Medical interview common questions Flashcards

Question

Why do we wear shoes?

Answer 1

Another esoteric-sounding question that requires you to think logically about something that we usually take for granted Though it seems quite arresting, this question isn’t too bad if you think about the practicalities, which is the key to a lot of creativity questions Shoes are a social norm. Most people have never questioned why we wear shoes because that is what is generally accepted. Not wearing shoes is considered abnormal. But was it always this way? And what could have led to it becoming so? Perhaps it made walking long distances and hunting easier, centuries ago From a functional perspective, shoes are protective. They prevent injury. Some shoes, like steel toe work shoes, are designed specifically for this function. What other functions require specific shoes? Hiking, climbing etc. Or sport? Consider different cultures. Don’t only think about your perspective — this is part of what can help you stand out. There are many groups of people in other parts of the world that actually don’t wear shoes Of course, there are also aesthetics to consider. People put a lot of thought into how they look and this extends to their shoes. Many women wear shoes they consider uncomfortable to increase their height or make their legs look longer From here, you could contrast the functional reasons you touched upon earlier with the recent (first world) shift towards aesthetics. Be creative! Common Mistakes: Feeling inhibited. Sometimes questions like this, where there are no short and simple answers, make people retreat into a shell. They are afraid to speak about ideas, rather than certainties, at the risk of sounding silly Not practising this kind of discussion. By getting used to thinking this way, either with friends, or around the table at a family meal, you can train you mind to think creatively

Answer 2

First things first, what is euthanasia? This is the term given to describe actions taken to deliberately end someone’s life, often to relieve suffering. There are many different types of euthanasia, such as active euthanasia, passive euthanasia, voluntary euthanasia and involuntary euthanasia Establish the fact that this is a complicated issue with lots of shades of grey and no straightforward answer While weighing up both sides, think of the four pillars of medical ethics: justice, autonomy, benevolence and non-maleficience. All of these play a pivotal role in this issue Start with legality, if you know it, since it is the most clear cut. Currently, in the UK active euthanasia and assisted suicide is against the law. However in Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland, active euthanasia is legal. In countries such as Switzerland and Germany, active euthanasia is illegal but assisted suicide and passive euthanasia are both legal. Make sure keep up to date with any changes Euthanasia allows the patient to exercise their right to decide their own fate and end suffering (benevolence). However, arguments against euthanasia include the principles of the Hippocratic Oath which state a doctor shall “do no harm”, and the related ethical concept of non-maleficence Assessing mental capacity and competency of patients (Mental Capacity Act 2005) is crucial in the discussion of euthanasia, as legalisation of this could potentially put vulnerable adults at risk Some cases of patients who have travelled abroad for these end of life services have also been a hot topic in the media so it would be good to reference any of these cases that you are aware of The discussion of euthanasia is a sensitive one and thus it is always best to look to the ethical guidelines provided by the GMC Common Mistakes: Starting with a strong view point one way or the other. It is important to establish that this is a complicated issue with arguments for both sides and to present these in a balanced way Not using the four pillars of ethics. These should be referenced throughout balancing of the two sides of the argument

Answer 3

Start by acknowledging that this is a complex issue with two sides and lots of shades of grey. Then walk through both in a balanced way, showing an appreciated of the four pillars Is it legal? Under current UK legislation (The Abortion Act) an abortion can only be carried out if certain criteria are met: the pregnancy is in its first 24 weeks, it is carried out in a hospital or licenced clinic and two doctors must agree that an abortion would cause less damage to a woman’s physical or mental health than continuing the pregnancy. In rare situations, an abortion may also be allowed to be carried out after 24 weeks If we consider patient autonomy, there is a case to say that patients should have the right to have an abortion if they wish Considering the ethical concept of beneficence, first, it is important to have the best interests of the mother at the centre of their healthcare (both psychological and physical well-being). Secondly, an abortion may be the most loving thing to do in the case of a foetus with severe deformities, as this presents issues with quality of life Non-maleficence – it is important to prevent any harm and thus considering the harm to both the mother and the foetus is important in the discussion of abortion. It is also important to consider the sanctity of life and some, based on this principle, may disagree with abortion. But it’s quite subjective As with all consultations, confidentiality must be upheld in the case of abortions The discussion of abortion is a sensitive one and thus it is always best to look to the ethical guidelines provided by the GMC Common Mistakes: Starting with a strong view point one way or the other. It is important to establish that this is a complicated issue with arguments for both sides and to present these in a balanced way Not using the four pillars of ethics. These should be referenced throughout balancing of the two sides of the argument

Answer 4

In a scenario like this there are many ethical issues involved. It is important to look at each one individually, in order to fully understand and weigh up the scenario First of all, if we consider the duty of the doctor. In a case like this is it crucial the doctor fully informs the patient of the benefits of the treatments and the risks associated with not having the treatment If we consider the concept of patient’s autonomy, then doctors must respect the decision made by a patient. However, patient autonomy is not absolute, particularly if a patient is not competent Beneficence and non-maleficence often link together and this is no exception. The most beneficial thing to do may be to provide the patient with the treatment they need. However, if this is against the patient’s wishes this might do more harm than good. Whatever the patient’s decision may be, doctors must continue to provide the best care in the patient’s best interests. Always be clear that you would adhere to the GMC’s guidelines Common Mistakes: Not knowing about autonomy. You need to be clear about all of the four pillars of ethics. This is a key one that trips many people up

Answer 5

As usual, we start by using the four pillars of medical ethics as a framework Currently, under UK Legislation, those under the age of 16 are not able to give consent to sexual activity. It is always important to consult the GMC and their ethical guidelines on young people and sexual activity for the most up to date information If we begin with the duty of the doctor, they must fully inform the patient of the benefits of the treatments/protected sex and the risks associated with not having the treatment/unprotected sex. The doctor also has a duty to society to ensure the safety of their patients and ensure child protection and safety Therefore, competence is a major aspect to consider. Establishing and assessing competence (Gillick competence) is also very important in a case like this to ensure sexual abuse is not taking place and for child safety Autonomy – doctors must respect the decision made by a patient. However, patient autonomy is not absolute, again linking to assessing competence, which will be an important part of this answer Beneficence and non-maleficence – doctors must continue to provide the best care in the patient’s best interests, and their personal views must not interfere with their professional duties It is also important to consider confidentiality and the effect on the doctor-patient relationship, which is built upon trust Common Mistakes: Being judgemental. Saying something like ‘14-year-olds shouldn’t be engaging in sexual activity in the first place’ is a red flag

Answer 6

This is a complex scenario and it’s important to consider and apply each of the four pillars The doctor must fully inform the patient of the risks associated with not disclosing this information and encourage them patient to disclose this information to the partner, themselves. The doctor also has a duty to protect and ensure the safety of society (justice) and, based on these grounds, may choose to make a disclosure to the patient’s partner about the patient’s HIV status. However, this would be a last option and the doctor would need to inform the patient of their actions. Autonomy – this links to patient’s autonomy, as doctors must respect the decision made by a patient. But patient autonomy is not absolute, particularly in a case like this where society/another patient is at risk. In this case, confidentiality may be broken, which may also affect the doctor- patient relationship Beneficence and non-maleficence – doctors must continue to provide the best care in the patient’s best interests. When making a disclosure, it is important to weigh up the benefits (protecting another patient’s health) against harm (could affect the doctor-patient relationship and future disclosures) You can say to the interview panel that it is always important and helpful to consult the GMC’s ethical guidelines in cases like this Common Mistakes: Not knowing but claiming you do. If you are aware of the above that’s great. If you think you are, then say that you are not sure but you think it is the case. If you don’t know the legalities then be honest about it Using common sense. You can’t just come up with a common sense reply, like ‘logically you should tell the partner’. You have to be aware of the legal ramifications

Answer 7

Empathy is understanding another person’s feelings or situation, and imagining what it might be like to experience these things yourself Phrases such as ‘being in another’s shoes’, ‘seeing things through their eyes’, ‘imagining their frame of reference’, or similar all suggest empathy Distinguish empathy from sympathy. The former is deeper and more involved than the latter, which merely acknowledges another person’s problems or feelings It involves effective person-to-person communication skills as well as the ability to understand what another person is feeling Use examples from your daily life or medical work experience to illustrate when you have shown this or seen it in action Common Mistakes: Thinking that empathy is pretending to know what someone is feeling like in order to make him or her feel better about the situation Believing that being empathetic is an easy way of getting someone to trust you Thinking that empathy is a skill to be utilised only in professional settings, and not in everyday life

Answer 8

When a healthcare professional tries to imagine things from the patient’s point of view it can reveal to them ways to improve their care which they may not have considered before A patient will find it easier to discuss their concerns with somebody who is caring empathetically for them and has taken the time to try to understand what they are going through A patient’s feelings, concerns, expectations and ideas are just as important as a presenting a physical complaint. By engaging with them, a healthcare professional can better understand these things, and ultimately provide better care An empathetic healthcare professional will help to make the patient feel at ease, and that they are valued Empathy can help to break down the perceived barriers between the patient and the many healthcare professionals he or she may see, and help to make what can be a daunting and seemingly anonymous environment more comfortable. Common Mistakes Not having a good understanding of empathy. Confusing it with sympathy, or that it is only used when the doctor thinks the patient is depressed Being empathetic means I tick the box of being a nice doctor Thinking too pragmatically. For example, saying that empathy is important because it gives doctors a good feedback rating

Answer 9

Put yourself in the shoes of the patient. What might they be worried about? They have been through a procedure which they may have found uncomfortable and, through no fault of their own, are being asked to go through it again They also might be worried about the privacy issues involved around the loss of their blood sample You would need to speak to them clearly and politely but make it absolutely clear what has happened so they are left in no doubt what has occurred. Do not use euphemisms Put yourself in their shoes; listen to their concerns and what they have to say You might say: ‘I am very sorry that you have to have more blood taken’ You could also consider saying: ‘I can imagine that you are feeling frustrated about this, as you have been waiting and have not yet received results for your blood tests’ And: ‘Please be reassured that we will not share the results of your test with anyone outside your medical team. I can see that it might be worrying that your last test was lost, but we take confidentiality very seriously and will do our absolute best to make sure that this is preserved’ Common Mistakes: Saying things in a curt, impolite or distant manner. This is likely to further frustrate a patient who is already going through a lot Using euphemisms like ‘a small hiccup’ which might mislead or confuse the patient about what has happened Blaming other people. Even if it is somebody else’s fault, this will not make the patient feel any better

Answer 10

Working in healthcare (e.g. a hospital) can be very stressful and demanding. One’s colleagues may need support from somebody who understands this well Extra-professional circumstances can impact on somebody’s ability to do their job, and if they choose to share problems or concerns with you then it is important to show empathy and try to understand what they are going through A better understanding of one another improves a team’s ability to work well together and therefore improves patient care Working in a hospital can be traumatic or distressing, and this may affect team members personally. Having empathetic colleagues can make them feel more positive and that they are well supported in their work Common Mistakes: Citing going to the pub with members of the team to build better bonds between you as an empathetic solution Saying that working in medicine gives you no time for social activities, so you might as well be friendly with the people you work with

Answer 11

Although not the principal medium for learning about empathy, a lecture may give some insightful points about the effect that being empathetic has on patients, or ideas for how to go about conducting a good patient interview However, empathy is intrinsically people-based, and the skill of being empathetic is therefore developed over time spent with people in one’s role as a medical student By watching other senior healthcare professionals, one may realise the pitfalls in one’s own approach to interacting with patients Common Mistakes: Thinking a lecture could give you the stock phrases you need to seem empathetic Assuming empathy cannot be actively improved upon or learnt about Viewing empathy as less important than things like anatomy or physiology

Answer 12

This is quite a nice question because it gives you a chance to show off without looking too boastful, since you are technically speaking about other peoples’ opinions of you Use three different words that demonstrate a large breadth of your qualities — this is your chance to show what you have to offer You know the kind of thing that makes a good doctor by now, so those are the ones to use, e.g. determined, creative, empathetic, team player, driven For every quality you give, also say why you think your peers would say that about you, using evidence to support your supposed strengths Example: my sports coach always describes me as one of the most driven and determined players on our team because of the way I balance academics and other extra-curriculars, such as my volunteering, alongside my sport Common Mistakes: Missing the opportunity to highlight core strengths. This is an opportunity to showcase qualities that specifically make you a good doctor and should be used that way Saying that you don’t know. This would highlight a serious lack of awareness, not to mention empathy, which is crucial to being a good doctor

Answer 13

Many people never think about this. But you should It is something that requires careful consideration. It’s important that you choose something which isn’t debilitating (e.g. fear of blood) and that you have worked on to counter Example: I was not very confident with public speaking and found it intimidating. While it is still quite difficult for me, I have joined the debating society so that I can get better in this area and my peers say they have noticed a great improvement Common Mistakes: Not thinking about this in advance. This means if you get asked, there is a chance you will either struggle to think of one, look arrogant, or under pressure come out with something that is quite debilitating Stating something that isn’t really a weakness, like working too hard

Answer 14

Being a medical student and then a doctor is extremely stressful. You have to show that you know this, referring to work experience and people you’ve spoken to Example: from my work experience and talking to many medical students here at your university, I understand that a career in Medicine will be very stressful You don’t want to imply that you have the secret formula to nullify stress, but you should suggest some things you do to manage it. You can start by giving some of the general activities that help you feel less stressed Example: whenever I start to feel stressed I find that what helps me deal with it the most is doing yoga/going for a walk/making a plan of action Then explain how this has helped you in a real life situation Example: this really helped me during exam season and even throughout the year when I’ve had to juggle and balance academics alongside my extracurricular activities You might also want to think of how you would manage stress in a confined environment, like an operating theatre (e.g. deep breaths, asking for help) Explain that stress management is something you want to continue working on throughout Medical School and your career Common Mistakes: Underestimating the amount of stress involved in being a doctor and therefore showing a lack of awareness about the career Acknowledging that Medicine is stressful but implying that you will be able to deal with that quite easily

Answer 15

Feel free to make clear that you are really determined to use your own hard work to achieve any goals Having said this, it is crucial that you also recognise that it is important to know your limits and when you may need help Going to Medical School is about learning, so knowing when to seek the counsel of others is important We all have different strengths and weaknesses and it’s important to be aware of this Example: when I was in charge of organising a major school charity event, there was no way it would have been as successful as it was if I didn’t have the help of my team. Example: from my work experience, I understand that as a doctor, it is impossible to expect to be able to do everything yourself. There will be times where you will need to ask for help, whether that’s from the nurses on the ward or other colleagues Remember: teamwork is an essential part of succeeding in Medicine Common Mistakes: Seeing asking for help as a sign of weakness. In fact, it is often quite the opposite. Knowing when to get help and using it to improve is seen as a strength If you are too insular and unwilling to ask for help you may struggle at Medical School and — worse still — make bad mistakes as doctor

Answer 16

Give a strength that is one of the core traits required to make a great doctor – and one that you can back up with compelling evidence Common examples include being a good leader or listener, having excellent communication skills or being a real team player Example: I’m a great team player. This is something that has helped me excel in a lot of different situations, from helping our sports team win important matches to organising a major school charity event Refer to examples from you work experience which show how this trait translates into a medical environment Common Mistake: Saying something not relevant to Medicine. Being a good cook, for instance, is not relevant to Medicine Saying too little for fear of sounding arrogant. You have to tell them about your strengths, so get used to this by practising with friends and family

Answer 17

Briefly set the scene: what type of team, what were you doing, what was the goal and what was the outcome? After this has been established, talk about your role. They want to find out what you contributed so be specific. You need to say not just what you did, but how you did it Example: if you contributed to the smooth communication within the team, maybe it was because you set up a group chat, you addressed each member directly and checked up on each member’s individual progress, encouraging everyone to post their progress and striving to keep everyone in the loop Have a set example of a time you have shown good teamwork. Ideally, it should have a resolution to showcase your problem-solving skills Then conclude by stating what you learnt about the qualities of a successful team. This shows that you are reflective. You can go a step further by relating it to Medicine and how the learning points can be applied in future, at medical school and beyond Common Mistakes: Taking too long describing the example. Everything you say should be made relevant by either reflecting your individual good qualities or by showing your understanding of the important factors of team work Not focusing on right things. Your gold Duke of Edinburgh award is less important than the skills/qualities you’ve learnt that can translate to Medicine

Answer 18

Again, start with the basics Briefly set the scene: what type of team, what were you doing, what was the goal and what was the outcome? Then talk about your role specifically. Though the team did not reach its objective, they want to find out what you contributed. There will still be positives to take from it Show that you are able to reflect, learn and improve. Say what went wrong and why. However, don’t be over-critical of team mates or blame people Say what you would change next time in order to achieve a more desirable outcome Translate these lessons into something applicable to your future career as a medical student and a doctor Common Mistakes: Being too self-deprecating. This is not a pity party. You need to show introspection i.e. that you’ve learnt from past mistakes, and that you are confident of correcting them in future Placing blame. Constructively criticise the failings of the team instead. You need to be able see the fault in others but also be able to appreciate that the failure of a team is collective

Answer 19

Think of this in advance. Draw on examples from those who have inspired you as a leader – be it a teacher, a sports captain or a doctor you saw lead a team on work experience When going through the points that you feel make a great leader, bring them to life by saying why they are so important and by using examples of times you have personally shown, or at least seen, these traits in action Useful sources of examples that can be applied to the below checklist are Multi-disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in a hospital setting, sports teams or group activities, like Duke of Edinburgh. But you should have plenty of others as well Great leaders are usually effective communicators. They get across the team’s objectives to its members in a clear way that gives people a sense of purpose An effective leader reaches out to all members of the team and makes clear that he/she cares about the progress of all members of the team. They are inclusive Organisation is essential, since managing a team requires being on top of exactly what needs to be done, when and by whom Delegation is important. A strong leader knows his/her team members, what are their strengths and their weaknesses, and is able to delegate fairly Ultimately, a strong leader takes responsibility. They will not place blame on their team or its members in tough times Remember: use an example of a time you were a team leader or a time you witnessed good leadership to make your answer stand out Common Mistakes: Just listing qualities without reasons or examples. For every trait, make sure that you say why it is important and when you’ve seen / done it Focusing too much on the individual leader. The sign of a really good leader is actually the ability to maximise the output of their team

Answer 20

Again, you will need to think about this in advance so you can arm yourself not only with key traits but also reasons and examples In advance of the interview, make a list of all the times you were a member of a team and tease out the things you did well – and you could have done better It is very important that a good team member can take guidance. This is also an essential trait of being a medical student. Think of times, perhaps from work experience, where you were given feedback and took it on-board to improve your performance A good team member understands their role as part of a larger team. You will often be working in a team (like an MDT), which is in turn a small part of a much bigger team: the NHS. Show that you can work for the greater good and believe in doing so Dedication should be a given. This is also a chance to showcase a crucial quality. When working a week of nights, are you the one who pulls the team through or holds them back? A key to being able to work well with others is compromise. You can tie this to lots of other desirable traits, like empathy Common Mistakes: Believing that being a team member is less desirable than being a leader. You need to be both, but it is important to note that as a medical student and starting out as a junior doctor, you will be part of a team more often than you will be leading one Thinking that being told to do something different is a sign of weakness. Use examples of times when you were told to do something differently, took it on board and really improved your performance as a result

Answer 21

You should tell them that you are both — and this should also be true To be a great medical student, who need to have leadership quality but also be able to take instruction and contribute to the greater good Provide personal examples of times when you have been a leader and a follower to demonstrate that this is true, offering an outline of the situation, the rationale and the ultimate outcome Leadership example: I took a leadership role within my school’s medical society. Attendance was low and people were not inspired to come any more. So I looked into some exciting topics and group activities online and worked with the teacher in charge to implement them. This led to numbers at society meetings doubling Teamwork example: when I was playing football for my school in the cup semi-final, our captain asked me to play out of position in the second half so we could protect a narrow lead. I knew this would limit my personal impact in the game but saw that the captain had the best interests of the team at heart and that he was right. I played more defensively and we progressed to the final Common Mistakes: Insisting that you are a leader, thinking this shows more strength. It is excellent if you have leadership qualities but you also need to be able to take instruction over the next six years of medical school and beyond Not having leadership examples. Some people have lots of teamwork examples but are shy and don’t consider themselves leaders. Think about times you really took the initiative. If there aren’t enough, work to develop these skills prior to interview

Answer 22

The important thing is that you have done as much work experience as possible. Medicine is such a diverse field, with so many different aspects and specialities that you should be really eager to see and experience as much you can You should have kept a reflective diary of your work experience. Before interview, you should go through this and extrapolate the key examples, reflect upon them and come up with clear and succinct ways of getting across what you saw and what you learnt Outline the type of experience you did, where it was and what you learnt, using specific case-by-case examples to highlight things like communication, teamwork etc. If you have multiple examples, give one of each Example: During my time in the hospital I worked in different departments with different specialities including oncology, cardiology and radiology. During my time in cardiology, I witnessed an emergency situation and it amazed me how the whole team came together, under the leadership of the doctor, to stablilise the patient Example: I organised work experience at my local GP surgery because primary care is such a fundamental part of the NHS and I was keen to see what healthcare in the community is like. One case that struck me was that of an elderly woman who spoke little English. The doctor was able to adapt to communicate with her in a clear and empathetic way Example: I really enjoyed my medical work experience and working closely with patients. This motivated me to start volunteering in an elderly care home, which I’ve been doing alongside my studies. Working there once a week has allowed me to form some close relationships with patients and understand their perspective Make it clear that you are not ending your experience after the interview. Say that because there is still so much to see, you’ve been busy organising some more work experience for the holidays Common Mistakes: Simply providing a checklist of placements you’ve done with no case examples or learning points. This will ultimately mean you did not make the most of the time you have invested doing all of these great things Being closed minded. Saying things like ‘I’m only interested in becoming a cardiologist so I only organised work experience in cardiology.’

Answer 23

From each of your work experiences, you will have learnt many new things about Medicine. No two days, even in the same GP surgery or the same hospital ward, would have been the same The danger here is almost having too much to say. So explain that while you have learnt an incredible amount, you would like to give an example of a key learning point from each of your placements Example: During my time working on the wards in the hospitals, I saw the concept of a ‘multi-disciplinary team’, something I’ve heard so much about, come to life right in front of my eyes. Witnessing the doctors, the nurses and the healthcare assistants all working together to provide a seamless healthcare service, personalised for each individual patient, was incredible Example: In the GP surgery, one of the key things that really stood out to me was the underlying importance of communication skills in the doctor-patient relationship. Seeing the GP deal with an angry patient and calming them down in a matter of minutes, really emphasised this Don’t be blindly positive and say that everything you saw seemed fantastic. Make sure you get across that you saw the hard side of being a doctor, that you appreciated it, but that you are still up for the challenge Example: throughout my work experience, I was also aware of the daily challenges doctors face. In every setting, whether it was in the GP practice or in the hospitals, the doctors worked very hard with very long days and faced many stressful situations. But speaking to the doctors, and seeing them overcome these obstacles, really inspired me. I understand that a career in medicine will not be easy, but after my work experience I am even more determined and motivated to pursue a career in this rewarding field. Common Mistakes: Not reflecting on learning points prior to the interview and having to do this in real time during the interview. It’s always apparent when this is the case. And, unfortunately, it means you will not make the most of your efforts. Keep a reflective diary Sugar coating. The interviewers won’t think you are being overly negative if you mention some of the harder challenges you saw. In fact, they will appreciate that you are going into Medicine with your eyes open Providing a list of unsubstantiated buzzwords as learning points. Saying ‘I saw the importance of teamwork, communication, empathy etc.’ without giving specific examples

Answer 24

Start by acknowledging the challenges involved in being a doctor. It is a stressful job and you need to demonstrate that you appreciate this From your work experience, you will have learnt that doctors are constantly faced with difficult situations and challenges In these situations, a doctor’s ability to be flexible, use their initiative, and adapt their communication skills to the present situation is what makes them stand out You should then outline a specific example, since this is what they have asked for, which you will have hopefully thought about prior to your interview Example: one particular incident that stood out to me was during my work experience in a GP surgery, where the GP had to deal with an extremely angry and aggressive patient/ break some bad news to a patient. This was challenging because¦ Then go on to outline the actions taken Example: I admired the way the doctor adapted his communication skills to the situation to calm the patient down/demonstrate empathy by relating to the specific set of circumstances Finally, extrapolate the key learning points and how you can apply them Example: this has made me value the importance of communication in the doctor-patient relationship even more. Since then, I, myself, have also tried to be more aware of the power of my communication skills in difficult situations and have really noticed the benefits of being flexible and adaptable with communication. Common Mistakes: Failure to be empathetic. Saying things like ‘the patient was being a nightmare’ show that you have not seen things from their point of view Focusing on the negatives. You want to establish the challenge and how it was dealt with. But don’t say anything that makes it seem like it has put you off being a doctor

Answer 25

As with all work experience, this will come down to how well you have reflected on what you have seen and done Make sure that you take note not just of how the doctors operate during your placements, but how the nurses and other healthcare professionals perform and how everyone comes together in a team effort Remember that the ultimate goal is to provide an excellent, efficient and seamless healthcare service, in the best interests of the patient There are some key qualities you are likely to have seen, so you can go through these, using actual examples for reinforcement Teamwork/Leadership example: one of the first things I noticed was the importance of inter-professional working and excellent team work amongst all the healthcare professionals. I admired the leadership skills of the doctor to effectively lead the team, ensuring each team member was valued and had a clear role. In one case¦ Communication example: Seeing how the doctors and nurses were able to adapt their communication skills to a given situation really highlighted the importance of adaptability and flexibility in healthcare. In one case¦ Ultimately, all of these skills are crucial in order to provide the best care for each individual patient and this should be the focus of your answer Common Mistakes: Failing to notice any important qualities from the nurses or other healthcare professional and only focusing on the important qualities in the doctors Giving a shopping list of qualities, without backing them up using examples and learning points

Answer 26

Make it clear that you understand that a career in Medicine is not an easy one and there are many challenges that doctors face on a daily basis Bring this point to life by using a personal example of a time when you saw something that seemed particularly stressful Example: for me, one of the most challenging aspects of my work experience was seeing a doctor have to deliver some bad news to a patient But then take the learning points from the situation Example: however, I was really inspired by the way the doctor dealt with this situation and this really opened my eyes to the importance of particular qualities which make a good doctor, such as communication and empathy Specifically mention that since your work experience you’ve taken time to reflect on this situation and have really made an effort to use what you’ve learnt to deal with other difficult situations/challenges you’ve come across Another challenge around work experience is actually getting it. If you had to ask over a hundred people or walk into twenty GP surgeries to get yours, mention this as it shows commitment and resilience Common Mistakes: Trivialising the harder parts of work experience under the misguided impression that highlighting the challenges will make you seem less committed Leaning too far the other way, and saying that seeing the challenges doctors face made you question your decision to study Medicine