Day in the Life: Shadowing a Urologist

The most exciting aspect of shadowing any physician or surgeon is that you go in each day without quite knowing what your day will look like. It could be nine hours in the operating room, visiting patients in clinic, or practicing robot-assisted surgery in the lab. Here, I’ve described my first day during a two week shadowing opportunity with a private practice urologist.

6:00 AM:

Wake up. You might be a little nervous, especially at first, but this is completely normal. Make sure to have a solid breakfast as you’ll be standing on your feet for most of the day. Do your morning routine as you would any other day; I wash my face, brush my teeth, and pick out a professional outfit. 

7:00 AM:

Pack a lunch as you won’t have time to eat out, but they often have refrigerators to accommodate staff and students. Don’t forget a pen and notebook to write down all the new information you’ll be learning. Not only will this help you remember in the future, but it also shows attention to detail and intellectual curiosity.

7:15 AM:

This is approximately the time I’d head out each morning as the hospital was a thirty minute drive away, but I’d recommend leaving even earlier on your first day as it can be difficult to navigate. Turn on your favorite music on the way. It always helps me relax. 

7:45 AM:

Arrive and park. It’s always best to be early as it demonstrates initiative on your behalf. 

8:00 AM:

You will likely be shown the ropes by a nurse before entering your mentor’s office. They will then give you a run down for the day, what to expect, and general guidelines. From here, days will vary based on the types of patients you see and how long you spend in clinic–if at all. I will give you an idea of what my first day at the hospital looked like from here forward.

We began by seeing patients. You will likely see basic cases and develop an idea of how to identify them as the day goes on, but you will also see rare instances of anatomy and diagnoses. For me, this lasted until about 1:00 PM, at which point I was given a thirty minute break to eat lunch.

1:00 PM:

Take this time to collect your thoughts, organize your notes, and take a well deserved break. Your mentor will likely be super understanding regarding your position as a premed student. Keep in mind that they have all had to go through the same thing. I received invaluable information regarding the process of applying to medical school and more generally what it’s like going from an undergraduate all the way through residency. My best advice is to ask questions as the  people you’ll be working with want to help you.

1:30 PM:

It’s back to clinic to see more patients. You will develop a better understanding of patient care and the intricacies of the healthcare system as a whole. Doctors see a lot of patients, but it’s important to treat them as individuals despite the fact that physicians are often exhausted and swamped with administrative responsibilities. Whatever they may be experiencing personally, doctors share the responsibility to remain professional and attentive to their patients’ needs. 

4:00 PM:

After seeing the last patient of the day, it was time to head to the OR. You will be provided with scrubs, masks, hair nets, etc. Everyone in the room is open to questions, and while you should let them focus, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most importantly, you NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE STERILE FIELD. If you make any contact, the entire setup is corrupted, and they’ll have to restart. 

6:30 PM:

At this point, we’d finished surgery, and it was finally time to head home. After standing a lot of the time, I needed to shake out my legs, so I would often go for a run or to the gym after leaving. 

8:00 PM:

Although you may be tired, it’s important to stay hydrated and eat well. It’s vital if you’re going to maintain this demanding schedule day after day. I found a hot shower would be relaxing after a long day. Then, I’d read a bit or watch some TV. 

10:30 PM:

It’s time for bed. You’ll have to wake up early and do it all again the next day!