Hi Asmaa! We totally understand. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear "yes" on the first try. There are many physicians out there who want to help aspiring premeds!

Sorry to be so off topic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I love any tips you can offer me.

Wonderful!

You're so welcome!

You got it, Nidhi! :)

Glad you like the video, Sehan! We'll put a Stanford Med video on our to do list. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out our guide on How to Get Into Stanford Med School: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-get-into-stanford-medical-school

Of course! We'll put that into the queue. Thanks for reaching out! In the meanwhile, we do have some thoughts on both shadowing experiences and LORs. Links below! www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-ask-to-shadow-a-doctor kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ac2ppLqUrtedYYE.html& lor@

You're welcome! So long as they don't share your last name, it'll be fine to shadow an acquaintance. Also, make sure to read this: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/how-to-ask-to-shadow-a-doctor

@@Shemmassian Thank you!

You're welcome, Farzaneh!

You're welcome, Aaron! Thanks for your kind words. How to record shadowing hours: Most students just keep track on a computer spreadsheet. On the med school application, you can pool all of your hours in a single entry on the Work and Activities section and list the physicians you shadowed in the description. You can begin shadowing in high school. so long as the physician invites you.

Hey Keegan! I recommend waiting so he can write you a much stronger letter.

I don't think high school is too early to shadow if you're simply exploring the field for a potential career or if you're looking to apply to BS/MD programs. I would advise my child to steer clear of shadowing during the pandemic since they would certainly be considered "non-essential" in the health care setting and the risk is not worth the upside.

During the pandemic, I, for the same reason, recommended that healthcare facilities close down shadowing programs and patients refuse requests to be observed. Unfortunately, some providers neither introduced shadows as such nor secured consent from patients to be observed both before and during the pandemic. When I complained to the OCR about this ethical breach (according to the AMA Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 3.1.2), I was informed in writing that shadowing programs are healthcare operations and as such it is not obligatory to introduce its participants to patients, inform patients that they are shadows, nor get patients' consent. Indeed, shadows are permitted, with the blessing of OCR's regional managers, to observe patients being prepped for surgery and in surgery without patients ever knowing of their presence. If a covered entity allowed my best friend to watch while I underwent surgery without my consent, this would be a HIPAA violation. In all likelihood the surgeon would not allow it anyway. However, the surgeon could bring in my best friend's children to watch the surgery without my knowledge or consent if they were part of a shadowing program. Dr. Shemmassian, Can you make sense of what I believe to be a government sanctioning of a nonsensical human rights violation? @@Shemmassian

Nothing in particular! Just takes notes about interesting observations, ask thoughtful questions, etc.

Did you ever figure out what to do?

@@TheBibirules unfortunately no

I’m not premed but if you’re talking about one doctor in this case I’d assume you send them a thank you note after all the visits you have with them.

@@bruhhhebrooo5269 That makes sense. Thank you

Did you do it? You won't know if it's for you until you take the leap!

Hello! You're welcome to shadow your uncle, but if you're planning to obtain a letter of recommendation, we'd recommend finding other physicians to shadow. Hope this helps!

@@Shemmassian Okay awesome, I’m planning on shadowing a few different doctors for LOR but I’m also looking for as much shadowing time as possible. Thank you so much!