Shadowing

Professionalism Reporting

Shadowing in medical school is an incredibly valuable way of exploring medical specialties.  It involves observing a physician during their clinical duties so you can watch, absorb, and understand how medical care is delivered.  Most importantly, your role is to observe, not to provide patient care.

Keck School medical students may participate in shadowing experiences at three sites: Keck Medical Center of USC (KMC), USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and LA General Medical Center.  If you are interested in shadowing, carefully review the steps outlined below:

Before reaching out to physicians at both facilities, you must ensure that:

  • You are in good standing, and
  • You have an active health clearance with USC Student Health and LA General Medical Center.

You are responsible for identifying and securing your own preceptor to shadow.

Once a physician (or their office) has confirmed your shadowing experience, please submit the Shadowing Request Form to inform Student Affairs.  If you are having difficulty finding a physician to shadow, you may:

  • Contact the Specialty SIG associated with the field you want to explore to inquire about shadowing programs, or
  • Reach out to the departmental advisor for that specialty.  If you are unsure who the departmental advisor is, please contact [email protected].

Important! Throughout your shadowing experience, you are expected to adhere to the following:

  1. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own preceptor to shadow.
  2. You must follow all policies and procedures of the facility.
  3. You must follow all instructions and guidance provided by your preceptor.
  4. You are required to always carry your Keck and LA General badge identification.
  5. You understand that meal stipends and parking are not provided for shadowing experiences.
  • Specialty SIG
    Emergency Medicine Student Interest Group (EMSIG)
    Anesthesiology Student Interest Group (ASIG)

    Interested medical students can fill out a request at this link
    Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)
    Pediatrics Student Interest Group (PedSIG)
    Radiology Student Interest Group (RSIG)
    Surgery Student Interest Group (SSIG)
    Urology Student Interest Group (USIG)
    PsychSIG
    Geriatrics Student Interest Group (GSIG)
    Endocrinology Student Interest Group (EndoSIG)
    Medicine and Pediatrics (Med Peds)
    Gastroenterology Student Interest Group (GI SIG)
    Student Interest Group for Neurology (SIGN)
    Student Ophthalmology Interest Group (SOIG)
    Student Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group (SOSIG)

    contact SIG to connect with shadowing coordinator
    Otolaryngology Student Interest Group (OtoSIG)

    point of contact, Dr. Michael Johns ([email protected])

    OtoSIG Shadowing Registry/Contact List

  • Keck Medical Center of USC & Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Throughout your shadowing experience, you will not be permitted any direct, physical patient contact and may not perform any patient services including, but not limited to performing the following functions:

    • Taking medical history, performing physical exams, diagnosing, prescribing/administering drugs, writing notes on a patient’s chart, performing a procedure, or billing.

    You must also be clearly identified by a physician (or identify yourself) to patients and staff at all times through wear of a temporary ID badge, provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. The badge must be returned at the end of the observation period.

    • If you do not obtain permission from each patient for you to be present, kindly excuse yourself immediately.
    • You may not behave or speak in any manner that would lead a patient to believe you are a physician on staff at the facility.

    Professional Dress is Required! If scrubs are required, they must be KMC issued, scrubs from outside KMC are strictly prohibited. No white coats may be worn.

    Procedure:

    1. Ensure you are compliant with USC Student Health and LA General Medical Center Health Clearance requirements.
    2. Obtain written confirmation from your shadowing physician  (or their office) confirming the date and time of your shadowing experience.
    3. Submit the Shadowing Request Form to Student Affairs.
    4. Review the KMC Observer Request Checklist and complete all steps outlined in this document.  Once completed, submit all documentation to the KMC Office of Academic Affairs as part of the registration process.  Ensure submission of this at least ten (10) days prior to the first date of observation to:
      1. Mary Samaniego, GME Manager, at [email protected]. For more information, call (323) 442-9311.

     

    Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Procedure:

    1. Ensure you are compliant with USC Student Health and LA General Medical Center Health Clearance requirements.
    2. Obtain written confirmation from your shadowing physician  (or their office) confirming the date and time of your shadowing experience.
    3. Submit the Shadowing Request Form to Student Affairs.
    4. Follow all policies and procedures of the facility, your shadowing physician (or their office).