Residency Interview Prep

Search, practice, and track progress. Press / to focus search, ↑/↓ to navigate cards, Enter to open guidance.

All Adaptability Advocacy Behavioral Burnout Career Career Goals Challenges Clinical Scenarios Communication Conflict Conflict Resolution Core Decision-Making Diversity & Inclusion Equity Ethical Ethics Experience Feedback Hypothetical scenarios Interprofessional Collaboration Introduction Leadership Miscellaneous Motivation Patient Encounter Patient Safety Personal Personal Attributes Professional Growth Professionalism Program Fit Quality Improvement Research Residency CV Resilience Resource Stewardship Self-Reflection Specialty Specialty-Specific Systems-Based Practice Teaching Teamwork Telemedicine Time Management Top Wellness
Showing 217–228 of 482

Imagine you are a radiology resident on weekend call, responsible for covering ultrasound cases while the attending is not immediately available. How would you approach this situation?

Specialty Specialty-Specific Hypothetical scenarios Behavioral
Why this question?
This question checks how well you can handle being on your own, make important decisions, and keep patients safe when your supervisor isn't around. It looks at your judgment, understanding of ultrasound, and how you communicate with others.
Best practices
  • Start by emphasizing patient safety and accurate diagnosis as your top priorities.
  • Outline a clear, step-by-step approach for interpreting ultrasounds, including reviewing patient history and prior images.
  • Show confidence in handling routine cases but also acknowledge when to ask for help from your attending.
What to avoid
  • Don't come off as overly confident; it's okay to admit you need guidance sometimes.
  • Avoid vague answers; be specific about how you'll interpret images and communicate findings.
  • Don't forget to mention when and how you'll escalate issues to your attending for complex cases.

Explain the risks of anesthesia to a patient in a way they can understand and feel reassured?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question checks how well you can communicate complex info to anxious patients. It’s all about showing empathy and building trust in a high-stakes situation.
Best practices
  • Start by creating a calm environment and making eye contact to build rapport.
  • Acknowledge the patient's anxiety before diving into the details.
  • Use simple language and relatable analogies to explain risks clearly.
What to avoid
  • Don’t use overly technical terms that might confuse the patient.
  • Avoid dismissing the patient's fears; they need to feel heard.
  • Don’t forget to check for understanding; just talking at them isn’t enough.

What’s your approach to prepare an anesthesia plan for a high-risk surgical patient?”?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question is all about seeing how you think through complex cases and prioritize patient safety. Interviewers want to know if you can assess risks and plan for potential complications.
Best practices
  • Start with a detailed review of the patient's medical history and any comorbidities.
  • Discuss your anesthetic technique choice and why it fits the patient's needs.
  • Mention your contingency plans (Plan A, B, C) for critical situations like airway management.
What to avoid
  • Don't give overly simplistic answers that ignore the complexities of high-risk patients.
  • Avoid focusing on just one aspect of the plan; show a holistic view.
  • Steer clear of sounding too confident without backing it up with a structured thought process.

Respond if a patient under anesthesia developed a sudden life-threatening complication?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question checks your clinical judgment and ability to act under pressure. Interviewers want to see if you can think quickly and prioritize patient safety in a crisis.
Best practices
  • Start by quickly recognizing the complication and calling for help from your attending and the surgical team.
  • Use a systematic approach to assess the situation, focusing on Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs).
  • Be ready to discuss specific interventions based on your assessment, like administering fluids or medications.
What to avoid
  • Don't just wait for your attending to take charge; show that you can initiate action.
  • Avoid vague responses; be specific about your assessment and interventions.
  • Don't forget to mention clear communication with your team; it's crucial in emergencies.

What’s your approach to manage disagreements with a surgeon regarding anesthetic management during a case?

Specialty Specialty-Specific Conflict Resolution
Why this question?
This question digs into how you manage conflict and advocate for patient safety in the OR. Interviewers want to see if you can communicate effectively and stand your ground when it comes to patient well-being.
Best practices
  • Always prioritize patient safety in your response.
  • Stay calm and professional, even under pressure.
  • Use clear, evidence-based reasoning to support your decisions.
What to avoid
  • Don't just agree with the surgeon to avoid conflict; that's not advocating for the patient.
  • Avoid getting emotional or confrontational; keep it professional.
  • Don't forget to listen to the surgeon's perspective; it's a two-way conversation.

How would you manage if a patient refuses anesthesia or a blood product needed for safe surgery?

Specialty Specialty-Specific Ethical
Why this question?
This question digs into your understanding of patient autonomy and ethical dilemmas in medicine. Interviewers want to see how you balance respecting a patient's wishes with ensuring their safety.
Best practices
  • Start by acknowledging the patient's right to refuse and try to understand their reasons.
  • Communicate clearly and compassionately about the risks of proceeding without the necessary treatment.
  • Involve your team and consider all alternatives to respect the patient's wishes while ensuring safety.
What to avoid
  • Don't just say you'll respect their refusal without exploring their reasons or the risks involved.
  • Avoid making it seem like you can proceed with surgery regardless of the refusal; safety is key.
  • Don't forget to involve senior staff or resources like an ethics committee when needed.

Manage a situation where a patient’s advance directive conflicts with the needs of surgery?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question digs into your ethical reasoning and how you advocate for patients. Interviewers want to see if you can balance patient wishes with the demands of surgery.
Best practices
  • Acknowledge the ethical dilemma clearly; show you understand the conflict between surgery and patient autonomy.
  • Emphasize the importance of discussing the advance directive with the patient or their surrogate before surgery.
  • Highlight the need for team communication and possibly involving an ethics consultation if there's confusion.
What to avoid
  • Don't just assume the advance directive can be ignored for the sake of surgery; that shows a lack of respect for patient wishes.
  • Avoid being reactive; don't wait until the OR to address these conflicts.
  • Steer clear of vague answers; be specific about how you would handle the situation and involve the team.

Respond if a patient refused a blood product that you believed was necessary for safe care?

Specialty Specialty-Specific Ethical
Why this question?
This question digs into your ethical reasoning and communication skills. Interviewers want to see how you balance patient autonomy with the need for safe care, especially in high-stakes situations.
Best practices
  • Start by acknowledging the patient's right to refuse and listen to their reasons.
  • Clearly explain the risks of refusal and the benefits of the blood product in simple terms.
  • Explore alternatives that respect the patient's wishes while ensuring safety, and involve your care team.
What to avoid
  • Don't come off as coercive or dismissive; respect the patient's perspective.
  • Avoid using medical jargon that might confuse the patient.
  • Don't forget to document everything; it's crucial for legal and ethical reasons.

Design a perioperative pain plan that minimizes opioid use while still providing effective pain control?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question checks your understanding of modern pain management, especially the need for opioid-sparing strategies. Interviewers want to see if you can balance effective pain relief with responsible prescribing.
Best practices
  • Start by acknowledging the importance of effective pain control while minimizing opioid use.
  • Discuss a multimodal approach that includes various medications and techniques targeting different pain pathways.
  • Outline your plan across the entire perioperative period: pre-op, intra-op, and post-op, with specific strategies for each phase.
What to avoid
  • Don't just focus on opioids; make sure to mention non-opioid options and regional anesthesia.
  • Avoid vague statements; be specific about the medications and techniques you would use.
  • Don't forget to personalize your plan based on the patient's history and type of surgery.

Communicate a diagnosis like skin cancer to a patient?

Specialty Specialty-Specific Patient Encounter
Why this question?
This question checks how well you can communicate tough news with empathy and professionalism. Interviewers want to see if you understand the emotional weight of a diagnosis like skin cancer and how to guide a patient through it.
Best practices
  • Start with a 'warning shot' to prepare the patient for bad news.
  • Use simple, clear language to explain the diagnosis and avoid medical jargon.
  • Acknowledge the patient's feelings and invite them to share their concerns.
What to avoid
  • Don't just blurt out the diagnosis without any preparation or empathy.
  • Avoid using too much medical jargon that might confuse the patient.
  • Don't skip over the emotional aspect; failing to validate their feelings can make them feel unheard.

Support a patient who feels that their skin condition is affecting their self-esteem?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question digs into how you understand the emotional impact of skin conditions. Interviewers want to see if you can empathize with patients and support their mental well-being, not just treat their skin.
Best practices
  • Start by validating the patient's feelings. Let them know you understand how tough this is for them.
  • Use active listening. Ask open-ended questions to really get to the heart of their concerns.
  • Discuss the emotional side openly. Make it clear that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.
What to avoid
  • Don't brush off their feelings or say things like 'It's just a rash.'
  • Avoid focusing only on medical treatments without addressing their emotional struggles.
  • Don't hesitate to refer them to mental health resources if needed; ignoring this shows a lack of holistic care.

What’s your approach to determine whether a mole is suspicious for malignancy, and when do you recommend patients have their moles checked?

Specialty Specialty-Specific
Why this question?
This question checks your understanding of melanoma screening and how you educate patients about skin health. Interviewers want to see if you know the signs of suspicious moles and how to guide patients on when to get checked.
Best practices
  • Use the ABCDE criteria: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, and Evolution/change.
  • Mention the 'ugly duckling sign' to show advanced diagnostic skills.
  • Tailor your recommendations for skin checks based on individual risk factors and emphasize patient education on self-exams and sun protection.
What to avoid
  • Don't just say a mole looks bad; be specific about the criteria you use.
  • Avoid vague recommendations like 'get checked once a year' without considering patient history.
  • Don't forget to mention the importance of educating patients on how to perform self-exams and protect their skin.
0 / 0
0:00