Shadowing a DO

[layDO]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am trying to get ready for osteopathic medical schools and I do not know how to go about shadowing a doctor . I also wanted to know what other things should I participate in.Could someone help me out? Any info will be appreciated🙂 😕

 

[DrDad]

Shadowing.... unique to DO.... so far as I have found.... purpose is to see what makes up the day of a physician specifically DO...

May last four hours to a month.... depends on who you know....

I shadowed three docs for a day each.... worked out well

also shadowed some MD's for longer periods....

All desired to help me get into MS...

Also, the DO you shadow will likely be the DO to write you an LOR... letter of recommendation....

hope this helps....

PM if you need

DrDad

 

[kwooder]

I contacted my state's osteopathic association. They put me in touch with a DO to shadow. They even called the doctor's office to let them know I would be calling.

Here is a link to the state associations http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=lcl_assoc

Remember, shadowing is not about time, it is about what you gain from the experience. I would seek to get a diverse set of experiences. I think a good applicant should have some non-medical stuff as well.

Other ECs to consider: Indigent clinic volunteering, local United Way, Hospital volunteer, reading tutor, department of human services observer, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Robz]

I could have swore there was a sticky for this 🙂

Anyway, you can do a search for many many different opinions on how to shadow a DO....

or

be like me where I literaly picked up the phone book and dialed every freaking physician and asked to meet/talk/or shadow with them. I even would talk on the phone. EVERY...and I mean EVERY DO I called was really friendly. Some (surgeons) had hospital issues with shadowing but would allow me to hang in their clinics. I didn't think I would find one here as TN doesn't have a DO school and the nearest ones are Pikeville and WVCOM. I found plenty though. They are around... Good luck!

 

[Willie B]

layDO,

Try looking in your local hospital. There should be plenty of DOs in the Cleveland area as it is rather close proximity to LECOM. And some of LECOM's clinical sites are located in Cleveland (There should be physicians galore there for you to shadow).

 

[layDO]

WOW! thanks so much for the replies.....they really helped me out. I am glad to hear that there are places I can go here at home with a lot of D.Os. Thanks again for the replies.
good luck to everyone!