njcjzy
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I shadowed a ID doctor this Monday and it was quite embarrassing. I was afraid of interrupting him by asking questions or providing my opinions because he was so busy all the time. I was afraid to add his burden. But that way, I was like a silent robot. And at the end of the day, the doctor suggested I could shadow him during his not-so-busy days which would be a month later. But good thing was, he really took his time and made a phone call to one of his friend, so I can shadow his friend. I am very exctied for another opportunity, while at the same time, very nervous.
How could I be a good observer, showing my capability while not interfering with the physician's normal work? Thanks for all the advices.
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| njcjzy
Forum Guru
Topics: 15
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Some suggestions for finding an observership if you personally live in the states: getting all your friends or relatives involved in helping you out. You don't know who knows who. And connections do help. And if you could not find observership in the university or big hospitals, settle with private practice physicians first. GL.
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| simi
Forum Elite
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hi njcjzy...congratulations for getting another oppurtunity. ..
I too had this question in my mind...how can one be good observer...observers r not supposed to do anything like examining the patients etc...so what all we can do to show that we can be good physicians.....any tips plz?especially from those who have done observership  ?
njcjzy..wish u good luck
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| azirikani
Forum Senior
Topics: 38
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Dear Njcjzy
as far as I know ,you need to have a good knowladge so try to go over the subejct that you know they will talk about in the hospital, may be read some artciles and most importantly be there on time.And try not to miss anydays unless you are sick.
GL
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
Posts: 160
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Here's a few things i think that might help
1. Be there everyday, and a bit earlier than expected and stay late ( but not too late)
2. Volunteer to work when you are not expected to, like on weekends / holidays
3. Read a lot, textbooks/ journals. And most importantly about the cases your team is following up.
4. Know what you're attending is up to, besides his clinical stuff.. like a paper that he recntly published or a research that he's currently working on and try to know more about it.
5 Be inquisitive, and unless its very inappropriate, DO ASK QUESTIONS. If they cant answer, they will tell you they cant. And then you can ask them where you could possibly find your answers and what should you read.
6. Attendings are almost always very busy.. So, do have good relationships with the fellows and residents. Believe me, if they like you, they'll talk about you to the attending.
7. Try to do some presentations and stuff.
8. Most of all, be nice! be warm and approachable, courteous and very importantly, nicely dressed ( preferably formally dressed) at all times. Try and strike some informal conversations with people, provided you're in a not-too-busy and a bit relaxed environment.
9 Also, a good sense of humor doesnt hurt
Hope this helps.
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| drshvetasm
Forum Elite
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oh wow...good advice hitesh...thanks.
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| njcjzy
Forum Guru
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azirikani, and hitesh, thanks for wonderful advices. Very helpful.
But things are a little different here for me. I am shadowing physicians either in a private clinic, or works on his own in the hospital. Any advice for this situation? Thanks for more inputs.
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| drbin
Forum Guru
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well i too had this same Query,
I was doing an observership in Ped ENT, and was posted with a senior resident for 2 wks. i was there in the hospital 7 days a wk and from 8 -5.30 where all others in the dept came at 8.30 and left at 5.Since i was not allowed to see patients independantly, i prepared all cases from case sheet and saw the pts along with rounds. In the clinic i was standing the whole day observing cases and only once in a blue moon he will ask me one or two Qs for which i think I answered to my best. OP was really busy not to tell, so i didnt know whether i cud disturb him with doubts or any Qs. i was friendly with all of the staff and med students in the Dept to the best of my knowledge, still in the end i didnt get a satisfactory comment from him, and left me wondering what went wrong and where?
so any comments about hw to improve wud be really helpful.......
thanks for starting this thread njcjzy and hitesh and azrikani thanks for the tips
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| njcjzy
Forum Guru
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I went to see an endocrinologist yesterday and discussed the possibilities of shadowing him in his clinic. He was extremely nice and friendly, would allow me to shadow him once a week, but discouraged me to do so. He said that they receive many applications mentioning observership experience, but they won't take too much account into that since it means almost nothing. It was discouraging.
It is a mystery here. If observership means nothing (cause it is hard to get a nice recommendation through this, and it is hard to improve your clinical skill through this), and externship is extremely rare, why are we required for a few months of USCE?
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| Justice
Forum Guru
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njcjzy wrote:
It is a mystery here. If observership means nothing (cause it is hard to get a nice recommendation through this, and it is hard to improve your clinical skill through this), and externship is extremely rare, why are we required for a few months of USCE?
I also start my observership in Peds Heme/Onco... Yes, observership (by the way, it is officially called as Visiting MD) has quite light impact on the application, but having it is better than having nothing... Most horrible thing is that IMG are allowed to have only observership...
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| drshvetasm
Forum Elite
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oh another question I thought of is...if someone is interested in a certain branch say IM and not able to find observership in that branch (yet!) but can easily get into another branch like pediatrics...should the person take it up anyway coz there wud be something under the tag of USCE?
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
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Well, something's better than nothing, esp if you dont have anything better to do during that time.
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| njcjzy
Forum Guru
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Agree. Specific thing better than something. Something better than nothing. Go for it if that is the only opportunity.
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| sandra
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justice, did u say imgs are not allowed to do externships? is that true????
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| mukho
Forum Elite
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IMGs can do externships...they are usually offered to med students but even beyond that u can get it....as it is more hands on than observership, and u get direct contact with patient therefore u might require a working visa...but i know someone who is doing it on a H4, so not impossible just difficult
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| sandra
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thanks for the info mukho!
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| azirikani
Forum Senior
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it was my first day of observationship ,our team visited about 4 patients ,complicated cases mostly end stage ,I answered a few questions that attend asked all ,but I think residents and interns are not happy with having an observer who tries to answer questions and draws attention.what do you think ?I am afraid of being rejected by members of team... 
Gl.
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| hitesh
Forum Senior
Topics: 42
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Answering an open question will not raise eyebrows ( that's infact one of the very few chances you'll get to attract any attantion from the attending) while "stealing" a question directed at a resident/student might. But, being inquisitive wont hurt at all.
Good Luck!
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
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azirikani wrote:it was my first day of observationship ,our team visited about 4 patients ,complicated cases mostly end stage ,I answered a few questions that attend asked all ,but I think residents and interns are not happy with having an observer who tries to answer questions and draws attention.what do you think ?I am afraid of being rejected by members of team... Gl.
I had the same problem and have in mind is a group of let me put it nicely mainly AMG and they will not touch an IMG with a 10 foot pol and they are very proud of doing residency there. And they are 99/99 So Imagen a guy like me answering a question they did not knew RED FLAG. So some times is better to go low ki for a wile and shine when is appropiate.
I remember that I ask other types of management in a patient and the attending look at me and said very good but the research that WE made HERE last month show that this way is better, it will be publish in blbla date and hopefully will be in textbook down the line. BuT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT about that aproach. Then he ask a question to a resident he did not knew then he ask me I said I do not know then 3 patients later he ask me the same question in a different way and I answer and he smile and he said you have a future here. Then he just start asking me stuff and showing me stuff and now I'm the unofficial pet of them
They are very busy but there are moments that you could still a question meaning Doc what do you think about this or abiut this patient why this? they will have a short answer you will say OK thank you right down VERY IMPORTNAT write down the answer so you look more motivated and read in your house about the cases you saw that day.
Then the next day he might ask you what he told you the day before or about one of the patients and you will be ready, also if you ask them something about what he told you the day before that you truly do not understand he will se that you read about it, and sooner than later they will be more at ease with you.
Also be ready to answer this two most common answer at least for me:
1- WHO are you?
2-Why you came to USA?
And be honest about your answer. Also they ask hw will they manage this patient in your country. Also be honest about it but not to honest 
If you guys want USCE, get an Medical Assisting certification by taking the cma or the rma test, you send the credentials and take the test it cost like 40 dollars. Then you can get USCE because they can have sometype of legal excuse why you were touching the patient even if it was WAY beyond what a Mwdical Assistan does.
OK I'm tired of writting this looks like a super long answer but is with the best intetnions to help some people with the little experience I had so far.
Some people may disagree and that is OK with me
God Bless
Gogeta
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| praying4a99
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Nice one GOGETA. Thank you.
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| azirikani
Forum Senior
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Thank you GOGETA
I very much appreciate your reply ,it was so interesting.Issues you mentioned are common problems and concerns for most of the IMG doing observership .I know that you can make it in the best possible way.
Good Luck.
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