Is not shadowing a primary care doc hurting my app?

[HopefulDoc91]

I know how much DO emphasizes primary care, so would it hurt my app if I don't shadow a primary care doc? I worked with radiologists for 1 year, and I have been working for an orthopedic surgeon for 7 months now. I also shadowed a cardiologist, pulmonologist, and infectious disease doctor. I didn't put in my personal statement or any secondaries that I wanted to do primary care...but I said I was open to the idea. To be honest, I don't want to do primary care, I would like to specialize. Hence my shadowing experience. I have mentioned that I am interested in working in underserved areas, since I currently work in a health professional shortage area and I have seen how badly some of our patients need access to other doctors.

But is this hurting me? I haven't been out right that I want to specialize, just that I am not sure still but open to anything. What do you guys think? Is this hurting my app? Any advice is appreciated thank you!

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[AlteredScale]

No it won't. The best thing to do is to have some experience shadowing an OMM doc.

IMO shadowing is mainly for your benefit. It's good to see varying specialties but the biggest thing is getting exposure to inpatient, outpatient, and surgical areas his to know how these docs function in these settings.

It will not hurt your app.


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[HopefulDoc91]

No it won't. The best thing to do is to have some experience shadowing an OMM doc.

IMO shadowing is mainly for your benefit. It's good to see varying specialties but the biggest thing is getting exposure to inpatient, outpatient, and surgical areas his to know how these docs function in these settings.

It will not hurt your app.


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I definitely have a good amount of inpatient & outpatient exposure from my shadowing & working. As for surgical, I do work for an orthopedic surgeon but primarily in the office, he doesn't allow students to shadow him in the OR. But I still work with surgical patients and helping them prepare for surgery etc. Do you think this is OK?

Also, should I search for an OMM doc to shadow then? And how would I go about finding one?

Thanks so much for the advice

 

[HopefulDoc91]

Any chance I could get your input @Goro ? Anything you could add I would really appreciate, thanks!

 

[lnguyen1412]

I know how much DO emphasizes primary care, so would it hurt my app if I don't shadow a primary care doc? I worked with radiologists for 1 year, and I have been working for an orthopedic surgeon for 7 months now. I also shadowed a cardiologist, pulmonologist, and infectious disease doctor. I didn't put in my personal statement or any secondaries that I wanted to do primary care...but I said I was open to the idea. To be honest, I don't want to do primary care, I would like to specialize. Hence my shadowing experience. I have mentioned that I am interested in working in underserved areas, since I currently work in a health professional shortage area and I have seen how badly some of our patients need access to other doctors.

But is this hurting me? I haven't been out right that I want to specialize, just that I am not sure still but open to anything. What do you guys think? Is this hurting my app? Any advice is appreciated thank you!

It definitely won't hurt

 

[HopefulDoc91]

It definitely won't hurt

Are you saying it won't hurt to add primary care shadowing, or it doesn't hurt my application that I don't have it?

 

[Grannywang]

At some of the more established schools only like 52% of the students end up in primary care so they know not everyone is interested in PC. I never shadowed any specialists because I don't know any but if I could, I would just to get more exposure. Likewise if you can find someone in PC to shadow, I'd take the opportunity because like @AlteredScale said it's mainly for your benefit.

 

[AlteredScale]

I definitely have a good amount of inpatient & outpatient exposure from my shadowing & working. As for surgical, I do work for an orthopedic surgeon but primarily in the office, he doesn't allow students to shadow him in the OR. But I still work with surgical patients and helping them prepare for surgery etc. Do you think this is OK?

Also, should I search for an OMM doc to shadow then? And how would I go about finding one?

Thanks so much for the advice

The priority should be to get OMM experience. You don't need experience in al those areas I listed but it's just nice for you.


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[Goro]

I know how much DO emphasizes primary care, so would it hurt my app if I don't shadow a primary care doc? I worked with radiologists for 1 year, and I have been working for an orthopedic surgeon for 7 months now. I also shadowed a cardiologist, pulmonologist, and infectious disease doctor. I didn't put in my personal statement or any secondaries that I wanted to do primary care...but I said I was open to the idea. To be honest, I don't want to do primary care, I would like to specialize. Hence my shadowing experience. I have mentioned that I am interested in working in underserved areas, since I currently work in a health professional shortage area and I have seen how badly some of our patients need access to other doctors.

But is this hurting me? I haven't been out right that I want to specialize, just that I am not sure still but open to anything. What do you guys think? Is this hurting my app? Any advice is appreciated thank you!

It won't hurt. Nothing wrong with wanting to specialize....just keep an open mind. You never know when Peds might have you fall in love!

 

[HopefulDoc91]

The priority should be to get OMM experience. You don't need experience in al those areas I listed but it's just nice for you.


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Okay I understand, thank you!

 

[HopefulDoc91]

It won't hurt. Nothing wrong with wanting to specialize....just keep an open mind. You never know when Peds might have you fall in love!

Thank you!! Funny you mention it because I have actually been thinking about Peds a little bit haha

 

[Goro]

Thank you!! Funny you mention it because I have actually been thinking about Peds a little bit haha

Ya see?????