eShadowing for a DO LOR?

[RespectTheChemistry]

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I was unable to apply this cycle for want of a DO LOR.

I didn't think to ask for one when I did my in-person shadowing in 2018 or so because at that point I was "career shopping" and was unaware of the need for a physician LOR for DO schools. I thought their letter requirements were the same for MD schools. I was very wrong!

No hospitals or clinics in my area are offering shadowing because of COVID.

I have a clinical job in which I do not work directly with physicians. I don't think I've ever seen a physician down here. (I'm a PRN phlebotomist - planning to go PT or FT upon finishing classes). The free clinic in town didn't have a use for me when I offered to volunteer because they have RNs who do their blood draws.

My friend suggested e-shadowing to get that physician LOR I am starting to get desperate for.

I am also hesitant to email and ask the physician I shadowed the most in 2018 for a LOR because I highly, highly doubt she remembers me.

Thoughts?

Other ideas?

 

[drstranger]

If no one can let you shadow then it is what it is. I do not think eshadowing is useful but it is better than nothing, and I think with some shadowing in your past you will be fine. The last 1.5 years have been unlike anything we have ever seen before. I would ask DO schools that are deadset on a DO LOR if due to the pandemic they would be okay with an MD letter, most will be fine with that as long as you know what "being a DO is about".

 

[RespectTheChemistry]

If no one can let you shadow then it is what it is. I do not think eshadowing is useful but it is better than nothing, and I think with some shadowing in your past you will be fine. The last 1.5 years have been unlike anything we have ever seen before. I would ask DO schools that are deadset on a DO LOR if due to the pandemic they would be okay with an MD letter, most will be fine with that as long as you know what "being a DO is about".

Thank you for your response.

To clarify, my problem is accessing a physician LOR at all, either MD or DO.

 

[Doc_Ock]

The 2018 physician probably wouldn't mind you writing your own (most people do). Worth asking.

 

[RespectTheChemistry]

The 2018 physician probably wouldn't mind you writing your own (most people do). Worth asking.

Hmmm...Certainly worth asking her.

This isn't something I would have thought of on my own. Thank you. 🙂