Help! Can't Find a D.O. to shadow!

[malamed]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed, but I couldn't find any info on recent threads. I live in NC where the first D.O. program just matriculated in Aug. Needless to say, finding D.O. physicians(or even someone who knows what one is) has been difficult. I used several search engines(including AOA) and was able to dig up a list of about 10 within 15 miles of me.. I have called about 7 and NONE are "currently offering any shadowing opportunities." I KNOW its not specifically required for several schools, but it is "strongly recommended" for my schools of choice..which basically means..you better have that D.O. LOR.. What do I doooo? I work at a docs office, so I have plenty of shadowing/references for MD, PA, and even an NP, but my passion is OM. What are my options? Anyone?

 

[medickdb]

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed, but I couldn't find any info on recent threads. I live in NC where the first D.O. program just matriculated in Aug. Needless to say, finding D.O. physicians(or even someone who knows what one is) has been difficult. I used several search engines(including AOA) and was able to dig up a list of about 10 within 15 miles of me.. I have called about 7 and NONE are "currently offering any shadowing opportunities." I KNOW its not specifically required for several schools, but it is "strongly recommended" for my schools of choice..which basically means..you better have that D.O. LOR.. What do I doooo? I work at a docs office, so I have plenty of shadowing/references for MD, PA, and even an NP, but my passion is OM. What are my options? Anyone?

How far are you from CUSOM, VCOM-CC, and/or WVSOM, etc.? Perhaps a DO affiliated with one of those schools will allow you to shadow him or her.

 

[deleted480308]

call dr. brian kessler at CUSOM....he is the one that coordinates clerkships for the school. He will know which DOs are more willing to deal with students because he actually schedules them

 

[edgerock24]

How far are you from CUSOM, VCOM-CC, and/or WVSOM, etc.? Perhaps a DO affiliated with one of those schools will allow you to shadow him or her.

Yeah, maybe even try emailing an admissions member at these schools, showing your interest and seeing if they work with any DO's that regularly allow prospective med students to shadow them.

 

[WalSlave]

Only a couple of schools require a DO letter over an MD letter, so I honestly wouldn't stress too much over it - I believe LECOM, LUCOM, VCOM, and WVSOM are the only ones that require DO over MD. And I've heard that VCOM and Liberty will allow you to interview with a DO and acquire your letter the day you interview, so something worth looking into. But yeah, unless one of those schools is somewhere you are dying to go, don't spend your energy stressing over it.

 

[malamed]

Great suggestions! I'm actually going to CUSOM tomorrow for ShaDO week, so I will try to address this with admissions or Dr. Kessler! Thanks🙂 Go camels!

 

[iWillOneDay]

Broaden your search, as in miles. I drove 1.75 hr each way to shadow a physician.

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

Broaden your search, as in miles. I drove 1.75 hr each way to shadow a physician.

This is incredibly far.

You just need to know one doc and make a solid impression on him/her then they'll refer you to other docs to shadow. Also, use your family physician's office. Ask your own family doc if you can shadow him/her then they can perhaps link you to a DO if they're not one.

 

[medickdb]

Great suggestions! I'm actually going to CUSOM tomorrow for ShaDO week, so I will try to address this with admissions or Dr. Kessler! Thanks🙂 Go camels!

Everyone there has been extremely friendly. Just show interest, and you'll do great. These are the kinds of connections that can make a good impression when interview time arrives.

 

[medickdb]

.

 

[ButterButter]

You may also try contacting the NC Osteopathic Medical Association directly and see if they have any suggestions. In many cases they will already have a system in place to guide pre-meds on their path. Essentially they are paid by DOs of their state to engage in outreach and lobbying efforts. Because it directly benefits them to churn out more local DOs, they should hopefully have some good advice or could put you in direct contact. http://www.ncoma.org

 

[iWillOneDay]

This is incredibly far.

You just need to know one doc and make a solid impression on him/her then they'll refer you to other docs to shadow. Also, use your family physician's office. Ask your own family doc if you can shadow him/her then they can perhaps link you to a DO if they're not one.

Had to do whatever it took. She practiced OMM and it was hard to finding a physician who did.

 

[DreamingDoc]

Did you try "AOA iMentor"? They have an entire website full of DO's who might be open to shadowing, and you can search by location. It's different than the regular find a physician search engine.

 

[desdes]

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed, but I couldn't find any info on recent threads. I live in NC where the first D.O. program just matriculated in Aug. Needless to say, finding D.O. physicians(or even someone who knows what one is) has been difficult. I used several search engines(including AOA) and was able to dig up a list of about 10 within 15 miles of me.. I have called about 7 and NONE are "currently offering any shadowing opportunities." I KNOW its not specifically required for several schools, but it is "strongly recommended" for my schools of choice..which basically means..you better have that D.O. LOR.. What do I doooo? I work at a docs office, so I have plenty of shadowing/references for MD, PA, and even an NP, but my passion is OM. What are my options? Anyone?

I am also in NC and was wondering if you found a DO yet to shadow

 

[Sean Lee]

I also have an idea.

You say that there are 10 or so DOs near your area? Why don't you pick one of them and become a patient? Wouldn't they be more open to shadowing if one of their patients ask them? That's what I'll do if cold-calling doesn't work.

 

[iWillOneDay]

I also have an idea.

You say that there are 10 or so DOs near your area? Why don't you pick one of them and become a patient? Wouldn't they be more open to shadowing if one of their patients ask them? That's what I'll do if cold-calling doesn't work.

I hate when people try to do that. You are becoming a patient just so you can shadow the physician. If they don't let you shadow, do you just get up and leave?
How obligated and reluctant must that physician feel.... and how strong of a letter can that be...
Maybe I don't want it that bad or I'm just a person who doesn't like those awkward situations.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

I also have an idea.

You say that there are 10 or so DOs near your area? Why don't you pick one of them and become a patient? Wouldn't they be more open to shadowing if one of their patients ask them? That's what I'll do if cold-calling doesn't work.

The only thing that scares me more than the boogeyman is the ingenuity of premeds.

 

[malamed]

I hate when people try to do that. You are becoming a patient just so you can shadow the physician. If they don't let you shadow, do you just get up and leave?
How obligated and reluctant must that physician feel.... and how strong of a letter can that be...
Maybe I don't want it that bad or I'm just a person who doesn't like those awkward situations.

Definitely not a solid idea. Who really does that?..

 

[deleted480308]

I hate when people try to do that. You are becoming a patient just so you can shadow the physician. If they don't let you shadow, do you just get up and leave?
How obligated and reluctant must that physician feel.... and how strong of a letter can that be...
Maybe I don't want it that bad or I'm just a person who doesn't like those awkward situations.

and if the doctor is an rational adult with a spine, they will still say no if they don't want to be shadowed. My kids pediatrician (for 6ys) said no to shadowing unless it was an official internship through my university. Super nice guy, but he had his requirements and he stuck to them.