How to Answer: If you are treating a patient for whom a skin condition was diagnosed and treatment given, but the result had failed, and the patient then stated he/she had lost faith in you, what would you do?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dermatologist job interview.
2. If you are treating a patient for whom a skin condition was diagnosed and treatment given, but the result had failed, and the patient then stated he/she had lost faith in you, what would you do?
How to Answer
This is a disturbing scenario on different levels--it's a challenge to your knowledge and expertise and a distrust of you. It also has medicolegal implications, because dissatisfied and/or angry patients are the ones who feel strongest about someone else paying for their disappointing results, i.e., litigation. Your answer should reflect the deterioration of the physician-patient relationship and how you might regain it or cut your losses. You have to admit that there are some situations that you just can't win.
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 14th, 2021
Answer Example
"A patient who feels I have failed him or her can be disappointed, but there is a big difference between a trial of therapy and then fine-tuning it based on the results and being accused of being inept. Prior to any treatment, I would educate the patient on any remedy in which the results--successful or unsuccessful--would be helpful. If unsuccessful results soured our relationship to the point where I faced an uphill battle in convincing the patient why he or she should continue with me, I would recommend referral to another dermatologist, based on the absolute need for a patient to have confidence in me. The patient is already angry, and if the anger cannot be removed and replaced with good faith, discharging him or her won't make things any worse and may even limit my liability and that of those with whom I'm associated."
Written by Audra Kresinske on April 14th, 2021