Shadowing Questions

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medicine!

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Hello SDN!

I've been shadowing a PCP, really like what he does as a physician, and am inspired to become a doctor like him one day. I've also been able to build a great relationship with him. Since this is my first ever long-term shadowing, I have a few questions to finish it up correctly:

1. I'm hoping to ask him for a letter of rec for my future med school apps, but not sure if I should ask him in person on my last day of shadowing (in 2 weeks) or when I'm in the process of applying for med schools (in 2 years)?

3. I'll have ~100 hours (85 hours of primary care, mixed ~20 hours of ICU, surgery & infectious disease) by the time I'm done shadowing this PCP. I know this may change but as of now, I believe my interest in family medicine has been affirmed after this most recent shadowing experience. Is it necessary/advantageous for me to still obtain some more shadowing?

3. How do people usually keep in touch with the physician whom they shadowed?

Thank you in advance!
 
I've been shadowing a PCP, really like what he does as a physician, and am inspired to become a doctor like him one day. I've also been able to build a great relationship with him. Since this is my first ever long-term shadowing, I have a few questions to finish it up correctly:

1. I'm hoping to ask him for a letter of rec for my future med school apps, but not sure if I should ask him in person on my last day of shadowing (in 2 weeks) or when I'm in the process of applying for med schools (in 2 years)?

2. I'll have ~100 hours (85 hours of primary care, mixed ~20 hours of ICU, surgery & infectious disease) by the time I'm done shadowing this PCP. I know this may change but as of now, I believe my interest in family medicine has been affirmed after this most recent shadowing experience. Is it necessary/advantageous for me to still obtain some more shadowing?

3. How do people usually keep in touch with the physician whom they shadowed?
1) Only two MD schools want one, because a letter about your passive observation isn't going to add to your candidacy. Does your school premed committee require such a letter? Then get it. Is the doc a DO? Them get one in case you decide to apply to DO med schools, because they love getting such letters. All that said, ask him at the end of the shadowing experience, but be sure you've signed up for a letter storage service, as you must waive your right to see the letter. (If he decides to share it with you anyway, that's fine, though.) Be sure he knows it must be on letterhead and have his signature.

2) You don't need anything over 50 hours, so you're good to go.

3) They don't. But you'll need a phone # or email to list on the application for your required Contact who can attest to the activity. This need not be the physician if an office manager or lead nurse is also familiar with your involvement.
 
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