Shadowing Duration

[Quester]

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Hey guys,
I haven't had any opportunity to shadow any doctors, but I'm planning on shadowing during my spring break in another state. Since spring break is only a week, I'm thinking of shadowing for only 3 days (takes time and money to travel and find place to stay).

Do you think this would be 'enough'? How many doctors should I seek to shadow and how long for each?

Also, do you think it's rude to state in my email that I need a letter of reference at the end of shadowing?

Thanks.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Hey guys,
I haven't had any opportunity to shadow any doctors, but I'm planning on shadowing during my spring break in another state. Since spring break is only a week, I'm thinking of shadowing for only 3 days (takes time and money to travel and find place to stay).

Do you think this would be 'enough'? How many doctors should I seek to shadow and how long for each?

Also, do you think it's rude to state in my email that I need a letter of reference at the end of shadowing?

Thanks.

Just wondering... why are you shadowing in another state?

There's no rulebook to shadowing, but generally people have ~40 hours of shadowing experience total. Try shadowing someone in a specialty that interests you. I only shadowed 1 doctor... some people shadow 3-4. If you're shadowing and you feel you are learning a lot from that physician, stick with him/her. If you aren't enjoying the experience, you should look for someone else.

And no, it's not rude to state in an email that you need an LOR. Just make sure you word it properly.

 

[MedPR]

Hey guys,
I haven't had any opportunity to shadow any doctors, but I'm planning on shadowing during my spring break in another state. Since spring break is only a week, I'm thinking of shadowing for only 3 days (takes time and money to travel and find place to stay).

Do you think this would be 'enough'? How many doctors should I seek to shadow and how long for each?

Also, do you think it's rude to state in my email that I need a letter of reference at the end of shadowing?

Thanks.

I think it's unwise for you to get a LOR from a physician whom you are going to shadow for only 3 days. There's no way they can write you a good letter and the ADCOMs won't think highly of it. LORs are supposed to be from people who can vouch for your character, and your true desire to be a physician. What do you expect the physician to write? "This kid came and shadowed me for 3 days, he was cool."

Shadowing is (for you and for your application) supposed to be an opportunity to see if being a physician is really what you want. It's not just a hoop you have to jump through. You can count on your interviewers asking you why you want to be a physician, and if you say that three days with one doctor was enough to convince you, you're going to look foolish.

That said, 3 days is enough as long as it's not your only, or one of only a few shadowing experiences. For example, if you shadow 10 different doctors, each for a few days, you can say that you were trying to get a feel for different specialties, and how the day-to-day is for different physicians. Are you unable to find a physician in your area to shadow?

 

[LifeTake2]

And no, it's not rude to state in an email that you need an LOR. Just make sure you word it properly.

I don't think there is any way to 'properly' ask for an LOR before you shadow.

Meet the Dr, spend time with them and THEN ask for an LOR nicely if you think it went well.

They already know you need LOR's for your application...they all went to medical school too.

 

[Quester]

Here's the thing. I'm from Ontario and the state I'm most familiar with is NY/NJ area. There aren't any DO's up here that I'm aware of, so I figured it's probably better to get 'some' shadowing experience for a few days rather than none at all.

Based on what I've read, I guess I should just ask to shadow 1 DO since it's only for 3 days. I mean, there's not enough days to get a taste of all diff. specialties...

Is it too early to email now? My spring break starts in mid-Feb.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Here's the thing. I'm from Ontario and the state I'm most familiar with is NY/NJ area. There aren't any DO's up here that I'm aware of, so I figured it's probably better to get 'some' shadowing experience for a few days rather than none at all.

Based on what I've read, I guess I should just ask to shadow 1 DO since it's only for 3 days. I mean, there's not enough days to get a taste of all diff. specialties...

Is it too early to email now? My spring break starts in mid-Feb.

You should email in January... since physicians will likely forget because of the holiday season.

I also think you should try calling directly. Email is too passive and you'll be waiting and waiting, not knowing if they got your email, or if they're just ignoring you intentionally. Call.

 

[Quester]

I think it's unwise for you to get a LOR from a physician whom you are going to shadow for only 3 days. There's no way they can write you a good letter and the ADCOMs won't think highly of it. LORs are supposed to be from people who can vouch for your character, and your true desire to be a physician. What do you expect the physician to write? "This kid came and shadowed me for 3 days, he was cool."

Shadowing is (for you and for your application) supposed to be an opportunity to see if being a physician is really what you want. It's not just a hoop you have to jump through. You can count on your interviewers asking you why you want to be a physician, and if you say that three days with one doctor was enough to convince you, you're going to look foolish.

That said, 3 days is enough as long as it's not your only, or one of only a few shadowing experiences. For example, if you shadow 10 different doctors, each for a few days, you can say that you were trying to get a feel for different specialties, and how the day-to-day is for different physicians. Are you unable to find a physician in your area to shadow?

Yup, that's pretty much the reason.

 

[Quester]

You should email in January... since physicians will likely forget because of the holiday season.

I also think you should try calling directly. Email is too passive and you'll be waiting and waiting, not knowing if they got your email, or if they're just ignoring you intentionally. Call.

Aiight. I shall call and see how many phone calls it would take before one accepts me

But on a serious note, do you think this is a bad plan? I mean, I need to get my physician LOR somewhere...

 

[DocGodfather]

Hey guys,
I haven't had any opportunity to shadow any doctors, but I'm planning on shadowing during my spring break in another state. Since spring break is only a week, I'm thinking of shadowing for only 3 days (takes time and money to travel and find place to stay).

Do you think this would be 'enough'? How many doctors should I seek to shadow and how long for each?

Also, do you think it's rude to state in my email that I need a letter of reference at the end of shadowing?

Thanks.

I don't know how valuable the LOR would be if you only spend three days shadowing. I'm not sure what the doc would be able to write for someone shadowing him for three days, and medical schools won't hold the same weight with the LOR like they would if you shadow 100+ hours.

 

[Quester]

I don't know how valuable the LOR would be if you only spend three days shadowing. I'm not sure what the doc would be able to write for someone shadowing him for three days, and medical schools won't hold the same weight with the LOR like they would if you shadow 100+ hours.

What would be my options? I'll be applying this June and don't I need to send it my LOR during then too?

I don't have any DO's to shadow in the area-- I need to drive 5+ hours and find places to stay. What would you do?

 

[DocGodfather]

What would be my options? I'll be applying this June and don't I need to send it my LOR during then too?

I don't have any DO's to shadow in the area-- I need to drive 5+ hours and find places to stay. What would you do?

You might be able to get away with one week (40 hours), if you can stick around where you're going. I'm not sure about three days, though. However, there isn't a set amount of hours you're supposed to shadow, so it's to your discretion. Your shadowing may come up in an interview, so that's something to think about as well.

 

[Quester]

You might be able to get away with one week (40 hours), if you can stick around where you're going. I'm not sure about three days, though. However, there isn't a set amount of hours you're supposed to shadow, so it's to your discretion. Your shadowing may come up in an interview, so that's something to think about as well.

One week, eh? Do doctors let you shadow for an entire day? Personally, I'd feel bothered if someone follows me around for that long.

So if I were to submit the app on June 1st, do I need to get LORs ready by then as well?

 

[DocGodfather]

One week, eh? Do doctors let you shadow for an entire day? Personally, I'd feel bothered if someone follows me around for that long.

So if I were to submit the app on June 1st, do I need to get LORs ready by then as well?

You need to have your LORs, tanscripts, PS, etc. all in to complete your application. I'm not sure if you can send your apps out, or if it would be deemed "complete" until your LOR's are sent to AACOMAS. Someone who has done apps with an input"

 

[Loudster]

One week, eh? Do doctors let you shadow for an entire day? Personally, I'd feel bothered if someone follows me around for that long.

So if I were to submit the app on June 1st, do I need to get LORs ready by then as well?

I shadowed one doctor for a day and I got the impression that he was tired of me by the end of the day. I'd recommend just shadowing for a couple hours at a time. That's what I did with the doctors I shadowed after that and I felt as if it made them more apt to like it when I was there. In time I was able to get what I felt were two strong letters from different doctors.

 

[Quester]

I shadowed one doctor for a day and I got the impression that he was tired of me by the end of the day. I'd recommend just shadowing for a couple hours at a time. That's what I did with the doctors I shadowed after that and I felt as if it made them more apt to like it when I was there. In time I was able to get what I felt were two strong letters from different doctors.

How long have you shadowed each doctor?

 

[Loudster]

How long have you shadowed each doctor?

Total I had about 100 hours, shadowed 4 doctors with the majority of that time being split between the two doctors who wrote letters (maybe 35-40 hours with each). I shadowed the doctors I got letters from about weekly over the course of a couple months.

 

[Quester]

Total I had about 100 hours, shadowed 4 doctors with the majority of that time being split between the two doctors who wrote letters (maybe 35-40 hours with each). I shadowed the doctors I got letters from about weekly over the course of a couple months.

Oh boy...that is quite a bit. I really hope that I could squeeze in at least 30 hours somehow...

 

[Iliketoytles]

One week, eh? Do doctors let you shadow for an entire day? Personally, I'd feel bothered if someone follows me around for that long.

So if I were to submit the app on June 1st, do I need to get LORs ready by then as well?

Mine let me shadow him the entire day (from 8am to 5pm... with 12-1 for lunch).

But if you've read my previous posts about him, I always rant on about how incredible and awesome he is. I wouldn't expect many doctors to be as willing to teach as him.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Quester, do you really even need a DO letter? Assuming your stats are on the upper/average end, you could get away with an MD letter as long as you apply early. Many people have gotten in with an MD letter... assuming the schools you apply to accept it.

But if you have lower-end stats and/or you don't want to regret not shadowing a DO (which is understandable), then go ahead with your plan to shadow in NJ. Before going though, there are a few things you need to confirm with the doctors that you call.

1. Tell them that you are coming all the way from Canada to shadow him/her, and can only stay 3 days due to financial reasons, and that you'd appreciate as much shadowing experience as you can get. This will encourage him/her to give you as many shadowing hours through those 3 days as possible.

2. You should tell the doctor that in order to apply to osteopathic schools, you need a recommendation letter from a physician... and ask if he/she will be willing to write one at the end of the shadowing experience. Given your situation, this is important... since you don't want to spend your only 3 days shadowing a DO and never getting the most important part of the experience (the LETTER).

You can do both of these over the phone... so be sure to call around early-mid January so it's after the holiday season. And also get their contact information so you can remind them that you're coming right before your spring break starts.

You don't need 100 shadowing hours from various physicians, despite what others may have. Just get as many hours as you can over the 3 days, get your letter, and enjoy your experience! If you end up not getting as many hours... then you can always get more afterwards from physicians in Ontario, even if they're MDs... and Canadian.

Anyway, that's what my plan would be.

 

[Quester]

Thanks a lot Iliketoytleshttp://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=419186!
Unfortunately I belong in the second category, so DO letter would definitely help me. Your suggestion sounds doable and I guess all I could do at the moment is to find out potential DO's to call after a few weeks.
Merry Christmas (or happy holidays) 🙂