once you have a connection, ask if they can connect you to dermatologist
Enjoy the clinical experience. ...
Send a thank you note.
Try shadowing your family doctor. ..
Once you have a connection, ask if they can connect you to dermatologist
Enjoy the clinical experience. ...
Send a thank you note.
Updated
David’s Answer
You can first start with shadowing with your primary physician and try getting recommendation from their network to work with any dermatologists. Secondly volunteering work in hospital and from there you can definitely find any dermatologists and they may consider letting you shadow with them. Third will be attending conference, work shop, and networking events for dermatologists and from there you can network and try to ask for if they can give you an opportunity to shadow them but you still needs to explain to them your main purpose of the shadowing, but one additional thing you have to consider is "The HIPAA" as most HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information and applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. That can be another reason why they are not willing to allow you to shadow them. You can always try asking your college to see if they can assist or help as well, but one thing if you college has a hospital or College of Medicine, College of Public Health or any College department that is related to medical then you should be able to ask them for assistance in getting a shadowing with a dermatologists.
Thank you so much!! When I get back on campus, I’ll be sure to ask and see what they say!
Kaiya
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Rachel’s Answer
Start by asking your PCP if you may shadow him/her. Once you have developed a relationship with that physician, he/she may reach out to a dermatologist colleague and secure you a shadowing opportunity.
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Richard’s Answer
Use all your contacts including physicians and all other medical providers such as nurses, PAs, technologists etc. You may end up shadowing another specialty, but that might help you find another interest anyway.
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Rachel’s Answer
Consider asking your primary care doctor whether you can shadow him/her. Once you develop a relationship with one physician, often they are able to reach out to colleagues and vouch for you.
Thank you so much! That’s really helpful and I’ll be sure to ask next time I go in for my visit!
Kaiya
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Becky’s Answer
There is a book called The Proximity Principle. It talks about relying on your relationships and the connections that your friends and family may have. So instead of looking for a dermatologist in your circle or in a google search, Ask your friends and family to introduce you to someone they already have a relationship with. A warm connection like that is better than just calling someone out of the blue. People are more likely to help people they already know. Lean on the connections you already have. Best of luck!
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
It’s great that you’re giving this some thought whether you are a sophomore at UGA or in HS. It would be wise to investigate all specialities within the medical field. After you finish your bachelors degree and enter medical school, you will work with a variety of specialities during years 3 and 4 of med school. This will help you confirm the area you want to specialize in whether its primary care or something else such as dermatology, but keep in mind that it is very competitive to get exactly what you want. Good luck!
Thank you so much! I’m very passionate about skincare so hopefully I will, but in any other case I’ll definitely be weighing my options in other specialties
Kaiya
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
If you know any other doctors in Atlanta well, you could ask them. Dermatology is usually a very busy field due to a shortage of dermatologists. Your best chance to shadow would be at a medical school clinic at Emory or medical college of GA. You might try calling them or writing a letter to some derm faculty members. Good luck!