Clinical LOR questions

[Jony770]

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Howdy folks,

I'm in the midst of choosing whom I ask for my LOR's, and I have two clinical options that I'd like some insight on. Last year I shadowed a family practice/general medicine PA at a local clinic twice a week for a few weeks, totaling around 60 hours of shadowing. The PA worked in the same capacity as the MD's at the clinic and was one of the top providers. He got to know me very well and I had an amazing experience with him. On the other hand, I shadowed a PMR MD at the University of Washington Hospital for about 25 hours in late November. It was great, but I don't feel like I got to know the Doc as well as the PA, and I think the PA could write a more personal letter. My question is whether or not the fact that he is perceived as a mid-level will hurt me?

Thanks

 

[sullen-burger]

Just my take on this and anyone can correct me if I'm wrong but,


You're allowed a personal LoR- which the PA could fulfill if you feel they could write really well about you.

Too bad the other MD didn't get to know you well, but I wouldn't risk a poor letter. because that could only hurt, big league.

Other LoR should be filled by professors, especially in sciences, and hopefully you have those already.

Off topic but, are you counting your PA shadowing as "physician shadowing"?

 

[Jony770]

I'm not really categorizing my experience as anything other than clinical; we had a rep from a local med school adcom committee give a presentation where he said lots of schools don't care as much about physician shadowing as much as much as general clinical experience which encompasses all patient-provider interactions. Follow up research has seemed to indicate the same thing. Gonnif, if the PA were to provide specific details or evidence about my experience to highlight my capabilities, do you feel that that would make for a strong letter or would it just be more fluff?

 

[flip_08]

As gonnif said shadowing letters will have little impact. Shadowing is passive, you're watching, not doing. It's better to request a letter from someone who has seen you at work and can attest to your positive qualities.

 

[Jony770]

Flip,

I really appreciate your response. I'm currently working as an intern at a local hospital where I work along side nurses regularly. They often see me working and know me well, and can attest to my effort in a patient care setting. Is this something that could make for an impactful LOR?

 

[Jony770]

As gonnif said shadowing letters will have little impact. Shadowing is passive, you're watching, not doing. It's better to request a letter from someone who has seen you at work and can attest to your positive qualities.

Flip,

I really appreciate your response. I'm currently working as an intern at a local hospital where I work along side nurses regularly. They often see me working and know me well, and can attest to my effort in a patient care setting. Is this something that could make for an impactful LOR?