Virtual Shadowing: Medical Specialties
Need shadowing hours for medical school? We recruited over 25 top physicians to bring you a guided tour of the medical specialties, delivered 100% virtually. Shadow a cardiologist, radiologist, dermatologist, and more, as they give you a behind-the-scenes look at what their jobs are really like.
Shadow over 25 practicing physicians anytime, anywhere. 100% virtual. 100% free.
Hours of Shadowing
Explore 25+ medical specialties. Add the hours to your resume.
Yes! At MedSchoolCoach, our mission is to help the next generation of physicians launch their careers. While we have paid programs where you can work one-on-one with our physician advisors, we also believe that every future doctor should have access to high-quality career exploration tools like this one.
Yes. When you complete a Virtual Shadowing learning module, you'll be able to download a personalized Certificate of Completion.
When adding your virtual shadowing hours to your application, use the following contact information:
Dr. Sahil Mehta
CEO/Founder of MedSchoolCoach
Tel: 888-381-9509
Email: info@medschoolcoach.com
In-person shadowing is still the gold standard because it lets you observe in-person physician–patient interactions in a real-life clinical setting. However, most medical schools recognize virtual shadowing as a useful supplement that can add to but not replace in-person clinical experiences.
Our Virtual Shadowing series features practicing physicians who trained at some of the top medical institutions in the world. Each session offers a specialty-specific walkthrough similar to what you'd learn at an in-person shadowing experience. This includes an explanation of the typical training path and day-to-day patient care, a HIPAA-compliant patient case walkthrough, and advice for interested students.
We recommend that you use this series as an accessible way to explore different medical specialties to guide your career as a future physician. Pair these hours with in-person shadowing for a more well-rounded medical school application.
Application policies vary by program, so always check requirements for your target schools.
Whether you're a college pre-med, a high schooler, or a non-traditional career-changer, it's never too early (or too late) to start shadowing as a pre-med. No matter where you are on your journey to becoming a doctor, these sessions offer a behind-the-scenes look at each medical specialty. Use this series to clarify your interests in medicine and guide your career as a future physician.
Feeling Out the Life of an Anesthesiologist.
Are you interested in the specialty of anesthesiology? Dive into anesthesiology shadowing and learn from an online lecture, interactive discussions, and presentations by a practicing anesthesiologist.
Art of Breast Surgical Oncology: Saving Lives with Precision
Join Dr. Bonev, as she shares insights and expertise on precision surgical interventions in the fight against breast cancer. Discover the art of saving lives through this immersive journey.
Take a Beat to Learn About the Life of a Cardiologist.
What does a day in the life of a cardiologist look like? While shadowing in interventional cardiology you will learn about procedures such as coronary artery stenting, and interact with a physician practicing in the field.
A Look at the Mind of a Child Neurologist.
What exactly does child neurology entail? During child neurology shadowing, you’ll learn about the treatment of children with nervous system concerns, and engage with an experienced specialist in the field.
More than Skin Deep: The Life of a Dermatologist.
Are you interested in treating the skin, hair and nails? Dermatology shadowing gives you the chance to take a closer look at this profession, and learn from one of its best practitioners.
An Inside Look at Life as a Diagnostic Radiologist.
Diagnostic radiology shadowing explores the life of a physician who uses imaging procedures to diagnose illnesses. In this course, you’ll see both patients and doctors in action.
Stayin' Alive – A Glimpse into Emergency Medicine.
Are you curious about the fast-paced world of emergency medicine? Observe, ask questions and receive mentorship from a physician during our emergency medicine shadowing course.
All in the Family: A Look into Family Medicine.
Do you aspire to be the type of doctor who takes care of people of all ages? Family medicine shadowing is the perfect course for learning what this entails and excelling in the subject matter.
Digest the day in the life of a Gastroenterologist
Learn more about the life of a doctor working as a gastroenterologist. Learn about diagnostic, therapeutic, and other endoscopic procedures during gastroenterology shadowing. 
Scrub in for a Look at Life as a General Surgeon.
If you are interested in what goes on in surgery, don’t miss our general surgery shadowing course. Here you’ll learn exactly what this specialty entails, and interact with a practicing surgeon.
Everything About the Daily Life as an Internist.
Internal medicine shadowing allows you to explore the daily life of a doctor who treats internal diseases. This course is perfect for pre-med students with a particular interest in this specialty.
Imaging the Work of an Interventional Radiologist.
Interact with an experienced interventional radiologist, take part in discussions and gain incredible knowledge from a series of lectures during the interventional radiology shadowing course.
Do a little bit of everything in Med-Peds.
Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician describes in detail several cases they’ve handled. Shadow Dr. Natarajan and learn what they do on a daily basis in Med-Peds.
Get Inside the Mind of a Neurological Surgeon.
Closely follow a neurological surgeon as they explain in detail several cases of diseases that affect the entire nervous system. Learn what surgeons do to treat those diseases.
Delivering a Look in the Life of an Ob-Gyn.
Shadow a gynecologist as they explain in detail how they care for their pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Learn what Ob-Gyn specialists to promote female health.
Everything About a Life in Oncology-Hematology.
Oncology-hematology is the combined practice of the study of blood physiology and the study of cancer. Shadow here, and you will learn from a physician how why these studies are combined.
Take a Look at the Life of an Ophthalmologist.
See into the world of eye care with our ophthalmology shadowing module. Whether you are planning to pursue this field, or you’re simply interested in learning more, this is the course for you.
Make No Bones About the Life of an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Orthopaedic surgeons work with people with a wide range of ailments, from birth defects to sports injuries. Shadow here, and you will learn from a practicing physician how to treat these paitients.
Heads Up. Learn About the Life of an Otolaryngologist.
Also known as ENT, our otolaryngology shadowing module brings you closer to understanding this specialty. Here, you’ll learn from an expert in the field who has spent years learning the subject.
The Cause and Effect of Life of a Pathologist.
Pathology shadowing gives you a fascinating look at the study of disease and, more interestingly, the life of a pathologist. Start your online participation today with our qualified doctor.
Mature Your Knowledge About Life as a Pediatrician.
Pediatric shadowing gives you a first-hand look at the daily live of a pediatrician working in hematology-oncology at a children’s hospital. Start shadowing online with a world-class doctor.
Work Out the Life in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Through physical medicine shadowing, you can learn some of the unique ways doctors are improving people’s lives. Be inspired and learn from a passionate physician that has years of knowledge!
Form and Function: The World of Plastic Surgery.
While shadowing in plastic surgery you can learn how techniques like grafts and flaps can improve the lives of patients. With this online discussion, you will get an inside look at the specialty.
How do you Feel: The Life of a Psychiatrist.
Take an in-depth look at the career of a psychiatrist through psychiatry shadowing. From online lectures to discussions, you’ll learn exactly what this specialty entails.
Invisible Treatment, Visible Care: Radiation Oncology.
Learn how physicians are using radiation therapy to treat cancer patients, and what it takes to be this kind of physician with our online radiation oncology shadowing course.
Urine Good Hands: The Life of a Urologist.
Whether or not you want to be a urologist, urology shadowing is a fascinating experience. Get a glimpse into the daily life of a urologist, ask questions and learn from lectures.
Put Your Heart into the Life of a Vascular Surgeon.
What exactly does it mean to be a vascular surgeon? Have all of your questions answered during your online vascular surgery shadowing. Register for free today!Get Shadowing Hours From Your Couch...
We know in-person shadowing can be tough to find. You might not have any physicians in your network of family and friends. Sending cold emails to doctors you find online is hit or miss (mostly miss). Hospitals have mandatory approval processes and compliance checks. Some clinics don’t even allow shadowers at all. To add to the fun, you’re busy juggling coursework, jobs, and other pre-med requirements.
The aim of this series is to remove all these barriers and give you a comprehensive tour of medicine that you can explore for free, from the comfort of your home, when it suits your schedule. We recruited 27 doctors from the world’s best medical schools to give you a 1-on-1 walkthrough of what makes their specialty unique. Whether you shadow a neurologist, dermatologist, or gastroenterologist, you’ll learn the details of their path to medicine, training timeline, and lifestyle. Then they’ll walk you through a de-identified, HIPAA-compliant patient case, so you can see what daily patient care is actually like.
As tough as it is to find in-person opportunities, admissions still want to see that you’ve observed in-person physician–patient interactions in a real-life clinical setting. That’s why we recommend that you use this series as a supplement, not replacement, for in-person shadowing. After you complete each session and a short quiz to check your understanding, you’ll receive a certificate for one hour of virtual shadowing, signed by the founder of MedSchoolCoach, Dr. Sahil Mehta. There are 27 shadowing sessions at your disposal, which means 27 potential shadowing hours you could add to your med school application. Combine these hours with a few in-person opportunities to elevate your shadowing experience from good to great.
Virtual Clinical Education by MedSchoolCoach features physicians from:
