How do you shadow a PA and what do you do before, during, and after your shadowing experience? Shadowing could be your ticket to PA school, so you’ll definitely want to make the most of it.
Before your first day, consider preparing a checklist to remember what you need to bring or any questions you want to ask the physician assistant when shadowing. Also note the important dates, the hospital’s address, and important phone numbers. Once you’re there, pay attention to the PA’s instructions and guidelines, and observe carefully.
There are many places where you can do your PA shadowing, from your local hospital to an NGO abroad!
How many shadowing hours do you need for PA school?
Universities often have their own guidelines regarding the shadowing hour requirements. According to Brigham Young University, most schools consider 70-80 hours to be a good range. That said, top applicants usually have over 100 hours of shadowing under their belts. Consider taking a look at some of your preferred universities’ requirements to have an idea of how many hours you need.
The opportunity to shadow professionals can leave you with lifelong career lessons!
Our recommendation: why not consider shadowing a physician assistant abroad? Healthcare internships abroad, including PA internships, offer 50 to 200 hours of clinical shadowing. Not only does this meet the requirements of most schools, but it also unlocks many amazing experiences, such as living in another country, learning about a new culture, and boosting your resume.
3 ways to shadow a physician assistant
Of course, you can ask your neighborhood hospital if they can help you find a physician assistant to shadow. But you can also get creative and merge shadowing with your love of traveling! Here are three off-the-beaten-path ways of finding a PA to shadow abroad:
1. Get an internship.
Interning will give you a direct line to physician assistants.
Overseas PA internships accept undergraduate and graduate students, residents, and practitioners who want to shadow a PA while learning about healthcare in another country.
They are often set in countries in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean, where there is an urgent need for healthcare professionals.
Besides shadowing, you will also attend lectures and simulations to prepare for PA school in the best way possible.
Another benefit of PA internships is personalized counseling—with the help of admissions experts, you’ll get feedback on your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interview skills.
With an internship abroad, you’ll get one step closer to PA school while learning, networking, and traveling.
Recommended program: Physician Assistant/Pre-PA Internships Abroad
2. Volunteer abroad.
In healthcare volunteer programs, students learn about different medical fields, such as medicine, PA, public health, nursing, and dentistry.
A sweet spot between traveling, getting hospital work experience, and helping those in need, you can find volunteer opportunities anywhere in the world.
Besides shadowing, your tasks will include preparing the necessary equipment, organizing patient records, and helping the hospital staff.
In the end, you’ll have an unforgettable experience, and return with thousands of memories and friends from different parts of the world.
Recommended program: Shadow & Volunteer: 50+ Hours, Spring - Summer in Greece
3. Study abroad.
Studying abroad typically has a practical component—so you can shadow a PA *and* earn some academic credit.
If you’re torn between studying abroad and shadowing a PA during your gap year, why not do both?
Take a look at educational programs that include lectures, hospital visits, clinical rotations, shadowing, and PA school admission guidance. These programs will most likely host fellow students, teachers, and PAs, which will allow you to meet people in your field.
Studying abroad opens many doors, including experiencing the education system of a new country, learning a new language, and in your case, improving your worldview as an aspiring healthcare professional.
Plus, fellow students and PAs may be your colleagues one day—wouldn’t it be nice to get a sneak peek into your possible future life and career?
Recommended program: Physician Assistant Clinical Rotations in Africa
5 tips for PA shadowing
Make the most of this unique opportunity!
“Be yourself” is often the ultimate advice, and we agree! But things can get a little messy when we’re excited or stressed. This is why we have some tips on how to shadow a physician assistant and what to do before, during, and after.
1. Prepare beforehand to make a good first impression.
You only get one shot to make a good first impression. Make sure to look up the hospital’s address in advance, double-check what time you need to be there, and show up on time, preferably a little early.
Wear business casual attire so you look professional while feeling comfortable in your clothes. This is good enough to make that good first impression!
2. Ask questions.
Don't hesitate to ask questions about procedures and diagnoses while you’re shadowing the PA. This will show that you’re curious about the job. In most cases, the PA will also be happy to answer questions about the job and why it’s a good career path.
3. Take notes.
Taking notes allows you to revisit what you learned later on.
Especially on your first days, you’ll have a lot to remember. To make sure you don’t forget, consider bringing a pen and a notebook or using the Notes app on your phone.
Note anything you need to bring for the next few days or journal about your experience. These notes may come in handy while you’re preparing for your PA school interview!
4. Be friendly yet professional.
Always respect the guidelines and the PA’s boundaries. For example, in most cases, your tasks will be limited to shadowing, meaning you won’t get to interact with the patients much.
Follow the instructions to keep a good relationship with the PA. Speaking of good relationships, it doesn’t hurt to be friendly. Questions like “How did you prepare for PA school?” or “What do you like the most about being a PA?” would help break the ice.
5. Stay in touch.
Once you’re done with your shadowing experience, exchange emails or phone numbers to stay in touch with the PAs. This is also a good opportunity to say thank you or ask for a letter of recommendation for PA school.
Get matched with 5 medical internships abroad right now
Questions to ask a physician assistant when shadowing
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! It can only elevate your experience.
Before shadowing a physician assistant, consider preparing some questions in advance that will help you learn more about the shadowing. Make sure your questions cover different topics, including what it’s like to be a PA, the best and hardest parts of the job, and how to prepare for PA school. At the end of your shadowing experience, you could also ask the PA if they could write you a letter of recommendation.
Here are 10 example questions to ask a physician assistant:
1. What is a typical day like as a PA?
2. What can I do to prepare for the next day of shadowing?
3. What would you do if you encountered a difficult patient?
4. What do you like about being a PA?
5. What is the hardest part of being a PA?
6. How did you prepare for PA school? Do you have any recommendations?
7. How do you build trust with patients?
8. How do you manage your schedule in a fast-paced clinical setting?
9. Do you have any advice on how aspiring PAs can improve their knowledge beyond PA school?
10. Could you write me a letter of recommendation for PA school?
Find and compare medical internships abroad with MyGoAbroad
After shadowing a physician assistant, you’ll be well-prepared for PA school!
Shadowing a physician assistant also means taking a look at their typical day, which could be your typical day in a few years. Thanks to this career-defining experience, you’ll get a headstart in your PA school admissions. Especially if you’ve done a PA internship abroad, you’ll have a lot to show to PA schools—international experience, clinical shadowing, cultural knowledge, and more!
Explore ALL Medical Internships on GoAbroad.com
This article was written with help from International Medical Aid, who also provided all photos seen above. IMA is a not-for-profit organization that offers medical programs for students in places like East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean through an ethics-based approach to care. They offer summer, fall, and winter programs.
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