Practice 35 Emergency Medicine Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, stress management, and patient care philosophy.
Question 22 of 35
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Your move into Emergency Medicine Residency will be the first time you work one on one with patients as the key decision-maker. Your interviewing team asks this question to ensure that you have the ability and desire to work independently as a resident with their program.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Coming out of a great medical school program, I feel confident in my ability to work with any patient without someone watching over my shoulder. With that said, I also want every interaction with a patient to be a learning opportunity, and I know your faculty has an excellent reputation for providing those opportunities."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Prove your ability to work confidently with little supervision without being overconfident. As an Emergency Medicine Resident, your work with patients will be scrutinized and used as a learning opportunity, so let your interviewers know that you are aware of that. Speak with modest confidence in your ability to work with patients with little to no supervision.
"I feel I am well prepared to start residency. I have experience and have done multiple Emergency Medicine rotations as a medical student. In addition, I have worked as an EMT in the past."
"While I am confident that I am an excellent candidate for a position as a resident within your program, I also trust that your program has a robust clinical training curriculum that will allow me to grow into a competent and independent physician. I know however that this does not happen overnight and that your program will provide me with the correct level of attending oversight to help me develop that practice. I am a "doer" and learn best in a hands-on, real-world environment. I am excited to learn under the supervision of your outstanding attendings and senior residents and know that I am capable of reaching the high standards you hold your residents to."

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Written by Ryan Brunner
35 Questions & Answers • Emergency Medicine Residency

By Ryan

By Ryan