What should I say when I call for an opportunity to shadow a DO doctor?

[lotus seed]

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Hi everyone, what is the best way to approach a DO so I could get some shadowing experience? I am from Canada, and I currently live in a very small city with just one DO. I really hope this DO would accept me, because otherwise, it would make my life quite difficult.

The DO I am interested in works at a small health clinic which consists of about 7 doctors (the other six are all MDs), and the DO is not the owner of the office. The DO does not have her own office phone number, so I think everything I say would go to the receptionist first. How do I make a quick but effective message, so that the receptionist is willing to deliver this message to the DO?

Here's what I plan to say:

First, my name. Then my school and my major. Then tell the receptionist that I am very interested in the field of osteopathic medicine and I wish to shadow Dr. X. Then tell her that I would really appreciate it if she could deliver my message to Dr. X. Then leave my phone number and email.

Does this sound like a good plan? Is there anything I should add to my short phone message? Thanks!!!

 

[AlteredScale]

Hi everyone, what is the best way to approach a DO so I could get some shadowing experience? I am from Canada, and I currently live in a very small city with just one DO. I really hope this DO would accept me, because otherwise, it would make my life quite difficult.

The DO I am interested in works at a small health clinic which consists of about 7 doctors (the other six are all MDs), and the DO is not the owner of the office. The DO does not have her own office phone number, so I think everything I say would go to the receptionist first. How do I make a quick but effective message, so that the receptionist is willing to deliver this message to the DO?

Here's what I plan to say:

First, my name. Then my school and my major. Then tell the receptionist that I am very interested in the field of osteopathic medicine and I wish to shadow Dr. X. Then tell her that I would really appreciate it if she could deliver my message to Dr. X. Then leave my phone number and email.

Does this sound like a good plan? Is there anything I should add to my short phone message? Thanks!!!

In order to be respectful of the front office's time. I would start the conversation as simply asking if Dr. x is available to speak with and then explain your reasoning.

 

[lotus seed]

In order to be respectful of the front office's time. I would start the conversation as simply asking if Dr. x is available to speak with and then explain your reasoning.

So if Dr. X isn't available, should I just call back at a different time? Or should I ask the front desk to take a message for me?

 

[songl4a]

.

 

[lotus seed]

I heard emails is the best way to contact.

The problem is, I don't have the DO's email address. COMSA (which is the AOA in Canada) only gave me the DO's phone number.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

Be forward, be friendly, be polite, be eager to learn, be polite, be polite, be polite.

 

[Dr. Death]

My advisor gave me a great idea that I used, type up a short letter of intent expressing that you want to shadow the DO who you are and whatnot, put your email address and phone number in there. That way if the receptionist tells you he isn't available, ask her to give the dr. the note. Also make sure the note says something like "I'll check back next week if I haven't heard from you by then. Worked like a charm for me. Receptionists are gatekeepers, they do everything they can to not get the dr. involved. But if you can talk to the dr you are usually golden.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

You: Good morning, I would like to speak with Dr. X.
Receptionist: a) Sure hold on a minute OR b) He is currently unavilable OR he is currently with a patient can I take a message?
You: a) Thank you OR b) Is there a preffered time I could reach out to him or would I be able get his email address?
Receptionist: b) Would you like me to take a message for him instead?
You: I am currently a student at _____ and wanted to talk with him personally to express my interest in shadowing him. Thank you

Something like that. It would be better if you did not say"Please have him call me back". You are the one in need to shadow so you should make the effort to reach out ot him rather than the other way around. Also, another way to approach this is what Dr. Death suggested. Write a letter and hand it at the office.