Hi! I was wondering if you’ve ever shadowed in a hospital setting. All of the hospitals around me have volunteer programs, but that does not include direct shadowing that you can list under the application. Do you have advice for finding a PT to shadow?

I spent six weeks shadowing at a hospital, and it was a great experience. I remember having to call a few different hospitals in my area before I found one that would agree to let me shadow. The “volunteers” are usually people helping out in the hospital as a good deed, rather students than seeking out educational experiences. Although I did help the physical therapists a bit (by pushing wheelchairs, for example), I wasn’t necessarily there as a “volunteer.”

My advice would be to look up the number for the physical therapy department (or rehabilitation services or another equivalent) and call them. Explain that you’re a student trying to gain experience by shadowing. They’ve been in your shoes and they’ll be able to tell you if it’s possible at their hospital. If you can’t find that number, call the head of volunteering or another general hospital number, explain your situation, and ask if s/he can connect you to the right person.

It might take a little bit of phone tag, but hopefully it will work out!