Difficulty of Job Shadowing

[rayeray]

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Hi Guys,

Unfortunately, where i live (Canada), I have to cross the border in order to job shadow a DO Doctor.

I dont really know how many visits i can go for. Do you think it is okay to ask for a LOR during the job shadow, considering it'll the first time going (and maybe the last time. Assuming Job shadow for 6 hours)?

 

[Doctor or bust]

6 hours may be seen as very few hours as at least 40 to 50 is common place for shadowing. You could ask but ask yourself this. If you were in the physician's shoes, how strong of a LOR do you think you could write for someone you have only been around for 6 hours or less? The worst they could say is no, but how good of a letter it would be is up for debate. I'd seek more hours if it is possible, which honestly, it can be very difficult finding those who will let you but it is possible. Ask the person you are about to shadow if they know of anyone that is student friendly.

 

[austintr]

Hi Guys,

Unfortunately, where i live (Canada), I have to cross the border in order to job shadow a DO Doctor.

I dont really know how many visits i can go for. Do you think it is okay to ask for a LOR during the job shadow, considering it'll the first time going (and maybe the last time. Assuming Job shadow for 6 hours)?

I would check w/ MSUCOM and see if they can point you in the direction of some alumni or physicians that work with their students. It can be a bit difficult shadowing a doc that has residents/med students in clinic, but they are usually pretty receptive to writing letters for students that shadow. I would also advise being as flexible with your schedule as possible when setting up times and be upfront and ask the doc via email/phone etc if they would be willing to write a recommendation should you merit one based on your interactions with them. Good luck!

 

[Lauren08]

Same here. In my country, no one can shadow a doctor except medical students. And it's not very realistic to travel thousands of miles to United States to shadow.
Maybe I should just give up and apply to Australian schools.

 

[rayeray]

6 hours may be seen as very few hours as at least 40 to 50 is common place for shadowing. You could ask but ask yourself this. If you were in the physician's shoes, how strong of a LOR do you think you could write for someone you have only been around for 6 hours or less? The worst they could say is no, but how good of a letter it would be is up for debate. I'd seek more hours if it is possible, which honestly, it can be very difficult finding those who will let you but it is possible. Ask the person you are about to shadow if they know of anyone that is student friendly.

Thats true. I dont know what to do anymore. I have called all the DO physicians that i found around Toronto (only 2) and they are busy. I have sent around 2-3 emails to each Canadian Osteopathic Medical Student Association and the Canadian Osteopathic Associations, no replies since November. I even called up the Physician directory of Ontario and asked them for doctors with a DO degree.

I would check w/ MSUCOM and see if they can point you in the direction of some alumni or physicians that work with their students. It can be a bit difficult shadowing a doc that has residents/med students in clinic, but they are usually pretty receptive to writing letters for students that shadow. I would also advise being as flexible with your schedule as possible when setting up times and be upfront and ask the doc via email/phone etc if they would be willing to write a recommendation should you merit one based on your interactions with them. Good luck!

I will contact MSUCOM and other schools as it is my last option.

Worse comes to worse i will airbnb my spring break in buffalo for the week.

 

[Grey Storm]

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