Cynthia, Final Thoughts

When I first started out shadowing Dr. Cataldo, I expected that I would follow him around and watch his interactions with patients and nurses, as I had done before when shadowing oncologists. This time, I was very excited, and a little nervous, to start off in the operating room. I had not done that before so I really did not know what would happen from that perspective. All of my ideas of what being in the operating room would be like came from watching television shows like Grey’s Anatomy. My experience in watching Dr. Cataldo in the operating room, however, far exceeded my expectations based on television. First off, I learned a lot about colorectal surgery and colon cancer from watching the surgeries. I watched multiple surgeries including ones that involve open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries. The surgeries seemed so high-pressured and complex, but the doctor and his team seemed to handle the surgeries effortlessly. I admired their confidence and experience in handling the surgeries and their dedication to helping the patients. I didn’t always see that confidence or dedication on television.

This experience has reaffirmed my goal of becoming a doctor. It has helped me determine which areas of medicine that I would like to explore the most: surgery, clinical, or a mixture of both. I have learned that I enjoy being where the situation is high pressure. I also like when everything is happening at a fast pace. Most of all, I learned that I really enjoy interacting with patients in the clinic, helping to answer their questions and address any concerns about their surgeries and medical condition. Before starting this program, I was a little nervous about the graphic detail and goriness of surgeries, but I found that it did not affect me much at all. Only one time did I feel a bit uncomfortable and lightheaded.

I highly recommend shadowing Dr. Thomas Cataldo at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I would tell a student interested in shadowing Dr. Cataldo to ask him any and all questions even if they believe it would make them look clueless. As Dr. Cataldo says “The only question that is stupid is one that is not asked.” After each surgery and each visit with a patient in the clinic, Dr. Cataldo would always asked me and my fellow student whether we had any questions. He was always happy to answer any questions that we had and he always had a response. He also would summarize and review any new concepts that we learned and he would tell us key points of information about each patient. Even if a fellow student does not have the opportunity to shadow Dr. Cataldo, I would highly recommend shadowing an oncologist, especially in the operating room. The experience of watching a skilled surgeon helping a patient cannot be overstated. It’s also a much more interesting experiencing to witness a surgery live than watching it on television because you can look around and see all of the doctors and nurses contributing to its success.

I am most proud of the chance to assist Dr. Cataldo in the fast-paced action of the operating room. Watching his superb skill in performing surgeries and the attention he pays to his patients is something that I will always remember. It really has increased my interest in being a doctor and working in the medical field helping patients first hand.

I would like to say thank you to Dr. Thomas Cataldo, Dr. Leslie Garret, Michelle Torres, Erika Tai, and the medical students at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Each of them contributed to a wonderful summer of learning. I am grateful for their advice and willingness to share their valuable time with me. I had an extraordinary experience shadowing and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity.

Matthew, Final Thoughts

The experience exceeded my expectations. Dr. Cataldo and his colleagues were exceptionally welcoming and informative. Dr. Cataldo would often check in to make sure we were getting as much as we could from the experience. He would often ask us if we had any questions, and always had an answer. He has also allowed us to stay the rest of the summer! I want to make clear that I am not sure if he will do this in future years, but this should demonstrate how kind he was and continues to be to us. He also connected us to other doctors we can shadow over the summer. Next week I am going to shadow a medical oncologist! Then I will return to him. This experience has helped clarify my career interests. I am now more sure than ever that I would like to pursue medicine. The experience has complicated my view of medicine. I have learned that I can rise to the challenge of a fast-paced work environment and learn quickly under pressure. This experience was not exactly easy, but it was highly rewarding. It will challenge your preconceptions about medicine. If you are quicky to sympathy (as I am) it will require you to develop mentally so that you can deal with the suffering you see around you. There are a lot of grim outlooks, and a lot of gory surgery. That being said, most patients have options at this point. Not all of them are destined to die, but the ones that are will touch you. You need to be the kind of person that can take that to heart and carry on. I highly recommend the experience. I recommend it specifically to those who have the capacity for rapid personal development, that will be your biggest asset. Part of what you have to learn is how to incorporate sympathy and laser-focus into your thinking. You always have to move on, but that doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge and smile at the patients (one specifically mentioned they appreciated it). I think this can be generalized to shadowing in the field. If you have a lot of questions, this is also a great opportunity for you. There were so many opportunities to ask questions! This is specific to the site. I am most proud of how I handled the difficulties of this job and how I integrated this experience into my view of medicine without being overwhelmed by its immense complexity.

I would like to thank Dr. Thomas Cataldo, Michelle Torres, Karen Lee, Erika Tai, and everyone at BIDMC and the Brandeis Pre-Health Team for this tremendous opportunity. I will be forever grateful. I would also like to thank the reader for following my posts. I highly recommend this site, so give it a shot! I was only a freshman when I applied, so don’t ever let your age fool you into thinking you don’t have a chance. You have a chance here to change your worldview, possibly to change your life, don’t let it pass you by.

Cynthia, Midway

I am about halfway through my shadowing experience for this summer. It has been an enlightening experience so far. I have been able to view Dr. Cataldo during a mixture of surgeries and in the clinic. I have experienced firsthand patient-physician interactions and physician-physician interactions. I have felt the concerns and questions patients raised with their doctors and saw how the doctors tried to alleviate the concerns. On my first day of shadowing, I was able to sit in on the tumor board. The tumor board is where doctors and nurse practitioners come together to discuss patients that have cancer and how each patient should be treated. Afterwards there was a tumor clinic where the doctors saw the patients that they had discussed an hour before. The doctors who attend the clinic were a mixture of oncologists, radiation oncologists, and the two colorectal surgeons. There were also nurses and nurse practitioners. I have been to the tumor board and tumor clinic a couple times now. Each time I find it exciting but scary to hear the doctors discuss the patients and then be with Dr. Cataldo when he saw the patients discussed in the past hour because I can see how the doctors implement the treatment they have discussed.

I have been able to observe a few surgeries so far. I have seen a mixture of open surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries, and surgeries with a robot. I was worried that I would feel sick from watching the operations but that has only happened once. The operations have intrigued me. Operations involve many different types of equipment and medical personnel. I have learned that surgeries are a team effort. It is not just the surgeon performing the operation alone. There is a circulating nurse, a surgical technician, an anesthesiologist, either an anesthesiologist resident or a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the surgical resident. Teamwork is an essential component of a successful surgery. No one works alone in the medical field. There is a lot of collaboration between doctors and other practitioners in the medical field. Also, you can always ask others for help when you need it. 

Based on my experiences to date, I have found that the medical field differs from university and academic life because practicing medicine is not just about knowledge but putting that knowledge to practice. While attending university, students learn all about the anatomy of the human body and about disease. Although that learning is necessary to becoming a doctor, caring for patients requires using knowledge to calm patients and treat them. Doctors need to have more than just book knowledge; they also need a certain amount of street smarts. I have learned the importance of sociology and psychology with respect to medicine. With each patient, there is a psychosocial examination performed. It is important to take into account the social and psychological background of each patient to better understand the patient’s life and how the disease that one has affects his or her life. I have enjoyed learning that sociology is important in medicine because I have very much enjoyed the sociology classes that I have taken at Brandeis. I now see that my concerns that they would not be very useful for medical school are unfounded. 

My shadowing experience so far has taught me to have a greater appreciation for teamwork and communication skills. My communication skills have improved as I have interacted with Dr. Cataldo, his colleagues, and his patients. I have learned that it is okay to work together in order to accomplish a goal. When Dr. Cataldo has clinic, the resident or nurse practitioner is the first to go in the room to see the patient. The resident or nurse practitioner then reports back to Dr. Cataldo and then he goes to see the patient. I also have learned the importance of thoroughly listening. A doctor must careful listen to a patient’s problems before giving a response or diagnosis. 

One thing that I have learned about myself from shadowing is that I love the clinical work. I like being able to interact with the patients. Not only learning from them about their conditions, but also hearing their fears, concerns, and hopes. My shadowing experience has reaffirmed my goal of helping people through the medical profession. 

Matthew, Midway Point

My new environment has been interesting, informative, and enriching. I absolutely love Dr. Cataldo, his dedication coupled with his intelligence and kindness have really made me feel welcomed. I am really happy that I was given this opportunity. My preconceptions about the medical field and surgery in particular have been challenged, and I am very grateful. The patient interaction was interesting to say the least. I met a variety of patients, from those who showered Dr. Cataldo with thanks for saving their lives, to those dying or needing a permanent colostomy. How he handled these situations speaks volumes about what kind of traits and viewpoints are necessary to become a surgeon. I spoke with him about what he believes are the most important factors in surgery. He stated that there is something in the soul of a surgeon, that to care deeply about your patient and to cut them open requires a certain type of person. Undoubtedly, he has provided invaluable advice so far! When I was first in the OR, it was very jarring but infinitely interesting. Very quickly, we moved from interacting with an average person to staring into the bowels of an unconscious one. It was very eye-opening. I had viewed surgeries online before, but having the person in front of you in the OR really is an entirely different experience altogether. It is something that needs to be experienced. Needless to say, the wealth of information and experiences has necessitated some adjustments in how I think about surgery and medicine in general. Luckily, it has only increased my interest so far. I also attended tumor board meetings and clinic. I love the type of interaction I observe between departments and doctors in these areas. I love the surgeries. They are strange, but I can’t help but be interested in what is going on in the OR near 100% of the time. It’s really astounding. 

The medical field is not altogether dissimilar from university/academic life. There is ample interdisciplinary interaction between the different aspects of medicine in patient-specific problems that arise. This is similar to that encouraged in the QBReC program that I am a part of. Learning is at the forefront in my experience, and most doctors I have met are happy to teach which is so encouraging. The main difference is that in medicine it seems the information you learn is constantly being applied (which I love and have always looked for in a profession) as opposed to university where the current application is limited.

I am learning about patient-physician interaction, physician-physician interaction, the daily life of a colorectal surgeon, and whether I want to pursue this or similar aspects of medicine. I am gaining a broader understanding of the medical field and how complex problems are solved with limited information. I am developing connections and learning how to interact with patients and physicians.

Cynthia, Pre-Departure

This summer I have been given the opportunity to shadow Dr. Thomas Cataldo at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Cataldo is an Assistant Professor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School and is on staff in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Beth Israel. I am excited to shadow Dr. Cataldo as he meets with, examines, and performs surgery on his patients.

Ever since I was eleven, I have wanted to be a doctor. It all stemmed from the fact that I was sick all the time when I was child. Each time I was ill, I would look in a medical book that my parents had to diagnose myself. In middle school and high school, I watched Grey’s Anatomy. Although that show glamorized the medical profession, it furthered my desire to be a doctor and made me curious about what it’s like to be a surgeon. In high school, I attended multiple summer camps helping high school students explore the medical profession. The summer before coming to Brandeis, I interned in a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While there, I was able to shadow two oncologists who specialized in leukemia. I was able to watch how these doctors interacted with their patients and was even able to interact with a few patients myself. This shadowing reaffirmed my goal of working in the medical profession.

This will be my third shadowing experience but the most substantial because it won’t just be two or three days of shadowing. I am excited to watch the surgeries and see how the doctor interacts with his patients in the clinic. I hope that I am able to watch the surgeries without becoming nauseous. I have never watched a surgery being performed on a patient and am excited to learn about the process of what exactly goes into it. For example, I want to understand the pre-surgery preparations, the actual surgery, and the post-surgery preparations. I wonder if this process will be as it is portrayed in television and the movies.

I also am interested in learning how Dr. Cataldo interacts with other medical professionals in and outside of the operating room. I know that there is a lot of teamwork in medicine and I want to watch this teamwork happening live. I hope to learn about Dr. Cataldo’s journey in becoming a surgeon and the lessons he has learned along the way. I also want to learn what skills are needed in the medical profession.

I believe this shadowing opportunity will show me what it means to be a doctor in the twenty-first century. I also believe it will reaffirm my goal of helping people through the medical profession by one day becoming a doctor myself.  

Matthew, Pre-Departure

Hi! My name is Matthew Massa and I just finished my first year at Brandeis University. When I first became a part of the Pre-Med Program at Brandeis, I was near certain I wanted to be a doctor and most likely a surgeon. That interest has survived my first year, and now I intend to put it to the test. I will be shadowing Dr. Cataldo, a Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. This will help me, in part, determine whether I still want to be a Surgeon and help me understand the specialty. I expect to understand the daily routine of a Colorectal Surgeon and what it takes to be a Surgeon. I expect to understand the patient-staff interaction, and I expect to view and understand (as much as possible) various surgical procedures. Above all, I plan to solidify my interest in the medical field and become more informed on what it means to be a surgeon. I need to decide (the sooner the better) and this will help me make an informed decision.

I am most excited about viewing Dr. Cataldo operating in the OR. I have seen operations online, but I have never seen one in person. I am really looking forward to that, it is going to be so cool! What I really like about it is how different it is from anything I’ve seen before. To see the inner machinery of a person just like me is so strange and so interesting. To see it in person is the only way I can appreciate it fully.

I am most nervous about interacting with Dr. Cataldo and the other Staff and asking questions. Specifically, I’m nervous that I will be too nervous to ask questions. I love asking questions, it is how I learn best, but in some of my classes I get psyched out and don’t ask them as often. I hope to overcome this, and that is the biggest obstacle I need to overcome when I shadow. I’ve read great things online about how welcoming he was, though, and how easy the transition was, from other students. I hope that means I’ll be comfortable asking questions. I am also nervous about how I am going to make connections and get other shadowing opportunities from this. I’m nervous about asking and I need to figure out how to. It’s more of an issue near the end, though. For now, I’m going to focus on the experience itself and what’s in front of me, because that is what most interests me.

My goal is to learn what I expected to above. I expect to be intimidated at first, but to grow to be comfortable and I expect them to be real nice over there. These folks save peoples’ lives I’m sure they are as nice as I hear! I look forward to this experience, and I am more grateful than ever for being given access to it.

Penh – Final Thoughts

This program has truly been a great experience and far exceeded my expectations. Going into the program, I was extremely nervous but Dr. Cataldo and his team immediately put me at ease on the very first day. My expectations for the experience consisted of simply observing the inner workings of the hospital, understanding the complexity of patient-provider interactions and applying some of my academic knowledge to my observations. While spending numerous hours in the clinic and OR, I feel like these goals have been achieved. I have witnessed the importance of teamwork whether it be in more dire situations like in the OR or in a friendly environment such as in the office. Everyone from the medical assistants to nurses, RNs and residents help the appointments go smoothly. 

This experience at Beth Israel has certainly clarified my career interest in becoming a doctor. Not only that but it has opened my eyes to the realm of surgeons which I have learned is extremely demanding. While I had the luxury of leaving the operation room at any time for bathroom breaks or a lunch, my colorectal surgeon pushed forward to finish his surgery at hand before considering any breaks. Although surgery is exciting, I am not sure whether I can handle the demanding schedule and pressure with becoming a surgeon. 

My advice to a student interested in shadowing is to not be afraid to speak out. Firstly, if you are trying to land a shadowing position, it would be beneficial to call the doctor’s office and/or email to ask. While shadowing, ask questions and be engaged. At Beth Israel, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I was actually encouraged to ask questions by them. For those who are interested in shadowing at other institutions, I am sure this advice would also apply. 

I am most proud of getting rid of my shyness and nervousness by the end of the experience. I felt intimidated by the staff at the beginning and was afraid of asking “stupid” questions. Of course, everyone was very welcoming and I eventually felt comfortable at the hospital.

Penh – Midway Point

It has been four weeks since I first started shadowing Dr. Cataldo. I had initially felt nervous and unsure going into my first day but all that has changed. Dr. Cataldo along with the other doctors, nurses and residents have been extremely welcoming. It was comforting to know that rather than expecting me to grasp an understanding of the medical procedures and jargons, the primary focus was simply for me to get a glimpse into the life of a doctor. Dr. Cataldo stresses this and encourages me to ask questions. He also does his best to point out any details that I may have not noticed in my observations such as details regarding the responsibilities of residents. While most of my time is spent in the OR, I have also had the opportunity to follow Dr. Cataldo in the clinic and observed a couple of tumor boards where doctors of different specialties present cases of cancer and discuss. Throughout each setting, the staff remained composed and retained their easygoing personalities. I have grown to feel quite comfortable around the hospital.

Shadowing at this site allows me to come and go as I please depending on my schedule and of course, the doctor’s schedule. This has allowed me to take it easy while having a nice balance of clinical exposure, work and time for myself and friends this summer. The medical field is different from university life. It is very fast paced and much busier. Doctors work constantly even outside the hospital. Much to my surprise, paperwork take up a huge chunk of time and it is normal for doctors wake up early on their days off to complete them. In a sense, it is like a constant state of studying and preparing for college exams.

Throughout all medical decisions, communication is key. It is important to communicate effectively with patients, their families and the healthcare team. I was informed of this key feature going in but I was only aware about communicating the actions taken. For example, it is not uncommon for residents to admit that they do not know how to go about a procedure and ask for assistance or a doctor to ask for advice on how to treat a patient during tumor board. There is nothing wrong with uncertainty but what is wrong is not communicating these uncertainties especially when a patient’s health/life is at risk. Knowing this, I will try not hesitate to ask questions whether it be during shadowing, in the classroom or my future career.

Penh – Pre Departure

The Brandeis summer shadowing program has given me the opportunity to shadow Dr. Cataldo at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I am extremely excited to witness what goes on “behind the scenes” in a hospital. Prior to this, I volunteered at the emergency room at my local hospital where my duties mainly revolved around assisting patients. I witnessed very little patient-provider interactions. Furthermore, my previous hands-on clinical experience was gained through my training as an EMT and an internship working on physical therapy with brain injury survivors. As someone who would like to become a physician in the future, I think it is important to understand what it truly means to be a doctor through shadowing one. I am excited to see the motives behind clinical decisions and observe the human aspect of patient-provider relationships. 

This will be my first exposure to a hospital’s OR and my first time shadowing a doctor. Therefore, I am nervous that I would not be able to meet my own expectations as well as those of the healthcare team. My expectations are pretty straightforward. I want to observe the inner workings of a hospital to understand the complexity of healthcare delivery. Taking what I learned in the classroom regarding biology and healthcare, I hope I can apply some concepts to my observations in the OR. After focusing on translational medicine during my semester abroad, I realized that a career in medicine is not at all glamorous. My goals for learning this summer include networking with Dr. Cataldo, analyzing the complexity of patient-provider interactions and applying my academic knowledge to my observations. Ultimately, I hope that this shadowing experience will allow me to understand what a career in medicine entails and further reinforce my aspiration to become a doctor.