Medicine interview Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded A+
1. How would you define empathy to someone who does not
know what it means? correct answer: Ability to understand another persons problem
or feeling
Not pretending
Not just for professional life use everyday
Ditterent than sympathy just acknowledging
problem Ettective communication
2. Why is it important for medical professionals to be empathetic
towards their patients? correct answer: Can reveal ways to improve care
Patient finds it easier to discuss issues
Break down barriers perceived
3. How would you explain to a patient that they need to have
another blood sample taken, as the results of the last test having been
lost? correct answer: Understand their concerns about privacy
Speak clearly and politely- leave no
doubt Listen to their concerns
Apologise don't blame others
4. Why should members of a healthcare team show empathy
towards one another as well as towards their patients? correct answer:
Work in healthcare can be stressful Colleagues may need support
Better understanding improves team work
5. Is the practice of being an empathetic healthcare professional
something that you can learn in a lecture? correct answer: Empathy is
intrinsically people based
Developed when spending time with people
Lectures can give insight to ettect of empathy
6. Which is more important in Medicine, being empathetic or being
sympathet- ic? correct answer: Doctors need to deliver best possible care
,Through academic critical reasoning or
communication skills Sympathy is acknowledging
impact
Empathy is understanding how the impact would make the patient
feel. Both equally important -one can't exist without the other
,7. As a doctor, how would you deal with a parent who has brought
their child into accident and emergency and is angry about them
having to wait a long time to be seen? correct answer: Doctors can encounter
diflcult situations
Important to empathise
ICE - ideas, concerns and
expectations Listen to provide
appropriate support
8. What would you say to a female patient who is scared to get the
HPV vaccine which protects against cervical cancer? correct answer: Listen to
which aspects worry them
Explain what the vaccine is and it's
importance Adjust communication so they
can understand Don't force your opinions
respect patient autonomy.
9. As a recently-qualified junior doctor, you are given the chance to
perform your first unsupervised colonoscopy. During the procedure,
the colonoscope perforates the colon, resulting in the patient
becoming acutely unwell and dying just 2 days after. The patient's
family has now come to see you; how would you base your approach to the
situation? correct answer: Find a private comfortable environment without time
pressure or distractions
Tell the truth and be clear
Listen to any concerns and don't rush
Assure them of precautions taken to stop this
repeating Tell them you will be supervised
Let them know of counselling services
10. What thoughts and feelings will go through the head of a
patient feeling after having been told that their alcoholism has led
to irreversible liver dam- age? correct answer: Understand patient may feel guilty or
remorseful
, In shock that their actions had such
consequences Listen to any concerns and be
patient
11. What do you think you would find hardest about being a doctor?
correct answer: Breaking bad news
Watching a patient sutter
with Verified Answers Graded A+
1. How would you define empathy to someone who does not
know what it means? correct answer: Ability to understand another persons problem
or feeling
Not pretending
Not just for professional life use everyday
Ditterent than sympathy just acknowledging
problem Ettective communication
2. Why is it important for medical professionals to be empathetic
towards their patients? correct answer: Can reveal ways to improve care
Patient finds it easier to discuss issues
Break down barriers perceived
3. How would you explain to a patient that they need to have
another blood sample taken, as the results of the last test having been
lost? correct answer: Understand their concerns about privacy
Speak clearly and politely- leave no
doubt Listen to their concerns
Apologise don't blame others
4. Why should members of a healthcare team show empathy
towards one another as well as towards their patients? correct answer:
Work in healthcare can be stressful Colleagues may need support
Better understanding improves team work
5. Is the practice of being an empathetic healthcare professional
something that you can learn in a lecture? correct answer: Empathy is
intrinsically people based
Developed when spending time with people
Lectures can give insight to ettect of empathy
6. Which is more important in Medicine, being empathetic or being
sympathet- ic? correct answer: Doctors need to deliver best possible care
,Through academic critical reasoning or
communication skills Sympathy is acknowledging
impact
Empathy is understanding how the impact would make the patient
feel. Both equally important -one can't exist without the other
,7. As a doctor, how would you deal with a parent who has brought
their child into accident and emergency and is angry about them
having to wait a long time to be seen? correct answer: Doctors can encounter
diflcult situations
Important to empathise
ICE - ideas, concerns and
expectations Listen to provide
appropriate support
8. What would you say to a female patient who is scared to get the
HPV vaccine which protects against cervical cancer? correct answer: Listen to
which aspects worry them
Explain what the vaccine is and it's
importance Adjust communication so they
can understand Don't force your opinions
respect patient autonomy.
9. As a recently-qualified junior doctor, you are given the chance to
perform your first unsupervised colonoscopy. During the procedure,
the colonoscope perforates the colon, resulting in the patient
becoming acutely unwell and dying just 2 days after. The patient's
family has now come to see you; how would you base your approach to the
situation? correct answer: Find a private comfortable environment without time
pressure or distractions
Tell the truth and be clear
Listen to any concerns and don't rush
Assure them of precautions taken to stop this
repeating Tell them you will be supervised
Let them know of counselling services
10. What thoughts and feelings will go through the head of a
patient feeling after having been told that their alcoholism has led
to irreversible liver dam- age? correct answer: Understand patient may feel guilty or
remorseful
, In shock that their actions had such
consequences Listen to any concerns and be
patient
11. What do you think you would find hardest about being a doctor?
correct answer: Breaking bad news
Watching a patient sutter
