Shadowing a DO

[rockorhardplace]

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So after calling few physician offices, I finally found a DO to shadow. I emailed him after speaking to him on the phone and he seems really helpful and looks like he basically will allow me to come in at my schedule as long as I tell his secretary in advance. I am shadowing him tomorrow morning for the first time. What sort of questions should I ask him? How many hours are sufficient? Also, how should I go about asking for a letter? I don't want to make it seem like I am shadowing him just for the letter.

I'm applying next cycle in June 2013.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Just take in the experience. Ask questions when they are pertinent to your curiosities, and appropriate. Try to behave much like an actual shadow during encounters with patients, i.e., quiet and out of the way. Other than that, just follow the physician's lead. If you build a good enough relationship, or if you ultimately need a DO letter, then ask for one. Hours - invest enough time to get a really good idea of what the doctor does and what the job/field is like. If you enjoy shadowing, and if the Dr is okay with it, continue shadowing beyond that. I enjoyed all of my shadowing experiences so far, so I've shadowed well beyond what I felt I needed to get out of it. Lastly, enjoy!

 

[abolt18]

I loved shadowing my DO. I spent 2.5-3 hours with him every week for 4 months. I called if I ever couldn't make it but he expected me around the same time every Tuesday (it was my only break in classes) and he loved that it was only a couple hours and not an all day thing. I enjoyed it because I always rolled into his lunch hour so I'd get to see him meet with TONS of drug reps (and get free lunch) and sometimes he took me down to the doctor's cafeteria when there were no drug reps and this was my Q & A time where I asked him about med school, residency, the pro's and con's of his job etc.

As was said before, when we were with patients, I kept my mouth shut unless either he or the patient spoke to me so as to not disturb. After about a month he started asking me questions (pimping me I guess) and walking me through his diagnosis of a patient and talked about or asked me about the anatomy and physiology of the disorder or disease. He had me help with basic procedures instead of having his MA come in (just stupid stuff like lancing cysts, removing fluid from the knee, etc.). Basically over the 4 months I got to know him really well and when it was coming time to apply, I asked him for a letter of recommendation. He wrote me a super stellar letter (I never read it, but it was mentioned in several of my interviews) and I shadowed him for another month before my wife was put on bed rest so I decided to stop so i could help her more. He is now my physician and he's been a phenomenal mentor to me.

Don't push your boundaries, be respectful, and if the doc starts to trust you, you'll likely be given more learning opportunities. If he lets you shadow him long-term I'd hold off at least a couple months before asking for a letter. Good luck! I hope you have a great time!

 

[HalfListic]

So after calling few physician offices, I finally found a DO to shadow. I emailed him after speaking to him on the phone and he seems really helpful and looks like he basically will allow me to come in at my schedule as long as I tell his secretary in advance. I am shadowing him tomorrow morning for the first time. What sort of questions should I ask him? How many hours are sufficient? Also, how should I go about asking for a letter? I don't want to make it seem like I am shadowing him just for the letter.

I'm applying next cycle in June 2013.

Have fun...I echo Abolts enthusiasm for the experience. I had a lot of fun in my shadowing experiences.

One great thing about the whole thing is that they have been where you are right now. They will not be surprised at all when you ask for a letter. For me, by the middle or end of the experience, I just asked them directly if they felt that they could recommend me for medical school. Depending on the Dr., it was either a more formal conversation, or just a relaxed atmosphere. But, either way, they know its coming so just ask. 🙂

And I always gave a thank you note weather I asked for a letter or not.

 

[molarseeker]

But how do you ask?

 

[HalfListic]

But how do you ask?

For me, I would being it up in a conversation when I felt confident that they liked me. At that point, I would thank them again for the chance to shadow them, and say something like: I know you are very busy, but if you feel comfortable to do so, I am looking to get a strong letter of recommendation from a physician to include with my application to medical school.

That will open up a conversation...some will want to ask you questions. why do you want to be a doc, etc. Others might even want your PS or resume so be prepared to at least give a resume or email it later. Most will just say no problem and even ask what you would like included in it. So, be ready for each scenario.


Hopefully that was more what you were asking for, but feel free to PM me if you need some more specifics👍

 

[MedPR]

But how do you ask?

Be awesome and be clear that you are submitting your application soon. They might volunteer to write for you. That's how I got mine.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[abolt18]

For me, I would being it up in a conversation when I felt confident that they liked me. At that point, I would thank them again for the chance to shadow them, and say something like: I know you are very busy, but if you feel comfortable to do so, I am looking to get a strong letter of recommendation from a physician to include with my application to medical school.

That will open up a conversation...some will want to ask you questions. why do you want to be a doc, etc. Others might even want your PS or resume so be prepared to at least give a resume or email it later. Most will just say no problem and even ask what you would like included in it. So, be ready for each scenario.


Hopefully that was more what you were asking for, but feel free to PM me if you need some more specifics👍

KABOOM!!! Do this. I waited asked in a similar way. I said "Dr xyz, would you feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?" He said "sure when do you need it by?" I said "I'll bring you my resume, and if you can have it done by x date that would be perfect" And just like that magic was made.

 

[HalfListic]

KABOOM!!! Do this. I waited asked in a similar way. I said "Dr xyz, would you feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?" He said "sure when do you need it by?" I said "I'll bring you my resume, and if you can have it done by x date that would be perfect" And just like that magic was made.

haha...judging by your avatar, and I hope Im right, your "kaboom" is a nod to one of the best parks and rec episodes so far

 

[abolt18]

haha...judging by your avatar, and I hope Im right, your "kaboom" is a nod to one of the best parks and rec episodes so far

Hahahaha amazingly I totally forgot about that, but I am now realizing I started saying kaboom when I was watching Parks and Rec a few months ago. As you can guess by my avatar, Ron Swanson is my hero.

 

[HalfListic]

Hahahaha amazingly I totally forgot about that, but I am now realizing I started saying kaboom when I was watching Parks and Rec a few months ago. As you can guess by my avatar, Ron Swanson is my hero.

it was in your subconscious all along, Im sure. That dude is hilarious as is Mr Swanson 😉