Explore Healthcare Through Shadowing
What Is Shadowing?
Shadowing is the experience of following a healthcare professional during their workday to observe how they care for patients, interact with staff, and manage their practice. It is not hands-on clinical work but rather an opportunity to learn by observing.
As the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) explains:
“Shadowing a physician is a great way to learn more about healthcare and to confirm your interest in medicine.” (AAMC.ORG)
Shadowing helps students gain exposure to different specialties and settings, allowing them to see what the day-to-day reality of a career in healthcare looks like.
Why Do You Need to Shadow?
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Medical and health professional schools require it. Admissions committees want applicants to demonstrate that they understand the realities of patient care and are making an informed decision about their career path.
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Exploration of specialties. Shadowing different providers (e.g., family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, dentistry) helps you decide which field best matches your interests and strengths.
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Networking and mentorship. Shadowing allows you to build relationships with providers who can later serve as mentors or write strong letters of recommendation.
As the University of Michigan Medical School notes:
“Shadowing is a critical way to demonstrate that you are serious about a career in medicine, and to show that you understand the challenges and rewards of patient care.”
Why Do Medical and Health Professional Schools Require Shadowing?
Medical schools and health professional programs want to see that applicants have:
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First-hand exposure to patient care.
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Realistic expectations of the profession.
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Commitment to pursuing healthcare despite challenges.
The AAMC emphasizes that shadowing is a way to show readiness:
“Medical schools want applicants to have a realistic view of the physician’s role in healthcare. Shadowing is a primary way to gain this understanding.”(AAMC.ORG)
Shadowing Etiquette
Shadowing is an incredible opportunity to gain insight into healthcare, but it’s also a privilege. Providers are giving you access to their time, workplace, and patients — so professionalism is essential.
Key Guidelines
From the AAMC (“Shadowing a Doctor”):
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“Be courteous and professional … Ask questions and take notes in between patients, not in front of them, and prepare some questions ahead of time.” (AAMC – Shadowing a Doctor)
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Dress professionally and comfortably.
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Respect patient privacy — never share identifiable information.
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Always thank the provider after the experience, ideally with a written note.
From Shemmassian Consulting:
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Arrive early and be punctual.
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Use professional language when contacting and interacting with providers.
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Do not interrupt during patient care — wait for natural breaks to ask questions.
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Pay close attention, remain engaged, and avoid distractions (such as checking your phone).
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Send a thoughtful thank-you note afterwards, and if appropriate, ask for a letter of recommendation while the experience is still fresh.
(Shemmassian Consulting – How to Ask to Shadow a Doctor)
Watch this video to learn more about shadowing and how to make the most of the experience!
How MPO Can Help You Shadow
The Medical Professions Organization (MPO) is committed to supporting our members in gaining valuable shadowing experiences. We know that reaching out to providers can feel overwhelming, so we’ve created a structured system to make the process easier.
Here’s how it works:
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Fill Out the Google Form – Complete our Shadowing Interest Form below, where you’ll provide general information (name, email, pre-health path, etc.) and select up to three specialties you’d like to shadow.
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Receive Provider Contacts – Based on your selections, MPO will email you the names and contact information of 3–4 physicians in each specialty.
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Get Outreach Support – Along with provider contacts, you’ll also receive email and phone script templates, etiquette guidelines, and resource links (e.g., AAMC, Shemmassian Consulting, UTEP Career Center).
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Take Initiative – You are responsible for reaching out to providers directly. The templates and resources we provide are optional, but we strongly recommend using them as they can help streamline the process and improve your chances of success.
⚠️ Important: Shadowing assistance is a benefit for MPO members only. If you are not a current member and/or have not paid your dues, you will not receive a response to your shadowing request form.
Additional Resources:
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UTEP Career Center for interview & Resume advice if required.
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UTEP Career Closet to rent professional attire.