Okay to use Patient's first name in PS?

[Tweetie_bird]

Hi guys,
I am adding the last touches to my PS, and needed some opinions. Would you say something like this?

My most memorable experience when working with K........ Or do I say "Kristin?" I had my PI read over the essay, and I had the patient's name in there, but he instead asked me to put "My most memorable experience when working with [the patient]......"

Which one would you do? I've heard both ways. Using K is more personal, while [the patient] protects anonimity. At the s ame time [the patient] detracts from the flow of my sentences.

Any thoughts?

Tweetie

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[moo]

Why don't you use a fake name?

 

[Tweetie_bird]

haha..never thought of that. I suppose "Kay" should work just fine?

 

[Scooby Doo]

It's only a first name for the love of sex!!!

Just use it!!!!!!

 

[2badr]

Magazines, newspaper articles and others use fake names all the time to protect the identity of the person. I have not had the opportunity to write a personal statement yet but...
If it was something deeply personal, I certainly would not use the patient's name - even with permission from the patient. You are right. When reading it, 'the patient' does sounds impersonal.So, a fake name seems the way to go. Just a thought.
And Scooby...hmmm,nevermind.

 

[simpleG]

tweetie,

i see no problem in using the first name only, as long as a last name is not included. a first name alone does not violate confidentiality, and if the real first name is special to you, then use it.

but if you use a fake name, please don't put quotation marks around it, i find it kinda tacky.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

hi guys,
thanks for the quick feedback. I suppose I'll just use the letter K, to denote her first name so my PI (who is also one of my recommenders) does not get PO'ed. That's cool, right? I don't want the traditional ad coms to get all confused about a person's name being "K."

Gosh, this whole AMCAS thing has given me this Anal Compulsive Disorder. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

[simpleG]

tweetie,

i see no problem in using the first name only, as long as a last name is not included. a first name alone does not violate confidentiality, and if the real first name is special to you, then use it.

but if you use a fake name, please don't put quotation marks around it, i find it kinda tacky.

 

[Scooby Doo]

I used plenty of dr's names in my personal statement and other places. I think a patient name if you're only using first name does not matter at all. Don't be so anal here. If you put "K" it seems corny...

 

[boo_yah]

Using the real first name is fine.