In your PS, is it questionable to use a pseudonym for a doctor you observed?

[skrolls]

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I observed an older doctor doing procedures many times while in the ER but didn't really know him well enough to use his real name in my personal statement. So I gave him a pseudonym when I talk about one of my experiences there. Most people that I've showed my PS to didn't comment on it but a couple people who are healthcare professionals said it might not be a good thing to do, or at the very least I might want to clarify that it's a pseudonym. Looking for additional opinions on this. Thanks!

 

[ortnakas]

I'd make clear it's a pseudonym, personally.
"When I shadowed 'Dr. House', I learned that..."

 

[pocillopora]

That's definitely ok. For mine I just said "Dr. H would..."

 

[LizzyM]

I've always found it peculiar to see a pseudonym for a physician. That said, I would concur that an initial is better than "Dr. House" in case someone thinks that you are making a joke about learning what doctors do by watching a TV drama.

Are you going to name the physician in the experience section under the category of shadowing? If so, what is the point of shielding his name in the PS? If it is because you are going to say something negative about him or the care he delivered, then it is better to find a different topic for your PS. Also avoid a theme where the physician is a hero or receives great accolades with no counterbalance; practicing medicine is not all rainbows and sunshine.

 

[ortnakas]

I've always found it peculiar to see a pseudonym for a physician. That said, I would concur that an initial is better than "Dr. House" in case someone thinks that you are making a joke about learning what doctors do by watching a TV drama.

Whoops-- was trying to make a joke pre-caffeine and suggest something that was clearly a pseudonym-- did not want to recommend that OP actually calls this person Dr. House!

That said, I'll definitely defer to your expertise on when pseudonyms are appropriate.

 

[TBV]

Odd I just used the physician's name in my PS. Didn't think he'd care it's not like I was making something up

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

I just said "the physician" or "the surgeon". No real need to mention actual names.

 

[skrolls]

I've always found it peculiar to see a pseudonym for a physician. That said, I would concur that an initial is better than "Dr. House" in case someone thinks that you are making a joke about learning what doctors do by watching a TV drama.

Are you going to name the physician in the experience section under the category of shadowing? If so, what is the point of shielding his name in the PS? If it is because you are going to say something negative about him or the care he delivered, then it is better to find a different topic for your PS. Also avoid a theme where the physician is a hero or receives great accolades with no counterbalance; practicing medicine is not all rainbows and sunshine.

For the particular experience I was a clinical research volunteer in an ER for a class. I used a pseudonym because I didn't really have a personal relationship with him, and rarely directly interacted with him aside from occasionally asking him questions. Most of my time observing him was when he was directing or teaching younger residents on very sick/injured patients in the resuscitation rooms. Not planning on saying anything negative about anyone, just what I admired about him and the other doctors there.

 

[LizzyM]

My brother serves in an urgent visit clinic at a big university (not at my school). An essay on the characteristics of an excellent physician were, at one time, a secondary prompt at my school. Someone wrote about interacting with my brother and mentioned him by name! I was so tickled I might not have treated that applicant in a completely unbiased way. 😉

 

[sharpstickie]

I mentioned a specific Doctor's name but I made sure to ask permission first.

 

[MrLogan13]

There's no real need to use a name.


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