What are great questions to ask a D.O. (shadowing tomorrow)

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I'm shadowing a D.O., who specializes in pain medicine/rehabilitation, for a couple hours tomorrow. This is the first time I will have shadowed a doctor, and just would like to know a few good questions specifically for a D.O.

Also, are khakis and a dress shirt (with tie) too much?

Originally Posted by Luelinks

I'm shadowing a D.O., who specializes in pain medicine/rehabilitation, for a couple hours tomorrow. This is the first time I will have shadowed a doctor, and just would like to know a few good questions specifically for a D.O.

Also, are khakis and a dress shirt (with tie) too much?

Kakhis and a dress shirt w/ tie is good.

Some general questions would be how your physician feels about the osteopathic philosophy and if he sees it being an important part of his practice, and why he chose pain medicine.

Be sure to ask questions that you have about his specific practice/specialty as well. Like, if he does a certain procedure, or interacts with a patient a certain way that strikes you as interesting... be sure to mention it. Don't be in a "must ask questions for an LOR" mentality the ENTIRE time... you have a great opportunity to learn from a physician, so remember to be a student and ask questions about anything you observe. If it's interesting to you, you'll find you will be asking tons of questions without even trying!

make sure u ask him about his lifestyle

Originally Posted by Iliketoytles

Kakhis and a dress shirt w/ tie is good.

Some general questions would be how your physician feels about the osteopathic philosophy and if he sees it being an important part of his practice, and why he chose pain medicine.

Be sure to ask questions that you have about his specific practice/specialty as well. Like, if he does a certain procedure, or interacts with a patient a certain way that strikes you as interesting... be sure to mention it. Don't be in a "must ask questions for an LOR" mentality the ENTIRE time... you have a great opportunity to learn from a physician, so remember to be a student and ask questions about anything you observe. If it's interesting to you, you'll find you will be asking tons of questions without even trying!

Thanks! I go in about a few hours over to the place. Kind of nervous.

Also make an effort to learn what he does, but don't talk in front of the patient unless he addresses you directly. But away, ask why he did something and what it accomplishes. Show you are interested in both medicine and what he does specifically. Don't make him feel like you just emailed a bunch and he was the only one that responded.

Originally Posted by FrkyBgStok

Also make an effort to learn what he does, but don't talk in front of the patient unless he addresses you directly. But away, ask why he did something and what it accomplishes. Show you are interested in both medicine and what he does specifically. Don't make him feel like you just emailed a bunch and he was the only one that responded.

I'll definitely remember to ask that. And my success with shadowing this winter break has been due in part to faxing a resume cover letter. 2/2 with that step! 0/1 for e-mailing and 0/3 for calling (offices were closed for holiday).

Im going to watch this tread closely...

Went really well. Loved the D.O. attitude I saw.

Originally Posted by Luelinks

Went really well. Loved the D.O. attitude I saw.

can you elaborate a little?

Only things I learned from a D.O. that I didn't learn previously shadowing an MD:

1) OMM is limited in its use

2) D.O. more willing to touch people

Thats pretty much it.

Originally Posted by Iliketoytles

Kakhis and a dress shirt w/ tie is good.

Some general questions would be how your physician feels about the osteopathic philosophy and if he sees it being an important part of his practice, and why he chose pain medicine.

Be sure to ask questions that you have about his specific practice/specialty as well. Like, if he does a certain procedure, or interacts with a patient a certain way that strikes you as interesting... be sure to mention it. Don't be in a "must ask questions for an LOR" mentality the ENTIRE time... you have a great opportunity to learn from a physician, so remember to be a student and ask questions about anything you observe. If it's interesting to you, you'll find you will be asking tons of questions without even trying!

This. Although the one I shadowed out-right said he just did D.O. because he couldn't do M.D...

Originally Posted by xXIDaShizIXx

This. Although the one I shadowed out-right said he just did D.O. because he couldn't do M.D...

Haha, I wish more people were this honest.

Shadowed a DO and two MDs. Shirt, tie, khakis, and dress shoes are a must. Also, wear a belt so your pants don't fall. Trust me on this one.

A good question to ask: "If both OMM and pharmacotherapy prove to be ineffective, should I treat the patient with fire?"

The answer should be "yes", with a subtle nod, indicating that you are indeed suitable to be a DO, and you will definitely be accepted to med school on your first try.

Originally Posted by WastedTime

can you elaborate a little?

Well he is a rehab specialist who deals with pain and the spine...first there was a lot of hands on testing of the patient (ROM tests mostly, some OMM I believe) and after he was finished diagnosing, he would continue to stress to the patients the benefits of exercise so eloquently put in an effort to motivate the patient to continue treatments and isolation exercises for increased functional movement capacity beyond the clinical setting. It was very going the extra mile. He said he doesn't always use OMM everytime, but that it's a great tool to have when needed.

Also, I refrained from asking any explicit DO vs MD questions so to speak. I wasn't sure how to ask the question about the validity of OMM, but from everything I saw his competency was extremely high. Also, how many hours is recommended before dropping the LOR bomb?

Originally Posted by Luelinks

Well he is a rehab specialist who deals with pain and the spine...first there was a lot of hands on testing of the patient (ROM tests mostly, some OMM I believe) and after he was finished diagnosing, he would continue to stress to the patients the benefits of exercise so eloquently put in an effort to motivate the patient to continue treatments and isolation exercises for increased functional movement capacity beyond the clinical setting. It was very going the extra mile. He said he doesn't always use OMM everytime, but that it's a great tool to have when needed.

Also, I refrained from asking any explicit DO vs MD questions so to speak. I wasn't sure how to ask the question about the validity of OMM, but from everything I saw his competency was extremely high. Also, how many hours is recommended before dropping the LOR bomb?

more than just from one visit! There is no set amount of hours, it is just when you feel comfortable enough to ask. As in, you have spent a good bit of time with the doc and he knows you well enough to write a letter for you

Originally Posted by MedicineMike

more than just from one visit! There is no set amount of hours, it is just when you feel comfortable enough to ask. As in, you have spent a good bit of time with the doc and he knows you well enough to write a letter for you

+1 to this.

It's not the number of hours... it's how well he knows you and you know him that matter. Sometimes it takes a few days, sometimes just a couple hours. Just feel it out... he probably knows it's coming.

You

Originally Posted by DrWily

Only things I learned from a D.O. that I didn't learn previously shadowing an MD:

1) OMM is limited in its use

2) D.O. more willing to touch people

Thats pretty much it.

You shadowed the wrong DO then. Too many osteopathic students just float their way through their OMT classes and it's unfortunate.

I think it is important to shadow a DO, but more importantly I would try to find a DO that uses OMT on a regular basis. It will give you more of an understanding of the wide range of use that osteopathic treatments have.

I don't mean to hijack the thread with a dumb question, but since we're on the topic of OMM...

To current med students: Do you find that OMM helps you gain a better understanding and grasp of anatomy? I'd imagine the instructions during OMM require a solid foundation of the names of muscles, bones, etc. If nothing else, I would think it would help cement anatomy in our minds quite well.

Just trying to stay positive about it! I'm kinda looking forward to at least seeing what it's all about.

Originally Posted by Iliketoytles

I don't mean to hijack the thread with a dumb question, but since we're on the topic of OMM...

To current med students: Do you find that OMM helps you gain a better understanding and grasp of anatomy? I'd imagine the instructions during OMM require a solid foundation of the names of muscles, bones, etc. If nothing else, I would think it would help cement anatomy in our minds quite well.

Just trying to stay positive about it! I'm kinda looking forward to at least seeing what it's all about.

Yes definitely...on a basic level. It def helps you visualize anatomy more easily. That being said, I absolutely despise OMM and think 75% of it is complete BS and will never use it again after graduation. Sad but true.

Originally Posted by Iliketoytles

I don't mean to hijack the thread with a dumb question, but since we're on the topic of OMM...

To current med students: Do you find that OMM helps you gain a better understanding and grasp of anatomy? I'd imagine the instructions during OMM require a solid foundation of the names of muscles, bones, etc. If nothing else, I would think it would help cement anatomy in our minds quite well.

Just trying to stay positive about it! I'm kinda looking forward to at least seeing what it's all about.

Absolutely. OMM is basically anatomy with some other stuff thrown in. To even begin to understand OMM, you must have a good foundation of Anatomy.

I like OMM, it's my funnest class. I suck at it though lol

Originally Posted by willen101383

Yes definitely...on a basic level. It def helps you visualize anatomy more easily. That being said, I absolutely despise OMM and think 75% of it is complete BS and will never use it again after graduation. Sad but true.

And I agree and disagree . Definitely helps with anatomy. And while I hate having to study for OMM when I have other subjects that are a larger part of my grade, overall I enjoy learning OMT. I've used it on friends and family, and i've had it done on me many times, and I have seen it be effective (although NOT always). An important aspect of OMT to understand is that OMT is not necessarily a substitute to pharm or a cure, but it can be an adjunctive therapy. If you are talking about the neuromuscular system in general, then yes, it is possible to alleviate your symptoms without other therapies. I had the doctors work on some low pain pain I was having, some acid reflux pain I was having, and I was fixed without using any meds. My boyfriend had a really bad stiff neck for about 2 weeks and the other day he could hardly flex, so I did some soft tissue and ME for two days and the pain went away and the range of motion improved.

I will use it after graduation, but understand that it's use outside of an OMM speciality is limited.