Question about Physician Shadowing

[lgirl60]

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So I might have the opportunity this summer to shadow a DO, and I was just wondering, do MD programs specifically prefer that you shadow an MD? (I will be applying to both MD and DO programs in the future.)

 

[sector9]

So I might have the opportunity this summer to shadow a DO, and I was just wondering, do MD programs specifically prefer that you shadow an MD? (I will be applying to both MD and DO programs in the future.)

I've never heard of a MD program requiring you to shadow a MD. You probably want to shadow at least one MD, but most MD programs don't care. For example, University of Utah specifies that their physician shadowing requirement is fulfilled by either a MD or DO but no one else.

Physician shadowing is defined as the observation of a physician as s/he cares for and treats patients and carries out the other responsibilities of medical practice.
Applicants should spend enough time directly shadowing physicians to understand the challenges, demands and lifestyle of a medical doctor. Shadowing must be done with an allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) physician in their practice in the United States. Time spent shadowing residents, physician assistants, podiatrists, veterinarians, nurses, EMT's, PhD's etc., will not be considered.

http://medicine.utah.edu/admissions/criteria/index.htm

It seems like you already know this, but the reverse is not true. DO programs usually require you to shadow a DO, and usually want a letter of recommendation from a DO as well.

 

[lgirl60]

I've never heard of a MD program requiring you to shadow a MD. You probably want to shadow at least one MD, but most MD programs don't care. For example, University of Utah specifies that their physician shadowing requirement is fulfilled by either a MD or DO but no one else.
http://medicine.utah.edu/admissions/criteria/index.htm

It seems like you already know this, but the reverse is not true. DO programs usually require you to shadow a DO, and usually want a letter of recommendation from a DO as well.

Thank you for the quick and informative response! I did know that DO programs often require DO shadowing in specific, but I wasn't 100% sure about MD programs.

 

[sector9]

Thank you for the quick and informative response! I did know that DO programs often require DO shadowing in specific, but I wasn't 100% sure about MD programs.

No problem 👍
You can also check out this FAQ for University of Washington
http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Ed...ns/Pages/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx#shadow
They never explicitly say that a DO doesn't count, but they seem to prefer MD shadowing. It's hard to tell though. Washington counts it if you shadow a resident but Utah doesn't, so each school is a little different about their preferences. (Differences can also be different between adcom members, so you'll never be able to please everyone!)