Observer Program

The Observer Program is an opportunity for applicants to shadow and watch clinical care as part of UC San Diego Health's educational mission. Observers witness patient care but do not participate in it. 

Program Details

• This program is only available for prospective observers who are age 18 and up, would like to observe health care operations for 30 days or less at UC San Diego Health, and are currently within the United States.
• The Observer Program will not fulfill the requirements to receive school credits.
• UC San Diego Health affiliates and team members may be considered observers if they are outside the scope of their regular duties. 
• Observers may not participate in, compromise or interfere with patient care in any way. 

How to Apply

• All potential observers must have an Observer Request Form submitted on their behalf to the Observer Program.  
• The Observer Request must come from a representative of the host department, which is the team member or provider you wish to observe. The host department or team member can access the required information on the Observer Program page on Pulse (UCSD employee login required).
• Please locate the department or program you are interested in observing to obtain their contact information on the UC San Diego School of Medicine or UC San Diego Health websites.
• The Observer Program does not facilitate introductions to hosting departments, programs or providers. Observer applicants are required to identify their own UC San Diego Health host.
• The expected turnaround time for processing and approving requests is a minimum of 15 business days.  
• The Observer Program will approve a limited number of requests per month based on operational availability.
• The Observer Program is able to approve one request per observer during any 12-month period.    
• If you need more information after contacting a host department or provider, please email UCSDHObservers@health.ucsd.edu.

For UCSD Students and Staff

UCSD students: For additional experiential opportunities related to health care, please visit Prepare for Professional School.

If you are a UC San Diego Health provider or team member interested in participating or hosting an observer, please review the program requirements on the Observer Program page on Pulse (UCSD employee log-in required).