Question about Confidentiality in Personal Statement

[KatieJune]

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Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I used names for real patients I've worked with, to make it more personal, in my PS. I didn't actually use their real names (I changed them), but I don't have room to write this. Could admissions committees look at this like I'm breaking confidentiality (even though i'm not)? How have other people dealt with this?

 

[Mr Reddly]

HIPAA violation!!!
If you changed names, MAKE SURE THEY KNOW you changed the names.

 

[KatieJune]

I really don't have room to write that in my personal statement (plus it kind of ruins the flow). However, I did refer to a (fictitious) name in one of my post-secondary experiences. I wrote a note by that post-secondary experience that said all names in my application were changed for confidentiality. I'm worried they won't see it though and apply my comment to the personal statement. What do you think? I think the names really enhance the personal experiences I'm talking about so I don't want to cut them. Would (fake) initials be better?

 

[felipe5]

I think its good that you changed their name, and maybe instead of blatantly stating that (I agree that it would mess up the flow) perhaps you could use obviously fake names, such as "Mr. X" or "Ms. Y"

 

[Csv321]

I would suggest initials. My premed advisor suggested that I use references such as "patient x" although I can understand how this draws from the personal feeling you're trying to convey.

 

[Ms.Doctor]

Use of initials is frowned upon by professors at our school when we have been writing up practice H&Ps, so I wouldn't use them. I would suggest using Mr. X or Mr. Y or making room to put in a disclaimer. If it's a sentence at the beginning and if you put a space between it and the essay, it will not disrupt flow.

 

[kchan99]

I make up first names for patient stories. I use something like John or Mary...
Karin

 

[PMED99]

Always best to just ask the schools how you can do this. Sounds okay, but you never know.