Shadowing a DO

[timmah2k]

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Because I'm taking my MCATs this August and the grades won't come in until October, would it be okay to shadow a DO after the MCATs and before the grades come in?

I guess I'm asking if this is smart because maybe finding a DO to shadow will be difficult then as it is now and if it's enough time to shadow.

And do schools not offer interviews until after MCATs? Because then a DO letter would be fine as long as it's before the MCAT grade, right? I prefer not to do it now since I'm taking classes and studying for the MCATs.

 

[Amy B]

While I understand the need to study for the MCAT, I would suggest an afternoon a week to shadow the DO starting as early as you can. You can't study all the time. And perhapes the time shadowing will give you a postive feeling about the DO profession and the medical field and perhaps help you study harder.

That said... it can be hard finding someone to shadow. I was up in northern VA and could not find a DO that would allow me to shadow them. I finally emailed the AOA district leader in my area and he agreed to meet with me. I sent him my application essay and a resume and then he talked with me for an hour. He then wrote my LOR based on that meeting. I had grown up being treated by a DO so I was familar with the field which helped a great deal.

Good luck on the MCAT

 

[timmah2k]

Is there a better way to find a DO to shadow? I must have called 35+ doctors from a list the AOA gave me and they either never pick up, never return my calls, or flat out say no. Is there another way of doing this?

 

[DrMom]

See if you can shadow a DO at the nearest Osteopathic school. They're used to having students & residents around anyways.

 

[Amy B]

Is there a better way to find a DO to shadow? I must have called 35+ doctors from a list the AOA gave me and they either never pick up, never return my calls, or flat out say no. Is there another way of doing this?

This is what I ran across as well. I think as future DOs, we really need to keep this in mind and once we become practicing doctors we need to remember this and be open to students shadowing us.I plan to set aside 1 to 2 days a week when I will allow students to shadow me.

 

[goinverted]

exactly my feelings on the subject. In fact the MD's have seemed more willing to let me shadow than the DO's. I still am looking for a DO to shadow, all I get is would you like to leave a message!>? We do need to remember how we got to where we will be (sounds funny huh) so that those who follow will have the best impression possible. 🙂