quick personal statement question

[B^2]

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this might be a silly question, but just wanted to make sure:
in writing the personal statement, if we include an andecotal story about a patient we once worked with -- is it acceptable to use first names or is this a no-no b/c of patient privacy issues?
thanks!

 

[sentrosi]

Hmm...it's probably okay, but if you can avoid it without sound completely bizarre (like if you say "the patient" a ton), then I would probably do that.

Or get the patient's permission possibly.

 

[63768]

i think you can use "john s." or "mr. smith" or "john." as long as it's not explicit.

 

[diosa428]

You can use just their first name, or refer to them as "Mr. M" or whatever. It's fine.

 

[ADeadLois]

this might be a silly question, but just wanted to make sure:
in writing the personal statement, if we include an andecotal story about a patient we once worked with -- is it acceptable to use first names or is this a no-no b/c of patient privacy issues?
thanks!

I'm doing the same, and I'm just saying things like "the boy". I know it helps to add details to enliven the story, but sometimes I think speaking in generalities like "the boy" makes it more universal. It's a subtle, subconscious of way of expressing your desire to treat all patients, not just the patient in your story (if that's what your story's about). It sounds lame, but it's a common rhetorical technique in literature.

 

[coralfangs]

it's not good to use last name?

the patient in my case was a WWII pilot, i don't think it's polite to use his first name

 

[sendwich]

I'm mentioning a doctor. Can I just write Dr. S or should I spell it out? or should I spell it out once and work with Dr S for the rest of the essay (also to save character space?)

 

[63768]

for a doctor, i'd put his entire last name. that way the adcom can refer to your activities if needed. plus, there's no violation of confidentiality there as long as the patient is not connected.

 

[sendwich]

I never actualy worked with him, he treated a close family member of mine....will putting his full last name help the essay flow better?

 

[mshollywoodmd]

it's not good to use last name?

the patient in my case was a WWII pilot, i don't think it's polite to use his first name

It should be okay to use a last name without a first name or vice versa but not a legal full name that could be deemed as a breach of confidentiality if you don't have the patients written consent. As far as Doctors are concerned you can use their names if your association is not dealing with the doctors own personal medical history...meaning if you researched, shadowed or something along those lines with a particular doctor using his name should be no problem ,however, if you saw a particular doctors personal medical chart and you wanted to put in your PS i.e., Dr. Phil It UP, whom I shadowed, had just been diagnosed with testicular cancer and I am determined to save his life..... in that context I would not use his name...just my $.02

 

[sendwich]

sorry, to clarify, the doctor i included in my ps was the doctor that treated a family member. i'm just wondering if instead of say "dr. smith", would "dr s" suffice/be okay or shoudl i spell out the whole thing?

 

[mshollywoodmd]

sorry, to clarify, the doctor i included in my ps was the doctor that treated a family member. i'm just wondering if instead of say "dr. smith", would "dr s" suffice/be okay or shoudl i spell out the whole thing?

I personally would spell out the whole thing, I think it would give more of a human element to your PS instead of making the doctor sound like a secret agent and I'm sure his/her name isn't so long that it will ultimately cause you a character shortage...remarking about your earlier post.