Is it ok to shadow a DO?

[informme]

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A very good friend of mine is a DO currently undergoing his residency at the local MICU.
I was wondering, is there any value on paper for me to shadow him?

I do see him time from time in the hospital, and he seems to do most everything the other doctors do. I was thinking about shadowing him for maybe 8 hours or so.


But then again, I'm going for an MD...

 

[greatnt249]

A very good friend of mine is a DO currently undergoing his residency at the local MICU.
I was wondering, is there any value on paper for me to shadow him?

I do see him time from time in the hospital, and he seems to do most everything the other doctors do. I was thinking about shadowing him for maybe 8 hours or so.


But then again, I'm going for an MD...

If he performs the same duties as every other resident in his program, I don't see what the problem is.

 

[mirrorpair]

I don't know how to answer your question but I have this experience: I shadowed an old MD who ran an orthopedic lab after a successful career as an orthopedic surgeon. Everyone told me that if they wanted to replace their hip, this was the guy to go to. But when he retired, who did they want to go to?

A new guy who was a DO.

So, in the end, there are more variables than MCAT scores and GPA that go into the quality of a surgeon.

If you shadow this person, you could argue why MCAT scores and GPA don't ultimately decide the quality of a doctor--that would make you look different. And different (as long as it looks competent) always looks good.

So I say go for it--so long as you know how to talk about it in context in an interview.

 

[muhali3]

If it's just for 8 hours just do it, good to add to your app. I don't think DO schools mind if you shadow MDs. Probably the same the other way around, even though MD schools would prefer MDs, but it really doesn't make a difference.

 

[schrizto]

Nothing wrong with shadowing a DO. A doc is a doc.

 

[informme]

I'm sure it will be a rewarding experiance. He is very intelligent, and always takes measures to help others.

So it be valuable on my medical school (MD) application (will it validly count towards my total hours of shadowing)?


thanks! I think I'll call him first thing tommorrow!!

 

[schrizto]

I'm sure it will be a rewarding experiance. He is very intelligent, and always takes measures to help others.

So it be valuable on my medical school (MD) application (will it validly count towards my total hours of shadowing)?


thanks! I think I'll call him first thing tommorrow!!

it can only help.

 

[J ROD]

Shadowing a DO is fine since he is a physician!

I would just not shadow DOs only when applying to MD programs. One or two aint gonna hurt, lol

 

[FlowLimited]

Folks, this is getting a little ridiculous.

DOs are physicians, they go through almost exactly the same training, and 99% of the time they perform their duties in exactly the same manner as a MD. DOs can be (and are) faculty members at allopathic med schools, and they teach MD students and train MD residents.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with shadowing a DO.

 

[Compass]

DOs do the same treatment and basic care. They simply focus heavily on a different treatment style of preventive care as well. Being an MD-oriented person does not prevent you from accepting the DO way either. I certainly see the benefits of treating the person and using preventive measures. I had a great talk with one of the DOs at the place I work. Certainly convinced me about how preventive care was important in a critical care subject. You should not feel that this opportunity is any less than if you shadowed an MD. The only time I foresee it would be more favorable would be:

DO shadowing for DO program
DO shadowing for MD program shouldn't be that big of a deal...

 

[sshashid87]

A very good friend of mine is a DO currently undergoing his residency at the local MICU.
I was wondering, is there any value on paper for me to shadow him?

I do see him time from time in the hospital, and he seems to do most everything the other doctors do. I was thinking about shadowing him for maybe 8 hours or so.


But then again, I'm going for an MD...

He does the same thing other doctors do because he himself is a doctor. Shocking, isn't it? In all seriousness, there is nothing wrong with shadowing a DO. If med schools even care pay attention to the letters behind the name, the most they'll presume about you is that you are interested first in becoming a doctor, second in the letters behind the name. It will absolutely not hurt you, though that is not to say you should only shadow DOs; shadow both. Adcoms are doctors, they understand an MD=DO in the US, and they aren't going to hold it against you that you looked at both fields. Relax, don't buy into the MD>DO debate started by people whose ego is so fragile they need to find a way to call themselves better. Maybe that's a little extreme, but still, you get my point. Shadow away. (If it wasn't obvious, I'm applying to MD + DO schools, and I could not care less which I get into as long as I get into one of them)

 

[Aromatic Amine]

DO = MD

DO shadowing = MD shadowing

they do the same stuff, so it shouldn't be a problem.👍

 

[Evergrey]

DO = MD

DO shadowing = MD shadowing

they do the same stuff, so it shouldn't be a problem.👍

QFE.

There is absolutely no difference between shadowing a D.O. and an M.D. The only difference between them is those two letters.

 

[Charles English]

i hear they bite if you eye them.



just be careful. 😀

 

[bunnity]

Would the fact that he's a resident versus attending matter? That seems a lot more significant than MD/DO to me.

 

[Compass]

Would the fact that he's a resident versus attending matter? That seems a lot more significant than MD/DO to me.

Technically, yes. Residents have less experience than attendings. But experience is still experience. Shadowing is still shadowing.

 

[mic2377]

There is ZERO difference. A practicing physician is a practicing physician, no matter what the letters behind their name.

And, just because someone is a DO doesn't mean they are any less qualified. Some people actually choose that route.

Regardless, have fun shadowing! You are lucky to have a good connection like that!

 

[Web MD]

You should shadow just to help him out, I mean odds are you're going to have to point out where things like the heart and lungs are for him, and probably demonstrate stethoscope use. Or maybe I'm confusing a DO with a janitor. Which one is the career requiring 4 years of medical education and another 3-7 of residency resulting in the ability to practice medicine autonomously?

 

[sshashid87]

You should shadow just to help him out, I mean odds are you're going to have to point out where things like the heart and lungs are for him, and probably demonstrate stethoscope use. Or maybe I'm confusing a DO with a janitor. Which one is the career requiring 4 years of medical education and another 3-7 of residency resulting in the ability to practice medicine autonomously?

Ha...yeahhh, that was a good one...

The resident thing is slightly more worrisome than DO/MD, but in the end it doesn't matter really. Resident or attending, he's doing the same things, you'll observe the same exact stuff. Have fun with it, and make sure you shadow a bunch of different specialties, in the end that'll benefit you more...