DO wants me to shadow him 5 days a week

[mohi]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Okay, I find SDN to be very useful and was hopeing I could get some feedback for my question.
I have been looking for a DO to shadow and got in contact with one about an hour from where I live. In his first email to me he gave me a sort of schedule, shadowing him from about 7:30 am to 5 pm when they close, 5 days a week. I thought this a bit odd. He indicated I could have friday afternoons off. He also said he would give me some homework. At first even though this seemed a bit strange I was excited for the oppurtunity. But he does not seemed pleased with the prospect of me leaving early, and I feel like has not really taken into consideration that I may actually have a job or classes! (things outside of shadowing 40 hrs a week!)
I just finished my post-bac, so am currently working full-time and also looking for new jobs and applying to schools.
I've begun to think I should try to find someone else, because his subsequent emails have been no more than a few words, and dare I say...strange.
I am asking this question because I really need to find someone to shadow and I'm wondering if I should just do whatever it takes?
Thank you in advance for ur help!

 

[jw11]

Okay, I find SDN to be very useful and was hopeing I could get some feedback for my question.
I have been looking for a DO to shadow and got in contact with one about an hour from where I live. In his first email to me he gave me a sort of schedule, shadowing him from about 7:30 am to 5 pm when they close, 5 days a week. I thought this a bit odd. He indicated I could have friday afternoons off. He also said he would give me some homework. At first even though this seemed a bit strange I was excited for the oppurtunity. But he does not seemed pleased with the prospect of me leaving early, and I feel like has not really taken into consideration that I may actually have a job or classes! (things outside of shadowing 40 hrs a week!)
I just finished my post-bac, so am currently working full-time and also looking for new jobs and applying to schools.
I've begun to think I should try to find someone else, because his subsequent emails have been no more than a few words, and dare I say...strange.
I am asking this question because I really need to find someone to shadow and I'm wondering if I should just do whatever it takes?
Thank you in advance for ur help!

It sounds like he thinks you're a medical student trying to do a rotation.

 

[mohi]

It sounds like he thinks you're a medical student trying to do a rotation.

I guess thats a possibility, but I indicated that I am an pre-med who is interested in learning more about Osteopathic medicine. But I guess there no harm reiterating.
Thanks!

 

[ChiDO]

I guess thats a possibility, but I indicated that I am an pre-med who is interested in learning more about Osteopathic medicine. But I guess there no harm reiterating.
Thanks!

Just tell him you have a job or whatever and if you could shadow him on Mon/Wed from 8-3...or something.

 

[DocHomer]

Run...run for your life! There are other docs out there. This is just unreasonable.

 

[Exalya]

I've had a lot of doctors who thought I was a medical student, despite me telling them over and over that I am pre-medical and have not had any med school classes yet. Like others here, I think that he is probably mistaking you for a med student.

 

[Jumpman04]

Okay, I find SDN to be very useful and was hopeing I could get some feedback for my question.
I have been looking for a DO to shadow and got in contact with one about an hour from where I live. In his first email to me he gave me a sort of schedule, shadowing him from about 7:30 am to 5 pm when they close, 5 days a week. I thought this a bit odd. He indicated I could have friday afternoons off. He also said he would give me some homework. At first even though this seemed a bit strange I was excited for the oppurtunity. But he does not seemed pleased with the prospect of me leaving early, and I feel like has not really taken into consideration that I may actually have a job or classes! (things outside of shadowing 40 hrs a week!)
I just finished my post-bac, so am currently working full-time and also looking for new jobs and applying to schools.
I've begun to think I should try to find someone else, because his subsequent emails have been no more than a few words, and dare I say...strange.
I am asking this question because I really need to find someone to shadow and I'm wondering if I should just do whatever it takes?
Thank you in advance for ur help!

Haha so this is what you meant by creepy when you responded to my post

Looks like a great opportunity (and he seems like the kind of doctor that would give an amazing recommendation) but that time commitment...kinda ridiculous

 

[mohi]

Run...run for your life! There are other docs out there. This is just unreasonable.

haha, I was thinking this too. I would try and explain to him if he misunderstood me, but his emails have not been very encouraging.
Besides, I want to eventually get a letter from him, and as displeased as he sounds, I dont kniw if thats a good idea.
Thanks DocHomer and everyone for your responses!

 

[mohi]

Haha so this is what you meant by creepy when you responded to my post

Looks like a great opportunity (and he seems like the kind of doctor that would give an amazing recommendation) but that time commitment...kinda ridiculous

haha yes!
You really think he'd write me a good recommendation? Im scared he'll make me shadow him forever before writing one. He said something about getting lonely at his practice too in his email. I've been trying to ignore all the excess info in his email...but I cant seem to shrug it off. Im very skeptical.

 

[HoboCommander]

haha yes!
You really think he'd write me a good recommendation? Im scared he'll make me shadow him forever before writing one. He said something about getting lonely at his practice too in his email. I've been trying to ignore all the excess info in his email...but I cant seem to shrug it off. Im very skeptical.

Go for it! You'd get a great recommendation for sure! You'll be very important student for him, as he is lonely.

 

[mohi]

Go for it! You'd get a great recommendation for sure! You'll be very important student for him, as he is lonely.

very funny, I think id rather not. Just my luck that this is the one doctor that responds.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

ask questions, observe, be professional, and have fun!

 

[podboy]

Go for it! You'd get a great recommendation for sure! You'll be very important student for him, as he is lonely.

agreed. sounds like a bit of a fruitcake to me.

 

[Scorcher31]

I also agree that it sound much more like a rotation. As a DO student, I shadowed my family doctor, who happened to be an MD. Althought it would probably be better for you to shadow a DO (only for the sake of your application), no program had any problems with me working with and MD. Just talk about wanting to be a DO in your personal statement.

I shadowed my family doctor for two summers while i was in college on summer break. I shadowed with the doctor only every Thursday from 7-5 (office hours). I'm from a rural area and there are no other residents or students in the area so he was happy to accept. I also diddn't want to crowd the guy as he wasn't used to students. I figured once a week every week in the summer for 2 summers gave him an extended time so he felt like he know me and got me well over 100+. There is no point in you getting 500 or 1000 hours of shadowing at your level right now.

I mean no disrespect to the doctor that offered you the opportunity, but I have to agree if you value your time at all before starting medical school which is quite intense... run. In the future, I would suggest sending out a mail or or phone call to docs specifically telling them you are not a med student yet, that you want to "shadow them" one or two days a week. More may respond knowing you'll be there one day to change the pace, but that they won't have to host you every day of the week for the next few months.

 

[mohi]

.