Physician Assistant Shadowing Experience

[PAdream21]

Hi, 

for those who have shadowed a PA, what did you do there? What was your responsibilities there? What were you asked to do by the PA or MD during when shadowing?

is it easier to get to shadow hospital PA's instead of private offices PA?

 

Thanks

[BeckyTX]

I was able to shadow a PA in-person during the pandemic, so I'll answer your questions:

• What did you do there?
  • I was basically their shadow for that day. I followed them into the rooms to see patients. I took notes during the patient visits in case something came up that I wanted to know more about. I was able to ask my question in between patients. My PA actually gave me "homework" so we could discuss topics in their specialty. I actually really enjoyed that. I watched them chart so I saw the grunt work that charting is as well as replying to patients messages. I used my iPad to take notes throughout the day. My PA allowed to ask any and all questions.
• What was your responsibilities there?
  • My responsibility was basically to be a shadow and learn. My job was to watch them with patients and just observe while in the room. Absorbed a lot of information. When doing in-patient rounds, I would follow the PA around from room to room as they rounded on the patient. I ate lunch with the PA and go into depth about a lot of topics.
• What were you asked to do by the PA or MD during when shadowing?
  • Aside from "homework", there wasn't much I was asked to do in regards to a certain task. Just to take good notes and listen carefully so I could ask questions later. I did sign waiver/privacy paperwork before I was allowed to shadow. 
• Is it easier to get to shadow hospital PA's instead of private offices PA?
  • It all depends. Currently, hospitals aren't allowing student shadowers due to the pandemic. But a lot of private offices are. You just have to do some research to find that opportunity.\

Hope this helps!

[PAdream21]

Hi Becky, 

thank you for your reply

when during the pandemic (month) you shadowed the PA?

 

Thank you

[spongebob]

On 5/20/2021 at 4:34 PM, BeckyTX said:

I was able to shadow a PA in-person during the pandemic, so I'll answer your questions:

• What did you do there?
  • I was basically their shadow for that day. I followed them into the rooms to see patients. I took notes during the patient visits in case something came up that I wanted to know more about. I was able to ask my question in between patients. My PA actually gave me "homework" so we could discuss topics in their specialty. I actually really enjoyed that. I watched them chart so I saw the grunt work that charting is as well as replying to patients messages. I used my iPad to take notes throughout the day. My PA allowed to ask any and all questions.
• What was your responsibilities there?
  • My responsibility was basically to be a shadow and learn. My job was to watch them with patients and just observe while in the room. Absorbed a lot of information. When doing in-patient rounds, I would follow the PA around from room to room as they rounded on the patient. I ate lunch with the PA and go into depth about a lot of topics.
• What were you asked to do by the PA or MD during when shadowing?
  • Aside from "homework", there wasn't much I was asked to do in regards to a certain task. Just to take good notes and listen carefully so I could ask questions later. I did sign waiver/privacy paperwork before I was allowed to shadow. 
• Is it easier to get to shadow hospital PA's instead of private offices PA?
  • It all depends. Currently, hospitals aren't allowing student shadowers due to the pandemic. But a lot of private offices are. You just have to do some research to find that opportunity.\

Hope this helps!

Hello, thank you for the informative post. Just a quick follow up, how many hours did you shadow them for? Is there an ideal amount that would be best?