What is Physician Shadowing? "Shadowing" is a term to describe the process of following someone around in an effort to gain first-hand knowledge of that person. Shadowing a physician is no different; it refers to a period of time in which a pre-medical student spends time watching a physician's daily activities in an effort to learn more about the life of a doctor. Physician shadowing programs are also referred to as student externships, physician observerships, physician mentor programs, medical internships, and other similar phrases that describe the process.