Can't find any DO's to shadow...really....

[Rcon]

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Its been a month since I submitted my application, thinking I would have enough time to find and shadow a DO. But I've exhausted every connection I had and called every hospital (with in my area).

Most of the time I can't get past the medical staff and when I do get a DO on the line (about 4 times) it was simply a no or another reason with the medical staff not wanting more students. I don't have personal connections with any doctor except an MD I shadowed, who tried helping but has been unsuccessful as well. Same goes with my pre-med advisor and friends. I also went through the advisor program through the aacom website, I got reject by two DOs and never received a reply from others.

So this is my last ditch effort, I don't have access to a car on a regular basis so I can't go far but does anyone know any DOs in the sf bay area, preferbly in the east bay that won't mind me shadowing them? Please help out if you can. PM me some contact info as well... A DO letter is required by my #1 school...

 

[just one]

Try the yellow book for private practice DOs. Don't call, show up and ask in person. Worst comes to worst, make an appointment for a fake illness then ask as a new patient. Be careful with that one though.

 

[DrMom]

Try to shadow DOs affiliated with a med school or ones who are academic attendings. They are most used to having extra people around and are more likely to be willing to help you out.

 

[droogdoc]

Since you are in the Sf Bay Area see if TOURO-CA is affiliated with any hospitals in the vicinity, look at their clinical faculty list, and try contacting all of those DOs. Dont rule out allopathic schools either, as they sometimes have DOs on the clinical faculty as well.

I am surprised the AOA search didnt work out for you. The suggestion for just going through the phone book or an internet search for DO physicians in the area would work well too.

 

[WhatsNext]

I imagine California has a state osteopathic association of some sort. If so, try calling them. My state's osteopathic association maintains a current list of DOs that are willing to allow students to shadow them. They gave me a list of them in my area. They even called ahead for me to the let the doctor know to expect my call. I won't guarantee that your experience will be the same, though.

 

[forrealz]

assuming you are trying to find a DO for a recommendation letter, many schools do accept a letter from MD. There is a list posted somewhere stating which schools do that, check that out.

from personal experience, most DOs in clinic settings are more willing to have people coming in for shadowing. I just did a google search for medical offices in my zipcode, worked out for me.

good luck, I know how frustrating this can get.

 

[Rcon]

I'll try the yellow book, there is a small clinic in my city, I'll try that as well. I'll try showing but I'm afraid it might make me seem like an idiot...but we'll see, don't really have to many options.

And I havn't tried the state osteopathic board either, I'll give that go too. Thanks guys, I have a few things to go of off now. Really...thanks.

 

[Isoprop]

Worst comes to worst, make an appointment for a fake illness then ask as a new patient. Be careful with that one though.

Don't do this.

 

[n618ft]

Try the yellow book for private practice DOs. Don't call, show up and ask in person. Worst comes to worst, make an appointment for a fake illness then ask as a new patient. Be careful with that one though.

Fake illness? Everyone's got SOMETHING. Sniffly nose, an ache somewhere, rampant herpes...

 

[just one]

Don't do this.

Guess my sarcasm was too subtle, even with the warning after.

 

[Isoprop]

Guess my sarcasm was too subtle, even with the warning after.

Actually I'm bad at detected sarcasm.

 

[n618ft]

OP, I posted on here 2 weeks ago about the same issue but I gave my location and someone told me to contact a local DO and sure enough I'm shadowing one now.

 

[Isoprop]

OP, I posted on here 2 weeks ago about the same issue but I gave my location and someone told me to contact a local DO and sure enough I'm shadowing one now.

That's awesome.

 

[n618ft]

That's awesome.

The OP doesn't even give us a chance to help him - he could live next door for all I know.

 

[just one]

The OP doesn't even give us a chance to help him - he could live next door for all I know.

In the original post the OP state SF bay area.

 

[n618ft]

In the original post the OP state SF bay area.

 

[just one]

Nice!

 

[Rcon]

In the original post the OP state SF bay area.

San Francisco Bay Area, specifically the east bay in Fremont, CA. But come monday I'm going to try to make a few calls...

Lol just one 🙂

 

[Neohumanist]

I contacted a DO on a fellowship where I work, and she took out a TON of time for me....and eventually I rounded with her on several occasions....DONT GIVE UP!! But, if you have to apply again...I'd start trying to shadow MUCH EARLIER so that you have time to build a rapport, so that they get to know you as a person and they can speak to your true interest in osteopathic medicine, rather than typing up a really generic letter...most admissions people will be able to see right through crappy letters.

Definitely start with UCSF, or other academic medical establishments...just look through their physician directory with anybody who has a "D.O." behind their name, lol....and send your email, or call them up and leave a message. I'd refrain from paging them though, you may piss them off...