How to Answer: Have you ever had a situation where you felt you could have communicated better with a patient, a patient's family, or a colleague?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Anesthesiologist job interview.
2. Have you ever had a situation where you felt you could have communicated better with a patient, a patient's family, or a colleague?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient-centered communication is vital for an anesthesiologist, and your interviewers need to be assured that you would join their institution as a great communicator. They need to know that you will be aware of your communication shortcomings if you are faced with one while employed with them.
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 27th, 2022
How to Answer
Before your interview, think of a time you could have communicated to someone better. Whether your example is a communication with a colleague, support staff, or patient, make sure the situation you describe shows that you learned a lesson and took action to make the situation right. No matter how you answer, make sure that your interviewer walks away from your time together knowing that you are cognizant of the fact that your communications are important as an Anesthesiologist and that you will take every conversation at their institution seriously.
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 27th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current practice, about six months ago, I worked a long weekend stretch of 12 hour night shifts that turned into almost 16 hour nights for three straight nights. Towards the end of my final shift, I was short with a resident in our department when he asked some great questions. That night, when I laid down to go to sleep, I realized that how I had talked to him was not acceptable at all. I decided to run back to the hospital when I woke up to personally apologize to the resident. He was very pleased that I took the time to apologize and answer his questions."
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 27th, 2022