wat to do if lacking doctor reference?

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xylem29

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What happens if I am unable to get a reference letter from a physician who can comment on my patient interaction abilities??
 
What happens if I am unable to get a reference letter from a physician who can comment on my patient interaction abilities??

some schools require a physican LOR. Some schools require it specifically from a DO physician. I would check before applying and if you don't have one, apply only to those schools that don't require it?

That's the best advice i can give you. A LOR from a DO was essential for me because it not only showed my dedication and interest in the osteopathic field but it also gave me much needed experience and more than anything i got to witness doctor-patient interactions along with various surgeries.

and I shadowed both MD and DO. But I really enjoyed the DO because he was an ortho surgeon who actually utilized OMM on a daily basis.
 
does anyone know if PCOM - pa , Westeren in cali , or TUCOM-NV require a DO letter or do they accept both MD/DO? thank you
 
What happens if I am unable to get a reference letter from a physician who can comment on my patient interaction abilities??

Are you stoned or something? "wat"
 
You really need to find a physician, preferably a DO to shadow. It really isn't as much of a task as it seems and not having the letter will certainly hurt your chances at most schools that require an MD or DO letter.

I suggest going to your state's osteopathic association website where you can look up a DO in your area. Just call them/their office directly - you'd be surprised how receptive many are to letting you shadow for a couple of days and writing a letter. They've been through it so they know what you need...
 
im new to this forum..anyone there who can assist me..
thanks!
 
What happens if I am unable to get a reference letter from a physician who can comment on my patient interaction abilities??

I just got accepted recently to DMU and I neither shadowed a DO or MD. I did volunteer at a hospital that had DO's on staff and I got some experience from that. The fact that I didnt shadow came up in my interview and I just stated that I didn't feel the need to shadow because I got the same experience everytime I came to volunteer at the hospital (which was definitely plenty enough)...so what I am saying is that shadowing isn't the only way to get in contact with DO's and gain experience in the DO philosophy. You can work or volunteer in different clinical settings in which DO's maybe present and it's the same as shadowing.

PS. DMU doesnt require a physician letter and I believe it is optional for PCOM...just check to make sure
 
I just got accepted recently to DMU and I neither shadowed a DO or MD. I did volunteer at a hospital that had DO's on staff and I got some experience from that. The fact that I didnt shadow came up in my interview and I just stated that I didn't feel the need to shadow because I got the same experience everytime I came to volunteer at the hospital (which was definitely plenty enough)...so what I am saying is that shadowing isn't the only way to get in contact with DO's and gain experience in the DO philosophy. You can work or volunteer in different clinical settings in which DO's maybe present and it's the same as shadowing.

PS. DMU doesnt require a physician letter and I believe it is optional for PCOM...just check to make sure

I didn't shadow as well. I volunteered at a free clinic where a DO also volunteered. I would talk to this DO while I was their, help him out somtimes, and maybe follow him when I was done with my duties. He wrote me a LOR and I got into a school that requires one. I think that volunteering somewhere that has a DO is just fine, just get to know them.

I also had a friend who applied last year to schools that required a LOR from a DO. SHe interviewed at the three that required them and was placed on hold until she submitted her LOR from a DO. After she did that , she was accepted at all three. This was fairly late in the application cycle last year (Feb-march).

My advice, find a way to get a DO LOR; volunteer, shadow, beg, whatever, but get it done, it will increase your chances at getting accepted somewhere...

Best of luck to you!
 
You see, there's a problem - there are no DO's in my area. I'm hoping that school's will understand this, and I'm just going to shadow an MD...so generally, you can just shadow physician's for a day or two and they'll write you a LOR?
 
I just got accepted recently to DMU and I neither shadowed a DO or MD. I did volunteer at a hospital that had DO's on staff and I got some experience from that. The fact that I didnt shadow came up in my interview and I just stated that I didn't feel the need to shadow because I got the same experience everytime I came to volunteer at the hospital (which was definitely plenty enough)...so what I am saying is that shadowing isn't the only way to get in contact with DO's and gain experience in the DO philosophy. You can work or volunteer in different clinical settings in which DO's maybe present and it's the same as shadowing.

PS. DMU doesnt require a physician letter and I believe it is optional for PCOM...just check to make sure

PCOM's is "optional" persay. It's not required but its HIGHLY recommended. (notice the caps?)
 
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