How to Put Physician Shadowing On a Resume: A Comprehensive Guide
To successfully showcase your physician shadowing experience on your resume, you must carefully and strategically present it to highlight the skills and knowledge you gained; how to put physician shadowing on a resume involves emphasizing relevant accomplishments and quantifiable results to demonstrate your commitment to the medical field.
Why Physician Shadowing Matters and Where It Fits In
Physician shadowing is an invaluable experience for aspiring medical professionals. It offers a firsthand glimpse into the daily realities of a physician’s life, providing exposure to different specialties, patient interactions, and the healthcare environment. Effectively showcasing this experience on your resume can significantly boost your application to medical school, residency programs, or other healthcare-related opportunities.
The Benefits of Including Shadowing on Your Resume
Including physician shadowing on your resume demonstrates several key qualities to admissions committees and potential employers:
- Genuine Interest in Medicine: It showcases your proactive effort to understand the profession.
- Exposure to Medical Settings: Highlights your familiarity with the healthcare environment.
- Observation Skills: Implicitly demonstrates your ability to learn through observation and analysis.
- Professionalism: Indicates your ability to interact appropriately in a professional setting.
- Commitment: Shows your dedication to pursuing a career in medicine.
How To List Physician Shadowing on Your Resume: A Step-by-Step Approach
Follow these steps to effectively present your physician shadowing experience:
- Create a Dedicated Section: Typically, a section labeled “Shadowing Experience” or “Clinical Experience” is ideal. If you have significant research experience, consider a separate “Research Experience” section.
- List Each Shadowing Experience Separately: Provide details for each physician you shadowed individually, using reverse chronological order (most recent first).
- Include Essential Information: For each experience, include the following:
- Physician’s Name and Title (e.g., Dr. Jane Doe, Cardiologist)
- Specialty (e.g., Cardiology, Family Medicine)
- Location (Hospital/Clinic Name and City, State)
- Dates of Shadowing (e.g., June 2023 – August 2023)
- Total Hours Shadowed (Very important for medical school applications)
- Craft Concise and Impactful Bullet Points: Focus on what you learned and observed, not just what you did. Use action verbs to start each bullet point.
- Quantify Your Experience Whenever Possible: Use numbers to illustrate the scope of your experience.
- Tailor Your Description to the Specific Role: Highlight the most relevant aspects of your shadowing experience based on the job or program you are applying for.
Crafting Compelling Bullet Points: Action Verbs and Measurable Outcomes
The bullet points are the heart of your shadowing description. Here are some examples of effective bullet points:
- Observed surgical procedures in the operating room, including laparoscopic cholecystectomies and appendectomies.
- Witnessed patient consultations and gained insight into differential diagnoses and treatment planning for diverse medical conditions.
- Learned about electronic health record (EHR) systems and observed how physicians utilize them for documentation and communication.
- Shadowed Dr. Smith during 15 patient appointments, observing his communication skills and bedside manner.
- Observed various diagnostic techniques, including electrocardiograms (EKGs) and X-rays, and learned how to interpret the results.
- Gained understanding of medical ethics and patient confidentiality by observing physician-patient interactions.
Formatting and Presentation Tips
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent format throughout your resume. Use the same font, font size, and bullet point style for all sections.
- Conciseness: Keep your descriptions brief and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs.
- Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread your resume for any grammatical errors or typos.
- Tailoring: Customize your resume for each application to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.
- Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb.
- Use a professional font: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
- Pay Attention to Margins: Make sure they are consistent throughout the resume.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Vague Descriptions: Avoid using generic statements like “Observed a doctor.”
- Overly Personal Information: Keep the focus on your professional experience and skills.
- Exaggeration or Fabrication: Be honest and accurate in your descriptions.
- Grammatical Errors or Typos: These can make a negative impression on the reader.
- Listing irrelevant information.
- Focusing on what the doctor did, rather than what you learned.
Example Shadowing Experience Section
Shadowing Experience
Dr. Jane Doe, Cardiologist
University Hospital, Anytown, CA
June 2023 – August 2023 (80 hours)
Observed 10 cardiac catheterization procedures, gaining insight into interventional cardiology techniques.
Witnessed patient consultations for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
Learned about interpreting electrocardiograms (EKGs) and echocardiograms.
Observed the use of electronic health records (EHRs) for patient documentation and billing.
Dr. John Smith, Family Medicine Physician
Community Clinic, Anytown, CA
January 2023 – March 2023 (40 hours)
Observed routine check-ups and physical examinations for patients of all ages.
Witnessed patient education on preventative health measures, such as vaccinations and healthy lifestyle choices.
Gained experience in taking patient histories and recording vital signs.
Learned about managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma in a primary care setting.
Incorporating Shadowing Into Your Personal Statement or Cover Letter
While your resume provides a structured overview of your shadowing experience, your personal statement or cover letter offers an opportunity to elaborate on what you learned and how it influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. Share specific anecdotes or insights that demonstrate your understanding of the profession and your commitment to patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Physician Shadowing on a Resume
How many shadowing experiences should I include on my resume?
Include all significant shadowing experiences, especially if they relate to the specialties you’re interested in. Quality over quantity is essential. Several in-depth shadowing experiences are better than many brief ones.
Should I include shadowing experiences from high school on my resume?
Generally, shadowing experiences from high school are less impactful than those from college or post-graduate studies. Unless you have limited shadowing experience, focus on your most recent and relevant experiences. If you include high school shadowing, consider placing it in a separate “Early Experiences” section.
What if my shadowing experience was very short (e.g., only a few hours)?
If the experience was very short, consider combining it with other similar short experiences to create a more substantial entry. If it was a unique and valuable experience, you can include it, but emphasize what you learned during that time.
What action verbs are best to use when describing my shadowing experience?
Strong action verbs to use include: Observed, Witnessed, Assisted, Learned, Gained insight into, Participated (if applicable), Shadowed, Examined, Aided, Noted, Documented, Recorded.
How do I quantify my shadowing experience?
Quantify your experience by including the number of hours shadowed, the number of procedures observed, the number of patients seen, or any other measurable metric. For example, “Observed 10 surgical procedures” or “Shadowed Dr. Smith during 50 patient consultations.”
Where on my resume should I put physician shadowing if I have other relevant experience?
If you have significant research experience, clinical volunteering, or other relevant activities, prioritize those that are most directly related to your career goals. Place shadowing in a section titled “Clinical Experience” or “Related Experience.” Prioritize experiences that align with the specific job or program to which you are applying.
How do I address confidentiality concerns when describing my shadowing experience?
Avoid mentioning any patient-specific details or identifying information. Focus on your observations of general procedures, medical practices, and professional interactions. Emphasize that you understand and respect patient confidentiality.
Can I include shadowing that I did virtually?
Yes, you can include virtual shadowing experiences. Indicate that it was a “virtual” or “online” shadowing experience. Highlight what you learned from the experience, even if it was not in-person. Virtual shadowing has become more common since the pandemic, and admissions committees understand its value.
What if I don’t have any shadowing experience yet?
Prioritize finding opportunities to shadow physicians. Reach out to local hospitals, clinics, or doctors’ offices. Network with friends, family, or professors who may have connections. In the meantime, focus on gaining other relevant experience, such as volunteering in a healthcare setting or participating in medical research.
Is it important to include the physician’s credentials after their name (e.g., MD, DO)?
Yes, including the physician’s credentials adds credibility and professionalism to your resume. It demonstrates that you are familiar with medical terminology and respect the physician’s qualifications.
Should I ask the physician I shadowed for a letter of recommendation?
Yes, if you had a positive and meaningful shadowing experience, ask the physician for a letter of recommendation. Be sure to provide them with your resume, personal statement, and any other relevant information to help them write a strong letter.
What if the physician I shadowed doesn’t remember me well?
Provide the physician with a detailed summary of your shadowing experience, including the dates, location, and specific activities you observed. This will help jog their memory and enable them to write a more personalized and effective letter of recommendation. This information would also be helpful to include when you are detailing how to put physician shadowing on a resume.