How to Answer: As a medical professional, you will regularly face illness and death. How will you professionally cope with this reality?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an University of Minnesota Medical School interview.
2. As a medical professional, you will regularly face illness and death. How will you professionally cope with this reality?
How to Answer
The admissions interviewer at UMMS (University of Minnesota Medical School) wants to know that you understand that dealing with death and critical illness is a workplace reality for a physician. Assure the interviewers that you are capable of handling this tough reality that physicians face.
Written by Rachelle Enns on June 13th, 2022
Answer Example
"I recently read a paper by Dr. Lea Baider and Dr. Simon Wein on the realities of physicians facing death regularly. The paper suggested that physicians who are successful in dealing with death at appropriate times do so by compartmentalizing their day's events. The paper went on to say that if a physician is to split the mechanics of the problem from the emotional side, the physician can continue to function without the emotions getting in the way. This is an excellent recommendation, but it is also important to choose an appropriate time to address those emotions. For me, this would perhaps mean having a mentor or even counselor whom I could visit regularly. Also, not internalizing a death or placing blame on myself for the event."
Written by Rachelle Enns on June 13th, 2022