Help! Question about length and duration of shadowing

[NonTradMed]

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Hi,

I will be applying to med school in the fall and found out I would need a DO 'letter of referral' or recommendation in order to apply (to DO schools). I had intentions of shadowing a doctor anyway after I took the MCAT so it was only a matter of finding a DO physician to shadow.

I quickly found a doctor who was very, very nice. He has had tons of students shadowing him and he enjoys explaining stuff.

My problem is the awkardness I feel toward asking him for a letter of recommendation. I plan on going back to see him again for a few more weeks but I'm not sure the appropriate length of time to shadow him before asking him for a rec.

I plan on maybe doing a half day thing with him weekly, more or less, but as I stated, I'm not sure what the 'typical' length and duration of shadowing is. How long most students who shadow stay with their doc per day? Over how long a period do they shadow one doctor?

Much help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MDhopeful023]

Hi!

This is my POV. I would tell him how interested you are in applying to DO schools and that a LOR is needed. Tell him/her that you would like to shadow him for X months and that it would be nice if he/she would write a letter for you. IF the DO is nice he/she will ask if you have a CV handy... most likely he will write for you right away within the first month.

Just my 2cents.

 

[NonTradMed]

Hm, thanks for that suggestion....too bad I didn't ask earlier. I'm already shadowing this doctor, tomorrow would be my third trip there. I haven't approached him about writing a rec yet, so a month is suggested? That's kind of what I"m also thinking. I'll do about a month and then ask if he wouldn't mind writing me a rec for DO school (par requirement for DO school entry). Anyone willing to share how long they shadowed a doc for a recommendation (I'm also getting plenty of experience, so it's not just the rec I'm after, but the rec is the most tangible result I will get from the experience)?

 

[DRJME]

I shadowed for about 4 hours and then asked for a letter. That was over three months ago. I go in for 4 hours once a week to see the variety of patients and blah blah blah. Most DOs know that a letter is required and are happy to help you out. Now I have a great relationship with the Dr. she even treated me with OMM the other day!! 😀

 

[Kent]

I shadowed a DO for 3 days. He was happy to write me a letter of recomendation. I guess it depends on who you happen to meet.
Best wishes.