In the ICU, things can get tense. How do you think you will perform under the pressure of being a Critical Care fellow?
Your interviewers need to know that you have the tools and skillset to face the pressure that comes with training in their Critical Care fellowship program. In asking this question, they expect you to describe the tools, resources, and mindset you use to navigate the most pressure-packed situations as a physician.
"A few weeks ago, I worked a night float rotation in a maximum capacity hospital unit. Several units were full, including our general ICU, so our workload was increased greatly. I buckled down and dealt with every patient one at a time. I made sure to take the time after each patient to document my notes as I normally would. Communication during this shift was vital, ensuring that all providers and nursing staff were on the same page. The attending physician and I worked through some hiccups with constant communication. I know that communication and teamwork are critical to effectively managing a busy ICU and the hourly challenges that arise, and I'm confident in my abilities that I would bring to your Critical Care fellowship program."
To prove your ability to handle the pressures of fellowship training, it is best to provide an example of a time you were challenged by a large workload or a pressure-packed situation as an Internal Medicine resident. Discuss how you reacted in that situation, what you learned from this experience, and if you would do things differently next time. Don't forget to talk about the resources you used to ensure that you also paid close attention to the fine details.
