Shadowing a D.O.

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GrapeApe

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I've heard that to apply to D.O. schools you must shadows a D.O. for a certain period; as well as get a letter of rec.

Are these true statements?

If so, how much should one volunteer?

And, for how long?

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The letter requirements vary from school to school.

Check out www.aacom.org to search the different schools.

There is no set requirement for volunteer hours.
 
some schools require a DO letter while it is optional at others. If you live within 100 miles of a DO school you should be able to find a DO to shadow.

Tell your DO you need a letter on first contact and discuss how long you will need to shadow to get a solid recommendation letter. Some students get an LOR with just 1-3 visits. Set an early deadline for getting the LOR from your DO.

Volunteer as long as you feel necessary to answer your questions on becoming a physician and also an osteopathic physician.

GrapeApe said:
I've heard that to apply to D.O. schools you must shadows a D.O. for a certain period; as well as get a letter of rec.

Are these true statements?

If so, how much should one volunteer?

And, for how long?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
How did y'all find a DO to shadow?
 
chaeymaey said:
How did y'all find a DO to shadow?

I just looked online and made some cold phone calls.
 
medhacker said:

Interesting; this tool lets you search by specialty, where specialty can mean Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.

I asked my physician if he knew any DOs and it turns out he's been seeing a DO for many years himself and is enthusiastic about osteopathy. "I would do osteopathy," he told me.

The two docs he recommended also turned up on that search tool. But I wouldn't just use the search tool in a vacuum; my gut feeling is that it's better to get a referral, unless there just aren't many choices in your town.
 
What if you have a Dr. that is a DO? Can you ask them? Or is that a conflict of interest?
 
DrHoneyBee said:
What if you have a Dr. that is a DO? Can you ask them? Or is that a conflict of interest?


That is one common way to get a LOR, unless you have had issues with your doc that you would not like reflected on your LOR there should be no prob.
 
medhacker said:
That is one common way to get a LOR, unless you have had issues with your doc that you would not like reflected on your LOR there should be no prob.

My family prac. Dr is a DO and I have seen a IM DO. This is great news, thanks!
 
Call AOA, they have a mentorship program. I found one through them.
 
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