Tell us about a difficult patient experience during your residency training. How did you handle the situation professionally and respectfully?
In your Internal Medicine Residency training, you had the opportunity to work with patients in many settings. This likely has included handling challenging patients. This question allows your interviewers to assess the patience, communication, conflict resolution, and stress management skills you would bring as a new fellow in their program.
"First and foremost, I feel very fortunate that my residency program offered a simulation-based experience for all residents in handling difficult patient situations. In particular role-playing scenarios, my interactions were watched and scored by other residents and faculty, with feedback given swiftly. This was such a great experience that prepared me well. A month ago, a patient in an inpatient hospital unit became very upset with me when I notified him of his discharge the next day. My prior simulation experience taught me to diffuse the situation quickly and listen to the patient, which I did. Once he calmed down, I explained things in a way that the patient understood and gave him care instructions for home."
Talk about a simple scenario you experienced during your residency training, and don't spend too much time describing the details. Instead, spend your time describing your thoughts and actions. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to remain calm, patient, empathetic, and logical while helping the patient to the best of your abilities.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
- 1/52 history of loose stool, vomiting diarrhea
- GP - rasied ddimer - SIBGP for CTPA
- Hypoxic, febrile, hypotensive, CRP 400, AKI 3 (BG: eGFR 90), dense opacification on CXR
- Commence treatment for chest sepsis, unable to give him CTPA
- Very angry, threatening to DAMA
- Explore his concerns and expectations
- Invited him to explain how unwell he thought he was
- Tallied up with our investigations - aligned expectations
- Found out he had a sick wife at home - main caregiver
-- arranged a three-way phone conversation - wife insisted he stay
-- found alternative means of care
- Still here now - found to have legionnaires
Jaymie's Feedback
This is a good example to share that shows you're able to use effective communication to help patients understand their illness, treatment plan, and potential outcomes. It also shows you're empathetic and committed to going above and beyond to provide quality care.
