How to Answer: What types of patients do you have the most difficulty treating?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Respiratory Therapists job interview.
24. What types of patients do you have the most difficulty treating?
How to Answer
Depending upon where you worked and your experience, you may have already encountered the worst of the worst! In an emergency setting or even in your everyday pediatrician's office, you might have encountered a difficult personality or a scenario that caused a patient to resist treatment or give you an attitude. Draw from your experience and give an example of someone who was extra challenging for you. Show you are competent in handling those tough patients by explaining your reaction and how you helped through the situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Entry Level
"During my clinical rotations, my biggest struggle was working in the emergency setting on patients that were in critical condition when entering. Having not worked in these pressure situations was tough, but I had a great preceptor who taught me how to stay calm. At this time, gaining skills in a hospital setting will better prepare me further for these emergencies, and I look forward to furthering myself as an RT moving forward."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Answer Example
"Having worked in the field now for eight years, I'd say that the patients that I'd have the most difficulty treating right now are pediatric patients. Since coming into the role that I'm currently in, peds patients are treated by pediatric specialists on our team. Even though I have not used the skills I developed in school and rotations for many years; I am confident in my ability to be able to work with these patients once again with some training and hands-on experience."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Experienced
"Through my career, the patients that have been a struggle the most for me are those that are not receptive to my treatment. While I had a hard time at first with these patients by taking their unwillingness to receive treatment personally, I quickly learned that it was usually something personal happening in their lives that caused this. With these patients now, I take a patient and empathetic approach with them, and I've also found that providing education on what I'm doing helps put them at ease. Knowing that my treatment will help them makes them much more open to it."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021