One of your patients asks for a doctors' note to excuse them from a work conference. You do not see any symptoms of illness. Talk to the patient about your decision to provide or not provide them with a doctors' note.

Question

Rachelle Enns · Accepted Answer

"I appreciate you coming to me and trusting me with your health. I am very dedicated to my patients, and when I sense that there is something wrong, I am the first person to be on your side. With that said, I cannot grant you a doctor's note for the reason of skipping out on a work obligation. I take my word seriously and am not interested in becoming involved in matters of excusal when I cannot find a medical justification. If you do not wish to attend the conference, my recommendation is to be straightforward with your employer."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

This question is a role-play opportunity or 'acting' question. For acting questions, a panel of interviewers, or perhaps even an actor, will be waiting in the interview room, and you must approach the situation as you would in real life. In this scenario, you must show professionalism, empathy, and compassion.

Anonymous User · Answer

"In this situation, a conflict exists between satisfying my patient's request and being honest and refusing to do so. Satisfying my patient's request would ensure my patient is able to be excused from work and avoid reprimand, and would not damage my relationship with the pt. Refusing to meet the patient's request, on the other hand, would likely damage my relationship."

Anonymous User · Answer

"In a soft-spoken tone: Mr./Mrs. Patient, I appreciate you coming to me regarding advice or medical assistance. I am always here for my patients and aspire to be the first line of assistance when there is a medical complication or crisis, even in social matters. With that being said, I cannot grant you an excuse note for the sole reason of skipping a work conference. I cannot morally or justifyingly provide an excuse when there is no medical involvement. I suggest you speak with your company about the conference and why you may not wish to attend. I do not know what social or outside matters you may be facing, but my advice is to be straightforward and honest with your company. Perhaps they will be willing to work with you on the matter and come to a better solution."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I would be happy to provide you with a doctor's note in any situation where an illness or infection precludes you from your duties, but this does not seem to be the case in this scenario. My calendar is wide open and you could have seen me on any other date for this appointment. It is important for patients' employers to respect their sick days in order to prevent the spread of an illness, but if I write you the note under false pretenses then these types of notes become less valuable."

One of your patients asks for a doctors' note to excuse them from a work conference. You do not see any symptoms of illness. Talk to the patient about your decision to provide or not provide them with a doctors' note.

How to Answer: One of your patients asks for a doctors' note to excuse them from a work conference. You do not see any symptoms of illness. Talk to the patient about your decision to provide or not provide them with a doctors' note.

11. One of your patients asks for a doctors' note to excuse them from a work conference. You do not see any symptoms of illness. Talk to the patient about your decision to provide or not provide them with a doctors' note.

How to Answer

Answer Example

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback