Shadowing a DO

[bananaz]

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I just got an email from the DO mentor I requested a couple days ago through the iLearn site offering for me to come in and shadow her. Unfortunately she is a couple hours away from me (there was no one closer) but of course I am not going to turn down this great opportunity.

I am wondering what kind of shadowing schedule is "typical"? Should I be expecting to be making a weekly commitment here, or just plan for a couple of different dates? I am a little worried about having to miss class, but it would be nice to be able to spend enough time that I can cultivate a relationship and maybe get a LOR out of it, in addition to the clinical exposure.

 

[fiznat]

I suspect everyone does it a little differently. If this DO is so far away from you, I would consider working longer hours and grouping shifts together. I hook up with the DO I shadow every month over email and we pick a few dates that work for both of us.

You really couldn't find any other DOs closer to where you live?

 

[87DO15]

Have you considered just asking other DOs not through that website? A few practices list their business email, and I had friends who just emailed several DOs and waited for responses. They managed to find a few who had no problem with it, some who said they were too busy, and others who just didn't respond. It couldn't hurt to try to find someone a little closer. Don't renege on this opportunity, of course, but maybe try and make it once a month or once every two weeks for a semester or so. By the end (assuming you do 4-8 hour "shifts"), you'll have 50+ hours of shadowing. But if you find someone closer, you may be able to go for 4 hours/week (an afternoon or morning when you don't have class).

Good luck!

 

[bananaz]

I suspect everyone does it a little differently. If this DO is so far away from you, I would consider working longer hours and grouping shifts together. I hook up with the DO I shadow every month over email and we pick a few dates that work for both of us.

You really couldn't find any other DOs closer to where you live?

The only DO closer in the mentor match program was in sports medicine, which I'm really not interested in at all. The woman I picked is in family medicine/women's health and also came very highly reviewed by patients so I thought she would be a good choice. I actually wasn't expecting to get a shadowing gig out of it - the site said she wanted to mentor through email so I figured I would just ask her questions. But shadowing is even better, though the logistics might be tricky...

 

[jl13]

I don't know why anyone would want to shadow more than they have to. Just go until you can ask for a LOR. Shadowing is awkward for you and an imposition for the physician.

 

[bananaz]

Have you considered just asking other DOs not through that website? A few practices list their business email, and I had friends who just emailed several DOs and waited for responses. They managed to find a few who had no problem with it, some who said they were too busy, and others who just didn't respond. It couldn't hurt to try to find someone a little closer. Don't renege on this opportunity, of course, but maybe try and make it once a month or once every two weeks for a semester or so. By the end (assuming you do 4-8 hour "shifts"), you'll have 50+ hours of shadowing. But if you find someone closer, you may be able to go for 4 hours/week (an afternoon or morning when you don't have class).

Good luck!

This is a good idea, I guess there's no harm in cold calling (or cold emailing). Thanks!

 

[fiznat]

I don't know why anyone would want to shadow more than they have to. Just go until you can ask for a LOR. Shadowing is awkward for you and an imposition for the physician.

I've really been enjoying shadowing. So much so, I continue to do it even though I've already been accepted for next year. Experiences vary, I'm sure, but I was lucky enough to find a doc who has made the experience something great. I've done over 500 hours at this point....

 

[Postal]

I've really been enjoying shadowing. So much so, I continue to do it even though I've already been accepted for next year. Experiences vary, I'm sure, but I was lucky enough to find a doc who has made the experience something great. I've done over 500 hours at this point....

Lucky for you. I found shadowing to be extremely awkward.

 

[jl13]

Its also kind of a waste of time (after you talk about lifestyle/practicing...) because you don't actually learn much.

 

[bananaz]

Its also kind of a waste of time (after you talk about lifestyle/practicing...) because you don't actually learn much.

I did some shadowing in a hospital over the summer and didn't find that to be the case at all. I got lots of hands-on experience and was able to see many different aspects of patient care. I think it depends on the physician(s) you're shadowing and the environment they work in. I am a little nervous that it will be more awkward in a private practice. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

[Janieve]

Ironically, I shadowed a sports med DO after we serendipitously met at a restaurant getting to go food. (No joke; we chatted a bit and it just happened to come up that I couldn't find a DO to shadow. He asked me to shadow him!) I think it was the best I could've asked for.

Sports med doctors rarely just do sports med. The one I shadowed had a family practice and worked in orthopedics in addition to working athletic events. He did everything from cold/flu to broken bones to delivering babies. The variety was amazing.

Maybe you can go to your DO once a week for a few hours and familiarize yourself with the practice? Ask questions, observe, and be respectful.