Multiple Mini Interview Questions
Practice 30 Multiple Mini Interview questions covering ethical scenarios, time management, and communication under pressure.
Question 11 of 30
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.
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Example Answer
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
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.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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."
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Anonymous 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.
Margarita's Feedback
This question asks you to describe what your conversation would be with the patient directly. Your answer is more of your inner thoughts.
Anonymous 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.
Stephanie's Feedback
Your response shows a strong ethical commitment. You clearly understand that writing a doctor's note to excuse your patient from a work conference would be irresponsible on your part, given the lack of symptoms, but you still treat your patient in a compassionate manner that holds them accountable while also supporting them in finding solutions. You go above and beyond for this patient!
Anonymous 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.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! It's good that you won't give out doctor's notes under false pretenses. The interviewer will be pleased that you stuck to your guns because this is an ethical issue. You might choose to leave out the 'my calendar is wide open' comment since this may or may not be true for a busy doctor, and you might also mention that writing a false note not only makes them less valuable but puts you in a position where you're being dishonest. Finally, you shouldn't give the impression that you're reprimanding the patient so you might end with a sentence like 'If you continue not to feel well, feel free to schedule another appointment so we can revisit this.' Good job!
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