Talk about a time when you had to learn something new within a short deadline. How will this experience help you as a new resident?
In the upcoming years of your medical residency training, the amount of knowledge and skills that you learn, develop and master is very difficult to comprehend right now. In asking this question, your interviewers want assurance that you can learn new skills under pressure and put them to use quickly in the direct care of patients.
"I can't reiterate to you how eager I am to come learn from and train with some of the best physicians in the world at your institution. If fortunate enough to match into your residency program, I would bring an attitude and open mind that is ready to learn new skills on a daily basis and put them to use right away. During my unique three year medical school MD program, the accelerated path certainly found me needing to learn new concepts quickly and put them to use. I remember back to my embryology class and having to cram the final four weeks worth of material in just five day prior to the final exam. It took extra work and commitment, but I'm happy to say I aced my final and now consider embryology one of my favorite areas of medicine."
At points throughout your interview, you'll want to show your interviewers that you will join their residency program as a new resident that is willing to put in the time and effort to learn every new skills possible. Think about a time you learned a new task or responsibility with little advanced notice. Discuss your diligence and actions to learn the content, task, or responsibility within a short timeline and describe to your interviewers why undertaking this was vital. As you answer, be sure to talk a bit your ability to be a quick learner and why this is important as a resident.
