Asking to shadow a DO

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m17arn

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I've found the phone number of a DO I'm hoping to shadow. I was planning to call and ask if I can shadow him a few hours a week?

Does this sound OK? Or should I just ask for a one-time thing? I am applying in June so I would hopefully like a letter from them...

I was thinking about saying I'm an undergrad, just want to learn what it's like, etc.?

Does this sound ok?

Thanks!!!!

m17arn
 
m17arn said:
I've found the phone number of a DO I'm hoping to shadow. I was planning to call and ask if I can shadow him a few hours a week?

Does this sound OK? Or should I just ask for a one-time thing? I am applying in June so I would hopefully like a letter from them...

I was thinking about saying I'm an undergrad, just want to learn what it's like, etc.?

Does this sound ok?

Thanks!!!!

m17arn
Click to expand...

Hi, Dr. DO. Are you available to shadow?
 
m17arn said:
So don't say my name or why I'm interested or suggest a time... 🙄
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Keep it brief. I'd get his blessing before you start bringing up times.

"Hi, my name is Cleatus, and I'm interested in shadowing you in your practice. Would you be available to do so?"
 
m17arn said:
So don't say my name or why I'm interested or suggest a time... 🙄
Click to expand...

No, actually you don't. None of that is relevant unless he/she says yes.

This conversation goes one of a few ways.

You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Are you available to shadow?
Doctor: No, goodbye.

----------

You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Are you available to shadow?
Doctor: Talk to my office manager, goodbye.
Office Manager: Hello
You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Is doctor available to shadow?
Office Manager: No, goodbye.

------------

You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Are you available to shadow?
Doctor: Talk to my office manager, goodbye.
Office Manager: Hello
You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Is doctor available to shadow?
Office Manager: What are you looking to gain from this experience?
You: Blah blah blah
Office Manager: Sorry, we can't let pre-meds shadow due to HIPAA, goodbye.

------------

You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Are you available to shadow?
Doctor: Talk to my office manager, goodbye.
Office Manager: Hello
You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Is doctor available to shadow?
Office Manager: What are you looking to gain from this experience?
You: Blah blah blah
Office Manager: I'll have to talk to doctor. I'll get back to you, goodbye.

--------------


You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Are you available to shadow?
Doctor: Talk to my office manager, goodbye.
Office Manager: Hello
You: Hi I'm a pre-med at X university looking for more exposure to the profession. Is doctor available to shadow?
Office Manager: What are you looking to gain from this experience?
You: Blah blah blah
Office Manager: When are you available?
You: Blah blah blah
Office Manager: Doctor is on vacation during that time, goodbye.
 
Mehd School said:
Keep it brief. I'd get his blessing before you start bringing up times.

"Hi, my name is Cleatus, and I'm interested in shadowing you in your practice. Would you be available to do so?"
Click to expand...

This. That's how I did it and his secretary called me back to set a time for me to come in and meet him. We chatted for about 20 minutes and he invited me to begin shadowing him.
 
Also, don't you dare bring up the idea of a LOR before you start shadowing.
 
Punch the office manager in her non-functioning uterus, jump the counter, and immediately start prepping vaccinations. They love that.


Alternatively, call them.
But, definitely swing by to assault the office nazi whenever you get free time.
 
Some days I think I want to be a doctor just so I can fire my office nazi.
And start a national shadow-for-a-fee service just to be evil.
 
I have always preferred to ask for any requests (shadowing, LORs, opportunity to volunteer, etc) in person instead of via email or phone call. From my experience, its much harder for someone to deny your request in person than it is to do in a phone call.
 
Thanks for the replies. Few quick questions though:
1) I assume I'll be talking to the secretary when I call, is the general procedure the same?
2) If they ask when I'm available, should I suggest something weekly or a one-time thing?
3) How long should one shadow before inquiring about a LOR?

Thanks!
 
Where do people find these docs that are so closed off to being shadowed? I've never came across one that declined me for any reason less than "I have med students presently, sorry" and the odd clashing schedule. Unlucky to anyone getting shot down..
 
as1212559 said:
Where do people find these docs that are so closed off to being shadowed? I've never came across one that declined me for any reason less than "I have med students presently, sorry" and the odd clashing schedule. Unlucky to anyone getting shot down..
Click to expand...

I, at one point in time, called every DO withing a ten mile radius. Found one through family instead.
 
DocRooster said:
Punch the office manager in her non-functioning uterus, jump the counter, and immediately start prepping vaccinations. They love that.


Alternatively, call them.
But, definitely swing by to assault the office nazi whenever you get free time.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure thats what you have to do to get the doctor to call you back. -_-
 
m17arn said:
Thanks for the replies. Few quick questions though:
1) I assume I'll be talking to the secretary when I call, is the general procedure the same?
2) If they ask when I'm available, should I suggest something weekly or a one-time thing?
3) How long should one shadow before inquiring about a LOR?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Ask for the LOR on your last day.
 
Bumping, hoping for some answers to 1-3. Thanks!
 
m17arn said:
Thanks for the replies. Few quick questions though:
1) I assume I'll be talking to the secretary when I call, is the general procedure the same?
2) If they ask when I'm available, should I suggest something weekly or a one-time thing?
3) How long should one shadow before inquiring about a LOR?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

m17arn said:
Bumping, hoping for some answers to 1-3. Thanks!
Click to expand...

1. Yes, you ask permission first.
2. You tell them you are available whenever doctor is available.
3. Just ask them on your last day. The DO LOR I have is a result of shadowing for 3 half days. I've been told at interviews that she wrote a very good LOR.
 
Wait. Why not go in wearing a tie with a cover letter and resume? It's much more professional and mature than cold calling randoms.
 
NontradCA said:
Wait. Why not go in wearing a tie with a cover letter and resume? It's much more professional and mature than cold calling randoms.
Click to expand...

Because nobody is going to read your cover letter/resume when deciding if they want to let you shadow. It's a waste of their time and it's also a waste of yours to travel to every physician's office when a simple phone call would suffice.

In my experience, hospitals/physician offices are either open to shadowing or they arent. If they are open to shadowing, they'll bring you in for a quick chat (interview) to see if they can stomach having you around for a few days. Your credentials are of very little value to them and they just want to be sure you won't do anything stupid in front of the patients.

If they aren't open to shadowing, your GPA/MCAT/research/volunteering/work experience will not change their mind.
 
NontradCA said:
Wait. Why not go in wearing a tie with a cover letter and resume? It's much more professional and mature than cold calling randoms.
Click to expand...

to SHADOW a doc? no.

that's going overboard.
 
Typically the physician will tell you what to wear. I showed up in business casual clothing when I first met with my DO, and later in that meeting, she told me to get a pair of scrubs to wear while I shadowed her.

As for whether or not to write a cover letter or a resume, I think that depends on the office. I called my DO's office and then sent a cover letter and an resume to let them know who I was and what I wanted to do. Anyways, if the office manager asks for one, you should bring one.
 
ValentineLissar said:
As for whether or not to write a cover letter or a resume, I think that depends on the office. I called my DO's office and then sent a cover letter and an resume to let them know who I was and what I wanted to do. Anyways, if the office manager asks for one, you should bring one.
Click to expand...

wow, i must've shadowed some really chill docs (shadowed 9 of them).

they would've laughed in my face if i brought them my resume and a cover letter. don't get me wrong, i don't think it's bad to show up with the stuff, i just don't think it's necessary by any means.
 
The DO I shadowed wanted to see them before I could go to her office. *shrugs*
 
Mbeas said:
wow, i must've shadowed some really chill docs (shadowed 9 of them).

they would've laughed in my face if i brought them my resume and a cover letter. don't get me wrong, i don't think it's bad to show up with the stuff, i just don't think it's necessary by any means.
Click to expand...

Well I'm a respectable adult. Oh well, guess were different 👍
 
NontradCA said:
Well I'm a respectable adult. Oh well, guess were different 👍
Click to expand...

Understanding that volunteer organizations often have much more stringent policies than docs that let you shadow would lead you to the (correct) conclusion that a cover letter + resume/CV is unnecessary unless requested.

Based on your username I'm guessing you're an older gentleman/woman. Back in your day it might have been common practice to find a job by walking into places, handing them your resume, and asking if they had any openings. I mean no disrespect, but things are a bit different in the current time. Times have changed and adjusting to those changes doesn't make us less "respectable adult"s than you.
 
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MedPR said:
Understanding that volunteer organizations are often have much more stringent policies than docs that let you shadow would lead you to the (correct) conclusion that a cover letter + resume/CV is unnecessary unless requested.

Based on your username I'm guessing you're an older gentleman/woman. Back in your day it might have been common practice to find a job by walking into places, handing them your resume, and asking if they had any openings. I mean no disrespect, but things are a bit different in the current time. Times have changed and adjusting to those changes doesn't make us less "respectable adult"s than you.
Click to expand...

First of all I'm only 27. Jobs have always been about who you know, but when it comes to meeting strangers for the first time it's all about professionalism. It goes a long way. That has nothing to do with age, it's common sense.
 
I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about what you are wearing and what you brought to shadow. I think good sense dictates that you show up in a business casual/professional attire and not a t-shirt, ripped jeans, and flip-flops. Also, even if you have emailed them for permission and are meeting the physician for the first time, it's smart to bring a cover letter and a resume in case the office manager didn't pass along all of your information to the DO. Plus, you don't want to leave a bad impression if the physician does ask to see a resume or curriculum vitae.

I shadowed at two different places: one at a major hospital's department, which required me to wear business professional attire and the other was at a private office, where the DO wanted me to wear scrubs.
 
NontradCA said:
First of all I'm only 27. Jobs have always been about who you know, but when it comes to meeting strangers for the first time it's all about professionalism. It goes a long way. That has nothing to do with age, it's common sense.
Click to expand...

Well, the thing about common sense is it isn't common. Certainly have a resume/CV on hand if they do ask for one, but it is completely unnecessary to visit every office that you are requesting to shadow at.
 
ValentineLissar said:
I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about what you are wearing and what you brought to shadow. I think good sense dictates that you show up in a business casual/professional attire and not a t-shirt, ripped jeans, and flip-flops. Also, even if you have emailed them for permission and are meeting the physician for the first time, it's smart to bring a cover letter and a resume in case the office manager didn't pass along all of your information to the DO. Plus, you don't want to leave a bad impression if the physician does ask to see a resume or curriculum vitae.

I shadowed at two different places: one at a major hospital's department, which required me to wear business professional attire and the other was at a private office, where the DO wanted me to wear scrubs.
Click to expand...

This is different. Obviously, when you shadow, you should be dressed professionally. The point of conflict is what you should do/wear when you ASK them to shadow. It seems as if some people are arguing that its less than professional calling offices as opposed to showing up at their office in your interview attire with your résumé and portfolio.
 
MedPR said:
Well, the thing about common sense is it isn't common. Certainly have a resume/CV on hand if they do ask for one, but it is completely unnecessary to visit every office that you are requesting to shadow at.
Click to expand...

Sure but you're much more likely to get a yes if you visit. Maybe not that Mbeas guy, he gets laughed at apparently.
 
Mbeas said:
Lol right cuz that's what I said
Click to expand...

You wrote that you would have been laughed at by your docs if you showed up like that. Either this happens to you a lot because you are a pushover or you were being sarcastic. Regardless of which one it is, there's no reason to knock a good first impression.
 
Mbeas said:
This is different. Obviously, when you shadow, you should be dressed professionally. The point of conflict is what you should do/wear when you ASK them to shadow. It seems as if some people are arguing that its less than professional calling offices as opposed to showing up at their office in your interview attire with your résumé and portfolio.
Click to expand...


Oh, okay. I misread what everyone was writing earlier.

I do agree that it's better to call ahead instead of showing up to people's offices. Physicians and the office is probably busy, and the office manager probably won't give you much time. They probably will take your information and tell you to call back in a couple of days because they can't just give your information to the DO because they're busy with patients. Calling is less stressful for you and you get the same result because if the office manager does want to see your credentials you can just email a copy of the CV and cover letter.
 
MedPR said:
Data to support your claim?



Sometimes it's necessary.
Click to expand...
This is something else that's common sense. I'm not gonna break such a trivial thing down any longer. Agree to disagree.
 
NontradCA said:
This is something else that's common sense. I'm not gonna break such a trivial thing down any longer. Agree to disagree.
Click to expand...


I fail to see how it's common sense that showing up and talking to an office assistant face to face yields more success than talking to them on the phone.
 
MedPR said:
I fail to see how it's common sense that showing up and talking to an office assistant face to face yields more success than talking to them on the phone.
Click to expand...

I dunno what to say then...I'm sorry?
 
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