Struggling to get DO shadowing, how beneficial is it compared to an MD?

[kelminak]

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Hello,

I live in Idaho and I'm struggling to find a DO that would be willing to let me shadow them. I've gone through the AOA list of physicians and none of them have responded. Going through one of the two hospitals here in my town is an extremely painful process and I was hoping that I might be able to find a private practice physician that wouldn't be as difficult to get shadowing set up with. Would a letter of recommendation from an MD be significantly less valuable than from a DO if I strictly plan on applying DO (specifically aiming for the Midwestern MA in Biomedical Sciences then applying DO the next year)? I would obviously prefer the latter, but it feels like getting DO shadowing set up is like pulling teeth here. I'm open to all thoughts.

Thank you!

 

[evrybodylies]

Generally speaking, most DO schools want you to show them you are really into their philosophy. One of the ways this is proved to them is a nice letter of rec from an Osteopathic Physician. It can definitely be hard sometimes to find someone that will allow you to shadow. One thing I can suggest, if you haven't already done this, is to actually call the physician's office and ask either one of the staff or the physician if you could possibly shadow. Emails and voicemails are really easy to shrug off or forget about so try talking to someone and see if that works for you. Good luck!

 

[NurWollen]

Hello,

I live in Idaho and I'm struggling to find a DO that would be willing to let me shadow them. I've gone through the AOA list of physicians and none of them have responded. Going through one of the two hospitals here in my town is an extremely painful process and I was hoping that I might be able to find a private practice physician that wouldn't be as difficult to get shadowing set up with. Would a letter of recommendation from an MD be significantly less valuable than from a DO if I strictly plan on applying DO (specifically aiming for the Midwestern MA in Biomedical Sciences then applying DO the next year)? I would obviously prefer the latter, but it feels like getting DO shadowing set up is like pulling teeth here. I'm open to all thoughts.

Thank you!

What part of Idaho do you live in? There are a lot of DOs in southeast Idaho.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You very strongly want exposure to DO(s) and letters of recommendation from them. It's not 100% necessary but it's an enormous application sinker when you lack it and thus have limited answers to why DO.

 

[UTsksk]

If I'm being honest, I couldn't tell a difference in practicing medicine between a D.O. and M.D. This could have been due to the DO I shadowed was ENT/plastics. We did carry on conversations about the philosophy and OMM when he wasn't seeing patients.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

If I'm being honest, I couldn't tell a difference in practicing medicine between a D.O. and M.D. This could have been due to the DO I shadowed was ENT/plastics. We did carry on conversations about the philosophy and OMM when he wasn't seeing patients.

I shadowed a FM DO and a FM MD. Outside of the DO using OMM once for like 2 minutes and not even billing for it, I didn't see much difference in practice.

 

[EgyptKing21]

Take my experience with a grain of salt. I never shadowed a DO and had only an MD letter. I received 6+ interviews this cycle and multiple acceptances.

 

[csx]

Take my experience with a grain of salt. I never shadowed a DO and had only an MD letter. I received 6+ interviews this cycle and multiple acceptances.

what were your stats??

 

[EgyptKing21]

what were your stats??

3.4 cum/3.57 sci/ 28 balanced MCAT

 

[ciestar]

http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/home.cfm

Is this what you tried for AOA doctors? I found my DO shadowing opportunity by "applying" for mentors whose specialties were semi appealing to me.

I'm with those above. I noticed no difference in practice. I even asked if there were differences and he said no. The best way to really see it would be with FM. (He's an ophthalmic surgeon). He lives his life according to OMM theory, however.

 

[Member004422]

.

 

[ALF85]

http://cf.osteopathic.org/iLearn/home.cfm

Is this what you tried for AOA doctors? I found my DO shadowing opportunity by "applying" for mentors whose specialties were semi appealing to me.

I'm with those above. I noticed no difference in practice. I even asked if there were differences and he said no. The best way to really see it would be with FM. (He's an ophthalmic surgeon). He lives his life according to OMM theory, however.

I am trying to find someone to shadow as well. I am just curious how long it took you to find someone on this site. Were the doctors typically responsive?

 

[chocposit]

I applied through that site weeks ago and no dice. Then again, it could just be my location...

 

[bionerd89]

3.4 cum/3.57 sci/ 28 balanced MCAT

I think you will be fine. I was accepted without shadowing a DO or a DO letter ( only MD). Just don't apply to schools that require a DO LOR.

 

[RunGently]

I think you will be fine. I was accepted without shadowing a DO or a DO letter ( only MD). Just don't apply to schools that require a DO LOR.

They already got in

 

[bionerd89]

They already got in

lol opps sorry...I thought that was the OP..that's what happens when your on SDN at work =/

 

[kelminak]

lol opps sorry...I thought that was the OP..that's what happens when your on SDN at work =/

Get to work! 😉 Yeah my stats are lower which is why I'm looking for what the best options are.

@ciestar I had never seen that website! I'll give a shot and see what results from it. Thank you!

 

[RunGently]

lol opps sorry...I thought that was the OP..that's what happens when your on SDN at work =/

Haha no problem just wanted to give a heads up. I just checked out the website that @ciestar suggested and it seems great. I was able to find a few DOs in my area that said they were willing to take on mentors. Thanks!

 

[D4C]

I never shadowed a DO, and didn't have a DO rec letter. If you have some good numbers, you'll get some interviews, I swears it.

 

[ciestar]

I am trying to find someone to shadow as well. I am just curious how long it took you to find someone on this site. Were the doctors typically responsive?

I did have a few responses and just finished shadowing today!

And you're welcome everyone! 🙂
I'm glad it's helping you all too

 

[Mehd School]

Without reading the comments, I'll throw in my two cents.

You really need to jump through the DO hoops during the application process. You need to articulate fundamentally why you want to be a DO. That sounds easy enough until you're staring at that secondary from your top choice and you have no experiences to draw from. Quite honestly I cared much less about the D.O. behind my name as much as the Dr. in front of my name. My experiences let me blur the lines a little more tactfully though.

For what it's worth, I had extensive DO shadow experiences and my fiance had none. I had a much easier time writing and speaking of why I wanted to go to DO school compared to my significant other.

Good luck. It took me a little while to find one, too.

 

[rkaz]

^^ Agree with the above.

I helped interview medical school applicants on a few occasions. Those who made the effort to shadow DOs and could talk fluently about their experiences were viewed positively. It's not necessary to shadow DOs, as if your stats are good and you have good interviewing skills, you can impress in other ways. And any shadowing is good to talk about, even it's with MDs. But if you can find a way to get the DO shadowing, then definitely do it as it will add to your experiences. Medical school interviews are difficult. My residency interviews were significantly more laid-back and friendly. So it's really important for applicants to have things they can discuss fluently and confidently about.... your shadowing experiences, your research experiences, things you enjoy doing in your free time, why you really want to be a doctor, etc.