Letters of Rec : from doc you didnt work with?

[fj25]

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The orthopedic surgeon who worked on my knee, knows I am interested in ortho and he asked if I would like a letter. I didnt work with him though. He is aware of the hard work I had to go through with the surgery and studying with school. Is that I good idea?

 

[radonc]

good question....not sure. can anyone else comment on this?

 

[kemc]

Great question!

I am in a same boat as fj25 is. I could get an LOR from a top Ped cardiologist, i have been involved fwith him few years for my kids heart issues. The Dr knows me very well personally and also knows how hard i had worked with my kid in recovery process and at that same time preparing the board and passing teh boards....I am an IMG, the cardiologist is also an IMG so he knows what i had gone through.

Could anyone please shed some light on this topic.!!
Thanks!!

 

[Faebinder]

Corporate America and the medical residency application are very similar....

It's not about what you did with the person recommending you.... it's about how important he is to the program.

 

[MedWiz]

if such docs are willing to provide you with a favorable letter, why not simply ask them to provide you with the opportunity to shadow them for a couple of weeks, so that they can actually base their letter on some personal WORK experience, ultimately this would also make their letters much more credible-likewise, they'll certainly appreciate that you aren't simply looking for a freebie, but are really interested in working with them in the first place.

 

[kemc]

I am planning to shadow him after my CS in 6 weeks.
MedWiz, thanks for ur input!! you got good point if you work with them then it will make their letters more crediable.

 

[pottsy2]

In regards to the first poster, I would only use a letter from a person you didn't work with as a last resort unless they can talk to people you did work with, ie residents. They may be able to say that you seem to be very personable and hard working, but they won't be able to comment on your medical knowledge, interaction with the team, preparation for cases, interaction with patients, skill in the OR, etc.