Case Studies in Your Personal Statement: Changing Names?

[music2doc]

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In a narrative PS, it seems that using names in the stories (case studies) helps draw the reader in. I would also think it might facilitate talking about cases during the interview. However, I know I would not want to use my pts' actual first names. As of now, I have changed each name and placed a * before the names (e.g., *Anna) the first time I use it (just like many articles do); however, I do not want to write at the end
* Names protected to protect patient privacy.

Do you think 1) the *s are necessary (or would it be assumed that the names were likely changed) and 2) that adcoms will infer that the * means the name has been changed?

Also, do you think it's okay to mention the hospital or facility (e.g., clinic) that I saw the pt in? I am not giving dates (although they could be inferred from the EC list, I suppose). Creating the setting for each story seems like it would help frame the event and draw the reader in.

Thanks!

 

[cowsgomuon]

In a narrative PS, it seems that using names in the stories (case studies) helps draw the reader in. I would also think it might facilitate talking about cases during the interview. However, I know I would not want to use my pts' actual first names. As of now, I have changed each name and placed a * before the names (e.g., *Anna) the first time I use it (just like many articles do); however, I do not want to write at the end
* Names protected to protect patient privacy.

Do you think 1) the *s are necessary (or would it be assumed that the names were likely changed) and 2) that adcoms will infer that the * means the name has been changed?

One way to get around this is by using patient initials instead - this doesn't give away HIPAA protected information, and it will be clear to the adcoms that you've changed (well, hidden) the patient's name.

 

[music2doc]

One way to get around this is by using patient initials instead - this doesn't give away HIPAA protected information, and it will be clear to the adcoms that you've changed (well, hidden) the patient's name.

Thanks. That's true, but at the same time, it loses that prized narrative feel. I suppose I could, though....

Anyone else have any thoughts as well? Alternative solutions or maybe it's ok as-is?

 

[Whatyousay]

Don't even bother with the asterisk (it wastes characters). Just say something like Patient S did this, Patient B had this, etc.

 

[NightGod]

Or just call them all Jane and John, that would work, too.

 

[mauberley]

You must use the name "Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabbadoo."'

 

[Hoya2009]

Thanks. That's true, but at the same time, it loses that prized narrative feel. I suppose I could, though....

Anyone else have any thoughts as well? Alternative solutions or maybe it's ok as-is?

Who are you, Franz Kafka?
What narrative feel do you lose by using initials or referring to them as Patient S? You need to ask yourself: does doing this thing have any effect, at all, on me getting in to medical school? I didn't even use Patient S, I just said patients...

Just don't use their full name, DOB and address while attaching their photo and prints to your secondary.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Put their name in quotations.

 

[sk8ngli]

I think the poster has a point about narrative feel. The whole point of my PS is that I see my patients as people not just homeless bums. Thus, calling my patient Patient A would seem to lose that effect.

I thought about initials, but it didn't flow as well. So, I called him Daniel. If I don't get into med school because I changed a patient's name to Daniel and didn't waste characters to say that I changed his name, I'll just assume that it was really because I have a low MCAT...

 

[boobelle]

Thanks. That's true, but at the same time, it loses that prized narrative feel. I suppose I could, though....

Anyone else have any thoughts as well? Alternative solutions or maybe it's ok as-is?

Use initials--it's common practice, will make it obvious to readers you're honoring patient confidentiality (scoring points), and is less disruptive than the asterisk (which will interrupt narrative style). An alternative is Mr. A or Ms. X, which is considered more respectful than Patient A or X.

As far as narrative flow, keep in mind that your readers will be MDs who have been reading case studies with patient initials for years...what's awkward to you is actually common medical narrative style, and will flow for your readers who are accustomed to initials.

 

[45408]

Just use initials, and make those up while you're at it. All your patients should be JB and TJ.

 

[karayraisu]

IMO, reading about Anna*, John*, Jane* is a lot more distracting than reading initials.

For my PS, I used Mr. X, Ms. C...etc. I thought it looked stylistically a lot better and also didn't detract from the flow as much as using Patient X or simply "C." It worked well.

 

[Freigeist]

I used "Jane Doe", if it's a guy use "John Doe"

 

[Web MD]

Between Mr. MD and Mr. DO, who got an STD from Ms. BJ? Whoa, I guess initials really do draw the reader in more. But honestly, how will anyone know if you use a patient's real name? If anything people would assume that you changed the names, so using their real names is the safest, HIPPA friendliest thing you can do.

 

[jchap]

I wrote about a few patients I met while volunteering at a children's hospital. I just changed their names to other names that I liked. If someone asks, I'll say, "I just changed their names to other names that I liked."