Coauthoring with a family member

[apumic]

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I'm curious what you all think of this.

I have the opportunity to coauthor a paper with a family member who is a physician. The paper will be an analysis of a series of case studies done at a major metropolitan community hospital. I do have one paper already in the submission process and a related series of presentations (at the local and national level). The paper I am working on getting published at this time is medically-related but not a case study or clinical research, per say. This family member and I share the same last name, so it would be, for instance, Dr. John Smith, MD, and Apumic Smith, BA, EMT-B, and whoever else is on the team (probably So-and-so Doe, RN, or something). I would guess I'd be the last author.

I also have plenty of LORs from other people (research PI for my presented study, professors I've TA'd or taught classes under, clinical supervisors, etc.)

 

[ronaldo23]

I'm curious what you all think of this.

I have the opportunity to coauthor a paper with a family member who is a physician. The paper will be an analysis of a series of case studies done at a major metropolitan community hospital. I do have one paper already in the submission process and a related series of presentations (at the local and national level). The paper I am working on getting published at this time is medically-related but not a case study or clinical research, per say. This family member and I share the same last name, so it would be, for instance, Dr. John Smith, MD, and Apumic Smith, BA, EMT-B, and whoever else is on the team (probably So-and-so Doe, RN, or something). I would guess I'd be the last author.

I also have plenty of LORs from other people (research PI for my presented study, professors I've TA'd or taught classes under, clinical supervisors, etc.)

I'd say definitely go for it. It's not like you have to qualify on applications that a family member coauthored it, other than the general citation. Sharing the last name could just look like a coincidence, especially if your last name is something like Smith. Even if you have a unique last name, I doubt anyone would notice or question this sort of thing. Multiple pubs look good.

 

[loveoforganic]

Do you mean the crappy (tongue in cheek) last author or the LAST AUTHOR?

If the former, take it if you can talk about it to some degree. If the latter, take it if you can reallllllllllllllllllllly talk about it.

 

[apumic]

Do you mean the crappy (tongue in cheek) last author or the LAST AUTHOR?

If the former, take it if you can talk about it to some degree. If the latter, take it if you can reallllllllllllllllllllly talk about it.

LOL, no, not "last author." I just doubt I'd be able to contribute as much as someone who works with these pts every day -- esp. someone w/ their MD, DO, Ph.D., PA-C, or even RN/NP. I'd be coming onto that unit to help with the data analysis. My experience is primarily psych, ED, and family medicine (out-pt). This would be critical care medicine, so it's a bit out of my realm. I know it's a great opportunity; I'm just curious what others think. It was presented to me as, "so, you're not taking classes next semester right? Well, then how would you like to coauthor a paper on [something he's been pretty interested in and has unique experience with] with me?" so I know the role would be time-consuming but I think it could be a great opportunity.

 

[Raziela]

I can't imagine how this wouldn't be a meaningful experience. You are still going to learn how to analyze clinical data and put together a scientific paper. I mean, you can tell ADCOMs how much you learned from working a multidisciplinary team (nurses/doctors/etc), but also how to do background research, how to prepare a manuscript, etc. Sure it is not the same as if you had the job or paper independently of your relative, but you still get an amazing experience that will probably confirm your desire to pursue medicine (and clinical research?).

 

[Musclemass]

You run the risk of adcom people seeing it as a case of EC padding, thinking that you're trying too hard. I wouldn't take the chance. Minor potential plus, big potential minus.

 

[loveoforganic]

LOL, no, not "last author." I just doubt I'd be able to contribute as much as someone who works with these pts every day -- esp. someone w/ their MD, DO, Ph.D., PA-C, or even RN/NP. I'd be coming onto that unit to help with the data analysis. My experience is primarily psych, ED, and family medicine (out-pt). This would be critical care medicine, so it's a bit out of my realm. I know it's a great opportunity; I'm just curious what others think. It was presented to me as, "so, you're not taking classes next semester right? Well, then how would you like to coauthor a paper on [something he's been pretty interested in and has unique experience with] with me?" so I know the role would be time-consuming but I think it could be a great opportunity.

Yeah, I'd drop other EC's if necessary to take it. Sounds like a great experience 👍

 

[Potatoman1800]

Take it. Take every publication spot you can. I had a friend in undergrad that worked with his old brother who was in med school and got 2 pubs from that experience.