Advise on what to ask of a doctor? Shadowing, Recommendation Letter, ect.

[iluvmusik]

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So, I began my semester today which is the semester that will be the end of my sophmore year. One of my new teachers happens to be a doctor. And the moment I found out, I immediately asked about shadowing him on the job. Unfortunately, he's a chiropractor and that's not exactly the field I wanna go into. BUT, he says that he is good friends with a local manager of doctors in the area. His friend hires doctors all throughout the state of Illinois (can't remember the exact job title). But he has stated that he can speak to him for me and he'll be happy to provide me with anything that I need for med school admission.

Now, I'm aware that I need to shadow a doctor. My question is, how many hours is recommended?
Also, is there anything else I should ask from him? Thanks to anyone that helps.

 

[Evergrey]

My advice -- shadow a generalist (either Internal Medicine, Family Practice, or Emergency Medicine... yeah I just said EM was a generalist, don't flame me because I love EM but it's true), as well as a specialist in your field of choice (orthopaedics, or cardiology, whatever. Avoid OB/GYN, Urology, and Psychiatry for obvious reasons). Shadow them for at least a full day, and if they are cool they may offer you to shadow for longer. Try to get ~50 or more hours of shadowing before application. Plus, shadowing can be a really awesome experience if you get a doc who likes teaching.

Also as a rule of thumb, it's better to shadow/volunteer in a teaching hospital, or a county hospital, rather than a private hospital. They are more open to people who are still learning.

I would not shadow the chiropractor, personally.

 

[iluvmusik]

Thanks for the info. I'm not planning on shadowing the chiropractor though. He said he can get me in the position to shadow another doctor in my field instead.

 

[bigbad]

Thanks for the info. I'm not planning on shadowing the chiropractor though. He said he can get me in the position to shadow another doctor in my field instead.

From what I hear on SDN, chiropractors are the crack dealers of the medical community. You're better off shadowing a witch doctor.

In the off chance you're not trolling, what exactly does your professor teach?

 

[iluvmusik]

From what I hear on SDN, chiropractors are the crack dealers of the medical community. You're better off shadowing a witch doctor.

In the off chance you're not trolling, what exactly does your professor teach?

I'm guessing you didn't read my original post in its entirety?
I made it clear that I won't be shadowing a chiropractor.
I have no idea what trolling is, but if you're inferring that I am not serious and trying to waste people's time then you're 100% incorrect.
He teaches Fundamentals of Nutrition (or BIO 112).

 

[kaylak05]

I'm guessing you didn't read my original post in its entirety?
I made it clear that I won't be shadowing a chiropractor.
I have no idea what trolling is, but if you're inferring that I am not serious and trying to waste people's time then you're 100% incorrect.
He teaches Fundamentals of Nutrition (or BIO 112).

Don't you love it when people get lippy with you when you don't deserve it? Frustrating. I hope your professor follows through for you. I'm still working on shadowing an MD.

 

[Evergrey]

Thanks for the info. I'm not planning on shadowing the chiropractor though. He said he can get me in the position to shadow another doctor in my field instead.

I know, I was saying maybe he can help you find a generalist and a specialist to shadow. The last part was just in case you were considering it 😛

 

[nycfuture2013]

I'm not trying to be offensive right now- but are chiropractors MDs or DOs? I always thought that was a separate degree...

 

[jl9999]

I'm not trying to be offensive right now- but are chiropractors MDs or DOs? I always thought that was a separate degree...

They're neither. They're "DC", or Doctor of Chiropractic. They go to a completely separate school. A friend of mine is a chiropractor, he loves it.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Lo and behold, the powers of SDN group-think working for good instead of evil. SDN WIN.

From what I hear on SDN, chiropractors are the crack dealers of the medical community. You're better off shadowing a witch doctor.

 

[bigbad]

Lo and behold, the powers of SDN group-think working for good instead of evil. SDN WIN.

Lol, juss sayin'