Shadowing a DO

[opee]

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I think DO schools should reconsider this requirement.

I was give a list of DO’s by the school I was applying to in my area, who would allow students to shadow them. Well I called them all (3 ), and each time I get a rude receptionist telling me that their doctors does not do that and that he/she is a busy. I am sure that the same B****rds when applied to med school were in the same shoes and LIED to the aadmission committee about their commitment to serve and help, bla bla bla….As far as I am concern, they can go to H***ll

Sorry for the sharp language, but I am mad as H****ll

 

[DrMom]

get out there on your own & find other Drs. do a search...there are quite a few threads with ideas for finding DOs to shadow.

 

[Gibby Haynes]

I don't really have an opinion about whether schools should require a letter from a DO. When I applied they encouraged it but it was by no means a requirement. I didn't have one and I still got in. I guess that they want students who know exactly what there getting into. I know that the process of applying is stressful and frustrating, but I don't think that blowin' up like that is going to get you anywhere closer to getting in. I would recommend contacting the school to see if there are any other options you can take. Surely there are more than 3 DOs that in your hometown or nearby.

 

[OrthoFixation]

I had difficulties too, but mine was due to the knee jerk over reactions to HIPPA. I did get a DO letter and hour long discussion, but no true shadowing. I have gotten interviews at MD and DO schools. While I have not seen the DO letter, I requested it be good for any program. I sent it to all programs and have no MD letter.

 

[dr.z]

I had difficulty, and I ended up not getting a DO letter. I just applied to schools that didn't require DO letter. I just went with MD letters.

 

[Khenon]

I'm struggling too. I have a DO that would love to let me shadow her, but she's a junior physician, and technically in training (I think she's more in a "post-doc" position) so her superiors don't really want her to have any responsibility/liability for a shadowee. I've tried contacting 2 other DO's; one hasn't responded and one works in a prison, so can't allow me to shadow (said HIPAA is a cake walk compared to what he has to go through . . . I believe him). Anyway, I'm going to keep trying to contact other DO's in the surrounding area (not just right here in Rochester). But I sympathize. I'm just glad that first DO I mentioned is still willing to write me a letter (we work together in the lab, so she knows me pretty well). But it sucks that I won't have any actual shadowing. Good luck with your search. There's a bunch of us in the same boat.

 

[jkhamlin]

I think DO schools should reconsider this requirement.

I was give a list of DO’s by the school I was applying to in my area, who would allow students to shadow them. Well I called them all (3 ), and each time I get a rude receptionist telling me that their doctors does not do that and that he/she is a busy. I am sure that the same B****rds when applied to med school were in the same shoes and LIED to the aadmission committee about their commitment to serve and help, bla bla bla….As far as I am concern, they can go to H***ll

Sorry for the sharp language, but I am mad as H****ll

I had a very similar experience. I even called my state's Osteopathic Association (Missouri, go figure), the AOA, the med schools I am applying too, my uncle (who is a DO in another part of the state), my local medical association, and a bunch of DO offices. They all seemed to tout that they liked to help students, but they seemed to be bending over backwards not to help.
Then one evening I was at work (I work at a hospital pharmacy) feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't get a DO to shadow. I was taking my Accudose rounds and I stepped onto an elevator. This doctor on the elevator just started chatting with me like he knew me. This is odd, because most of the doctors don't like to even acknowledge us lower life forms unless they already know one of us. I looked at his name on his lab coat to see if maybe it rang a bell. I couldn't help but notice that he was a DO. When I got back to the pharmacy I asked one of the pharmacists if he knew this doctor. This pharmacist is very smart and blatantly honest and won't hesitate to tell me if he thinks a doctor is a bonehead. He had nothing bad to say.
I contacted this doctor's office and stated my needs and asked if they could help. The receptionist and nurse both were cordial and set up an appointment. I met this doctor, got the obligatory lecture about not going into medicine for the money, etc. Then he stated that I could shadow him for a day, he would interview me throughout the day, and he would write a LOR.
As it turns out, he was voted #1 preceptor by KCUMB students last year, and I am applying there!
All of this happened over the course of about 3 years. So hang in there. Get a job or volunteer at a hospital. Keep calling doctor's offices, your state Osteopathic Association, etc. You will eventually get lucky (if you call it luck).
HTH

 

[jkhamlin]

BTW, some of the people I contacted gave me the HIPAA line, too. That is a BS reason and is mainly just an excuse. I work in a hospital, and the doctors whom I have shadowed have had no problem with it.🙄

 

[iatrosB]

As it turns out, he was voted #1 preceptor by KCUMB students last year, and I am applying there!

Awesome, are you in the application process now. Let me know if you need any help as I will be attending there next year (Fall 05). It is an excellent school!

 

[jkhamlin]

Awesome, are you in the application process now. Let me know if you need any help as I will be attending there next year (Fall 05). It is an excellent school!

I just heard back from the Assistant Director of Recruitment. My file was in the to be review later stack, but right now the VP of admissions is looking at it (technicalities) for a more thorough evaluation for possible interview!
Maybe I'll see you there this fall.

 

[irishlaydi]

I think DO schools should reconsider this requirement.

I was give a list of DO’s by the school I was applying to in my area, who would allow students to shadow them. Well I called them all (3 ), and each time I get a rude receptionist telling me that their doctors does not do that and that he/she is a busy. I am sure that the same B****rds when applied to med school were in the same shoes and LIED to the aadmission committee about their commitment to serve and help, bla bla bla….As far as I am concern, they can go to H***ll

Sorry for the sharp language, but I am mad as H****ll

I had a lot of trouble finding DO's that would allow me to shadow them. The way I finally found one is by going thru insurance companies web search sites! Blue Cross Blue Shield (www.bcbs.com) and ViaHealth (or whatever is big in your area) and you can search for physicians. Can't search by DO, atleast I couldn't find it, but I just perused the family physicians and IM section and called all of the DO's until I could find one to allow me to shadow. May not be the most direct way, but by going through all the specialties too you could get a rather large list to call.

 

[busupshot83]

I tried to shadow a DO a while back, and she stated that it would infringe on patient privacy... I felt so... rejected... 😀

 

[DrMom]

I'm sure some of you have tried this, but just in case...


offer to sign the same HIPPA form that the Dr's employees do.

 

[Tas]

Also, once you get in and become a doctor - remember the difficulties you've had finding someone to shadow.

 

[mercy4052]

I have my first DO shadowing experience next Monday. I am exciting about it, but I'm also kind of nervous too. What can I expect? How should I dress? Can others tell me about their shadowing experiences? Thanks! 🙂

 

[calichik]

I have my first DO shadowing experience next Monday. I am exciting about it, but I'm also kind of nervous too. What can I expect? How should I dress? Can others tell me about their shadowing experiences? Thanks! 🙂

Have fun with it. The majority of the time you’ll be following the doctor around as he meets with each patient (depending on if the patient grants permission to let you listen in and observe). In between patient visits is the perfect time to ask the D.O. questions, get to know each other better, talk about med school, etc. Don’t wear jeans. Wear some nice pants and comfortable shoes.

 

[GoBlue129]

i got a listing of my local DOs as well. I called several but only got as far as the receptionists. I decided to just go to some of the other offices and ask in person, which worked. Try that.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I met doctors in other settings (i.e. church) and got to know them personally. Later on, when it came time, I shadowed them.

I got a good recommendation letter as a result.

If you know any doctors, consider using them instead of strangers.

 

[irishlaydi]

I have my first DO shadowing experience next Monday. I am exciting about it, but I'm also kind of nervous too. What can I expect? How should I dress? Can others tell me about their shadowing experiences? Thanks! 🙂

HI. I shadowed a family practice D.O. in early fall and it was great. I wore nice pants and a dress shirt (collared and onetime a thin sweater), you don't have to be too fancy but look nice! Definately try to talk to the doctor as much as you can, about D.O., med school, whatever...I got a lot more information from the doc I shadowed than I expected. And I went for a bunch of days and actually got to do some interactive stuff...just listening to hearts and stuff with kids but still...hands on is good. Prepare to spend lots of time listening and observing and hopefully you will get to do some hands on things too. It's definately fun, and I actually got to see a lot of unique patients so very interesting too. If you have any other questions feel free to pm me. have a good time

 

[Khenon]

I found a DO I can shadow! Woo-hoo! Keep pushin' guys. Someone will give in. Try to contact the doctors directly (ie don't talk to their secretaries or nurses . . . ask for their email or voicemail if you can't talk to them right then). Also, be willing to get the HIPAA lecture. It's not a big deal, and doesn't require alot of training or anything. Don't let that be the reason you "can't" shadow.

I got names of local DO's through the AOA website, then I just started calling. I managed to get the email of this one guy, and he finally got back with me (took 3 weeks) and was happy to help me out.

Good luck everyone!

 

[NRAI2001]

Do DO schools require you to shadow a DO?

 

[OSUdoc08]

Do DO schools require you to shadow a DO?

No.

Many require you to get a recommendation from one, however.

 

[DrMom]

they all like some shadowing.

some require a LOR from a DO

 

[Khenon]

I personally am lacking in clinical experience, and didn't have any kind of physician letter. I knew it would be vital for me to shadow a DO if I wanted to be considered at DO schools. But not everyone is in my position. Many DO schools will accept MD LOR's. They prefer to see some DO shadowing and/or DO references, but mainly just want some kind of clinical experience, with knowledge of osteopathic medicine.

 

[drjds]

I had a very similar experience. I even called my state's Osteopathic Association (Missouri, go figure), the AOA, the med schools I am applying too, my uncle (who is a DO in another part of the state), my local medical association, and a bunch of DO offices. They all seemed to tout that they liked to help students, but they seemed to be bending over backwards not to help.
Then one evening I was at work (I work at a hospital pharmacy) feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't get a DO to shadow. I was taking my Accudose rounds and I stepped onto an elevator. This doctor on the elevator just started chatting with me like he knew me. This is odd, because most of the doctors don't like to even acknowledge us lower life forms unless they already know one of us. I looked at his name on his lab coat to see if maybe it rang a bell. I couldn't help but notice that he was a DO. When I got back to the pharmacy I asked one of the pharmacists if he knew this doctor. This pharmacist is very smart and blatantly honest and won't hesitate to tell me if he thinks a doctor is a bonehead. He had nothing bad to say.
I contacted this doctor's office and stated my needs and asked if they could help. The receptionist and nurse both were cordial and set up an appointment. I met this doctor, got the obligatory lecture about not going into medicine for the money, etc. Then he stated that I could shadow him for a day, he would interview me throughout the day, and he would write a LOR.
As it turns out, he was voted #1 preceptor by KCUMB students last year, and I am applying there!
All of this happened over the course of about 3 years. So hang in there. Get a job or volunteer at a hospital. Keep calling doctor's offices, your state Osteopathic Association, etc. You will eventually get lucky (if you call it luck).
HTH

I'm not sure if you are religious or not, but I had to say that. I can't believe even your uncle wouldn't give you a chance. You really deserved it. And if you are not already in D.O. school or have already been accepted, I wish you the best that you get in and that you will open a door for some pre-D.O. or pre-med down the road. 😀