The purpose of shadowing is to provide guided career exploration. Students are encouraged to shadow to gain exposure to a variety of specialties.
Shadowing is strictly observational; with the students observing as the health care providers care for patients. This may occur in varied clinical settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and/or office practices. Observation always occurs under the appropriate supervision of a licensed physician or other licensed health care professional (Guidelines for Students Shadowing Physicians, AMA, 2016). Read more here.
It is important to understand that shadowing is not mandatory. Participants are there to observe the health care provider, not to actively participate in clinical care. Shadowing is for the purpose of gaining exposure to a medical field. This can be supplemented further through participation in career interest groups, the annual Career Expo in December, or research.
Students should use the link to the Shadowing Database for Shadowing opportunities: https://wwwapp.bumc.bu.edu/shadowingmed
We understand some opportunities posted have extended hours and that you have curricular obligations. This should not prevent you from taking advantage of the opportunity. Please notify faculty if you have to leave before the posted time at the beginning. You should plan to stay for at least 3 hours.
Understanding Student Shadowing Responsibilities
- Observation must be supervised by a Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine Faculty
- Shadowing students are observers primarily for the purpose of career exploration
- Shadowing students may not access the medical record
- Providers must respect patients’ right to refuse to have an observer in the room
- Shadowing students must respect patient privacy and confidentiality and may never share patient information. This includes on social media.
- Students must be in compliance with all BMC/BU Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine compliance requirements
- Wear appropriate PPE, as defined by hospital policy
- Shadowing access may be revoked at any time
- Dress: business attire, student ID, and white coat
- Shadowing must not take place during required curricular sessions
- Contact Student Health Services in the event of exposure
- Shadowing opportunities are limited to no more than 2 per month per student
Finding Shadowing Opportunities
Malpractice & Liability Coverage
Malpractice coverage is automatically provided to students only for curricular coursework. Shadowing is not covered by liability insurance unless students have signed up for shadowing through the Database.
Students who are shadowing during vacation or outside of Boston Medical Center are not covered by malpractice insurance unless approved by Student Affairs and Boston University’s Risk Management prior to the event. Contact Dean Vivian Sanchez with questions related to this kind of coverage.
Malpractice and Liability insurance is not available for shadowing for those on a formal Leave Of Absence (LOA).
Shadowing Outside of Boston Medical Center
If you are planning to shadow beyond Boston Medical Center or its affiliates you will need to have prior approval by Student Affairs. Please fill out this form: Shadowing Request form
Physician/Provider Responsibilities for Student Shadowing
- Introduce medical students to patients as observers
- Students must complete SAO shadowing form at least one week prior
- Students must meet BMC and Boston compliance requirements
- Students must have appropriate PPE as deemed by environment of practice
- Students must not access medical record
- Shadowing Students must not compete with students on their core clerkships
- Limit 2 students per area at one time
Shadowing in Surgical Subspecialties
Students shadowing on some surgical subspecialties (General Surgery, Plastics, Cardiothoracic, Vascular Surgery) must complete this Shadowing/Observer form and send to Maureen Demmert at Boston Medical Center prior to shadowing.