There are things you will see every day in the ER most people only see once in a lifetime, if at all. As a resident, what measures will you use to avoid the depression that naturally comes from such consistent exposures?

"I know that bad things happen to good people, and that can especially be seen in the ER. In the heat of the moment, I commit to staying on task, no matter how psychologically disturbing the situation may be when I process it later. I understand that these things can sneak up on me and put my mental health at risk. The fact that I recognize this danger means I've taken the first step to prevent it. I have no problem taking the next step and seeking professional help if I find myself consumed with inappropriate or difficult feelings."

If you want to avoid having your 'heartstrings' yanked, an Emergency Medicine Residency may not be the right path for you. The fact that you chose this specialty means you've come to terms with the nature of the beast, and your interviewers want to know that you will be able to handle any medical situation.

Constant exposure to the craziest situations possible in medicine poses a real risk to your mental health, as the recent pandemic has proven. State that you're aware of the risks that come with being an emergency physician and explain the methods you intend to use to support your mental and emotional health.

"Yes, I have been thinking of ways to prevent burnout. Something that has helped me stay grounded during medical school is doing daily meditations. I hope to continue this practice throughout residency."

"Emergency Medicine will definitely expose me to some traumatic and harrowing situations, however I believe that I have several tools which will equip me to handle those from an emotional and mental standpoint. First, I recognize that being trusted to take care of someone at their most vulnerable, while sometimes emotionally traumatic, is an extreme privilege that society has trusted us with. I think that bringing this perspective to each patient will allow me to process these emotionally traumatic events in a positive and constructive way. Additionally, throughout the years I have found ways to process stress and trauma in my personal life including exercise (cycling, yoga), meditation and self-reflection (focused breathing and journaling), and finding hobbies to enjoy with my loved ones to help me decompress (board game night is a favorite). It also helps that I have a dog who is excited to see me every day when I come home, no matter how difficult of a day I may have had."

Tell me about a time during medical school where you had a setback or failure? How did you respond to that setback?

"My first board exam score was not as high as I had hoped. After reflecting, I realized that reading many textbooks was not the most effective way for me to study. I adapted my study plan for my next board exam to focus instead on doing practice questions instead. I was able to dramatically improve my step 2 score by doing this."

Your interviewers are trying to understand and predict how you will deal in the face of adversity that will most certainly happen at some point during your residency. They want to know that they are going to choose a candidate that when the going gets tough will rise to the occasion.

It is important that you are able to give a concrete example of a failure and then show how you were able to improve your circumstances. You should be able to show that you learned from the failure and that you won't make the same mistake again.

"One time I did poorly on an anatomy exam. As someone who has always achieved excellent grades this was very surprising. That bad grade motivated me to study harder and I improved on every test during the remainder of the anatomy class."

"During my first year of medical school I really struggled with Biochemistry, to the point where I actually failed one of our written exams. I had always been able to do well in school without studying much and was completely shocked when I got my grade back. Although I felt like I had put in enough hours to not only pass but to score well, I had obviously not prepared in the best way to pass the test. I knew that I had to change the way that I was studying or the rest of medical school would be incredibly challenging, if not impossible. I was able to sort through different learning methods and realized that spaced repetition and reviewing with a study group allowed me to learn the material more fully, and I went on to do very well in all of my subsequent classes."

What questions do you have for us?

"I have several questions. Can you tell me about the research opportunities that are available for your residents? I am interested in pursuing research down the road following residency. Also, I'm curious to hear about the demographics of the patients you see here in this hospital. I'm want to ensure that my training exposes me to a very diverse patient base. Can you tell me more about this?"

You need to realize that your interviewers are considering a great pool of medical students for their Emergency Medicine Residency program. If you end up being one of their top candidates, they want to ensure that you walk away from your interview with all of your questions answered to ensure that you will be ranking their program at the top of your list.

You should have questions ready for the end of your interview. Don't ask questions that make it seem like you have concerns outside of becoming the best doctor you can be, such as asking what the meal allowance is, or are much better to ask a resident, like asking about the social lives of their residents outside of the practice. Come to your interview with questions that show you want to learn more about their program.

"Where have some recent graduates gone on to practice after residency? Does your program provide training for residents in ultrasound?"

"1. What makes a successful resident at this program and how is that measured/evaluated? 2. What resources are there for residents who are interested in [insert a topic or area of interest you are passionate about]? 3. What do residents who graduate from this program typically do (fellowship vs other), and how many stay within the organization after graduation? 4. What leadership opportunities are available for residents to participate in, both within the program and within the larger health system? 5. How does the program prepare residents to be well-rounded Emergency Medicine physicians in areas such as critical care, pediatrics, trauma, and ultrasound/procedures? 6. How are rotations structured and what are the benefits of the specific structure in place? 7. What is the culture of the program and of the larger department? 8. What are some changes that the program has made in the last few years, or what changes might be made in the near future?"

Do you have any interest in pursuing academics and/or doing research as an Emergency Medicine Resident in our program and in your future career as a physician?

"I hope to eventually educate medical students and residents. I also have a strong interest in research surrounding public health and injury prevention. If I am accepted into your Emergency Medicine Residency, I look forward to educating the wonderful crop of students you have each year. I have a personal goal of becoming chief resident in my final year of training, and I'm willing to put in the extra work to prove my ability to do so."

Ideally, Emergency Medicine Residency programs want residents who will give back by teaching or doing research. Your interviewers want to hear about your future interests, either as a resident or as a future practicing physician down the road.

You should answer that you WOULD like to teach, conduct research, or a mixture of both down the road. While your interviewers should get a good sense of your goals by reading the personal statement you submitted, this question is your chance to express where your passion lies. Talk openly about your goals in these areas and how this program can help you kickstart those dreams.

"Yes, I am interested in doing research and participating in scholarly activity during residency. I have experience conducting research throughout medical school. I worked on a project with an emergency medicine physician looking at providing medical students ultrasound training."

"Yes, I am very interested in academics and research as part of my future Emergency Medicine practice. As a life-long learner, I think that it is critical for EM physicians to stay up-to-date on the latest research and developments in EM in order to be a full and competent physician after training. I also believe that part of being a good learner is being a good teacher and so I look forward to opportunities to teach medical trainees and other physicians in Emergency Medicine. As far as my own interests, I recognize that EM is an ever-changing field and I hope to be able to contribute to advancing studies and practice patterns related to [insert your topic of interest/passion] through my own academic and research efforts."

Following your Emergency Medicine Residency training, what environment do you see yourself practicing in?

"Having grown up in a rural farming community where access to healthcare often required a long drive, I'd love to practice someday in the area where I grew up with a health system that has community practices in rural settings. Part of my motivation for going into medicine was to someday give back to the community where I grew up."

As a medical student, you have a wide range of options for ideal practice settings. Your interviewers will want to know your preferred practice location and patient base to determine the right training path for you if you are accepted into their program.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. The faculty at the program you are interviewing with has trained residents who have gone on to practice in every setting possible. As long as you answer honestly, they'll hear your passion for medicine and be able to help shape your training according to what you want to achieve down the road. Some options for practice opportunities in emergency medicine include community hospitals, rural critical access hospitals, inner-city hospitals, and academic medical centers.

"Following my residency training I could foresee myself practicing as an Emergency Medicine attending at a large academic medical center. I am interested in your program so that I can get the best possible training to be prepared for this goal."

"One of my passions, and a huge reason why I am choosing to match into Emergency Medicine, is focusing on health issues for groups of people who have been traditionally underserved by the medical community. In my practice after residency, I want to work within an organization that will not only allow me to do this but also support me in efforts to better care for these individuals through process and policy changes, as well as to study how factors like Social Determinants of Health impact the health of these populations. Because many of these people only receive their primary care through the Emergency Department, it is important to me that I match with a program who will help me on that career journey and show their awareness of this important issue through academic and professional development opportunities."

Effective communication skills are essential for success in an Emergency Medicine Residency. How would you describe your communication skills?

"My interpersonal communication skills focus on education and compassion. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect, no matter the nature of the communication. As an Emergency Medicine Resident, I know that my colleagues and care team within the ED will also rely on me to be a leader. When communicating as a leader, I am thorough, clear, and respectful. I don't shy away from difficult conversations. I also give praise and try to lift my team members with my communication style."

You need to be aware of the importance that communication plays in the success of the entire medical team. Patient-centered communication is vital for residents, and your interviewers want to know that you are a great communicator. They want to hear that you have strong verbal and written communication skills when communicating with patients, faculty, fellow residents, and your patient care team.

Before your interview, think about your communication strengths. Come to your interview prepared to talk about what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More importantly, explain why solid communication skills are vital for any resident and physician.

"Yes, communication skills are very important. I would describe my communication style as calm and easy to understand. When appropriate I am able to show compassion and empathy."

"I would describe my communication style as a hybrid of approaches that I have learned over the years through watching physicians I admire lead medical teams, and through my own experience in finding my own voice as a medical student. First, I consciously try to listen before I speak- medicine is a team sport and every member of that team regardless of role has an important voice. As an EM physician, I may not be spending as much 1:1 time with any given patient as the nurse or care techs, so when they say something like they are concerned about a patient for XYZ reason, I want them to know I will listen and take them seriously. Second, I try to bring a calm but focused presence to my communication in stressful or hectic situations. I make myself actively aware of my tone, how quickly I am speaking, and the volume of my voice and try to act as the calmest person in the room while not acting aloof or uncaring. I find that physicians who do this are able to help bring composure to chaotic situations. Finally, in speaking with patients, I try to let them know how much I empathize with them and their current situation. Our patients are coming to us at their most vulnerable and they need to know that their physician actually cares about them as a person and that they can trust them with their lives."

What EHR systems were you exposed to during your medical school training?

"During medical school, I was fortunate to have learned EPIC, Cerner, and a custom system the hospital created. I learned how to look up patient records, chart notes, order labs, and prescribe medications. While all systems had the same end goals, they operated very differently. I am very computer savvy and picked up on each program quickly. I'm happy to hear that your system uses EPIC because I am very comfortable in the system and confident in my ability to pick up on things quickly once training starts."

Throughout your time in medical school rotations, you should have been exposed to different EHR programs and learned to work effectively on each. Your interviewers want to know that you can quickly learn the system they use.

First, speak openly and honestly about your experiences with different EHR programs during medical school by talking about each program you trained on and what role you played working within each. Then ensure your interviewers know that you are comfortable working on their system by expressing your ability to learn any program in short order.

"I have gained valuable experience using EHRs. I have worked on both EPIC and Cerner during my clinical rotations."

"In medical school my home program used the Cerner EHR, but I also did rotations at the VA which used its own system, as well as multiple different hospital organizations on separate instances of Epic. I found it to be helpful to use a variety of different systems to see what worked best for various workflows because it allowed me to get a feel for what it might be like practicing in different environments."

Are there any invasive procedures that intimidate you?

"I'm not intimidated easily, and I would join your program as a confident new physician. The procedure that I know would take the most time to learn is thoracentesis. This can be a very intimidating procedure because of the small room for error."

The list of emergency invasive procedures that you will learn and master during your Emergency Medicine Residency training is long and includes everything from simple blood draws to emergency thoracotomy. Your interviewers simply want to hear about any procedures you find intimidating.

Being intimidated by some of the things you will learn as a resident is okay, but you don't want to come off as weak-minded or lacking confidence. You can express that you are intimidated by a procedure or two as long as you express that you are ready and willing to take the time to learn from the expert faculty at this program. In the end, your interviewers want to hear you speak with confidence, so be sure to express that as you answer.

"I am eager to learn procedures such as placing central lines and performing intubations. I have gained experience as a medical student placing IVs and even placed one arterial line, which I enjoyed doing."

"I am definitely not a master of any procedure yet, but of the ones I have been allowed to be a part of as a medical student I found them all to be exciting and interesting. That being said, I also have a huge respect for the fact that they are all dangerous in their own way and that it takes years to master the macro and micro skills for those procedures. I am really looking forward to matching at a program like yours that allows even junior residents opportunities to learn these complex procedures under adequate supervision and through simulation exercises."

As a new Emergency Medicine Resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?

"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."

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.

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."

How do you think you will perform under pressure as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

"As a person that thrives under pressure, I am confident in my ability to succeed in your program over the next three years. One time in medical school, our block exams were moved to an earlier date. To prepare for the exam on time, I had to ask my peers for recommendations on study materials to better understand difficult concepts. Fortunately, I was able to prepare for the exam on time, but I realized it is important to know what resources you have, even if you don't plan to use them, as unexpected challenges arise in both medical school and patient care."

During your venture into Emergency Medicine Residency, you will face more pressure than you've ever faced before, even compared to medical school. Your interviewers need to know that you have the tools and skillset to face the pressure that comes with residency.

Provide an example of a time you were challenged by a difficult workload or a pressure-packed situation. Perhaps you managed several critical patients or had a difficult workload. 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 handle the challenge.

"I feel comfortable and even thrive in situations where I have worked under pressure. This skill served me well during my time as an EMT. I am eager to continue to work in a fast paced environment."

"One of my favorite phrases is "Pressure creates the diamond"! I feel like I perform well under pressure and have always sought out situations that push me to become my best whether that be athletic events or medical school. I'm looking forward to training at a program that will push me in that same way and help me thrive in those situations."

What would you do if a verbally abusive patient were to begin shouting ethnic slurs that your other patients found disturbing?

"The ER is a dynamic, eventful environment, and there is no room for this behavior. It would be best to remove them from the earshot of others to maintain order. My responsibility is to prevent any escalation and contact security right away if the situation calls for it."

ER patients can come in many states of mind and many difficult situations. These difficult situations can sometimes cause patients to show their worst side. In asking this particular question, your interviewers want to know that you would stop this type of behavior and do it swiftly.

A situation like this can escalate quickly into physical behaviors that are dangerous, so explain that you would quickly do what is necessary to get the patient to stop. Tell your interviewer that you wouldn't tolerate this behavior from any patient under your care.

"I would tell them that verbal abuse is not acceptable in any form. I would try de-escalation techniques. If that fails I would contact the unit manager or the hospital security team."

"I would have a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior like that. I would first attempt to verbally redirect that patient and let them know that their actions would not be tolerated but if that was not possible, I would need to analyze the situation to determine whether the patient in question needed medical attention or if they were safe to be discharged in order to remove them from the department."

As an Emergency Medicine Resident, are you prepared to handle combative and verbally abusive patients, even if they are spitting and forcefully removing things like IVs and catheters?

"My first concern as a resident will be the safety of everyone present. This may require restraints for the patient in combative situations as well as personal protective equipment for the personnel. If restraints are used, I will accept nothing other than the established ER protocols in place. I recognize that dealing with such maladaptive behavior--even abusive behavior--is part of the job, so I intend to stay on task, regardless of how ugly the situation becomes. Obnoxious, threatening, self-injurious, and abusive behavior can never be taken personally in this environment."

Many patients who arrive in the ER are not themselves. They can range from cranky to psychotic. Such behavior, unfortunately, can present a danger to you, your associates, and themselves. Your interviewers need to be assured that you are aware of this aspect of practicing as an emergency physician and that you are mentally prepared to handle these situations.

The frequency of this occurring does not mitigate its seriousness. This is one of the most challenging types of patient care you will experience as a resident and physician in practice. Equanimity, self-restraint, and objectivity are the qualities your interviewer needs to hear in your answer, so be sure to express them. Don't hesitate to reiterate that you are aware of hospital procedures for security measures.

"Taking care of abusive patients can be difficult. I will utilize the full resources of the hospital team such as security if needed to protect the patient, myself and other team members as indicated."

"The Emergency Department is often chaotic not just because of patient acuity but also because of disruptive patients like the one you are describing. I am aware that this will unfortunately be a familiar occurrence no matter where I practice and I believe that I am equipped to handle that. I know that medicine is a team sport but that we must protect each other, so safety of my colleagues, other patients, and the patient themselves will be top of mind. I would not hesitate to call security, or to use medications or restraints to protect everyone involved."

How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the emergency practice setting?

"I know that the pandemic has had an impact on emergency care services and forced institutions to rethink how emergency care services are provided. I read about changing the role of the paramedic to be an extension of the physician in the hospital to provide services to patients in their homes rather than immediately transport them to the hospital. The technology to do this is available, and the benefits of a model like this could free up rooms in a busy emergency room and drive down healthcare costs for patients. It would be a win-win situation if the model was built correctly."

Your interviewers want to understand where you feel healthcare could evolve for the better in the emergency care setting. Demonstrating a forward-thinking and innovative vision in your interview will set you apart from the other candidates they are considering for their Emergency Medicine Residency program.

Be prepared to talk in an educated manner about how you feel the delivery of emergency medicine could improve over time. In the grand scheme of modern medicine, emergency medicine is one of the younger medical specialties that has seen little change over time. You may discuss the utilization of telemedicine in emergency care or staffing models to reduce physician burnout.

"I think it will be interesting to see the increased use of telehealth in emergency medicine. I think this technology will continue to grow and help physicians provide care to areas that are underserved."

"I think that everyone in EM agrees that it must change but narrowing down what specifically is incredibly difficult. With patient boarding stretching EDs to their breaking points, I think we need to work with our primary care and specialist colleagues to figure out a more sustainable model of directing patients to the ED appropriately. I think that will require a tremendous effort on the part of policy advocates so more realistically, I think emerging technologies and care schemes like Remote Patient Monitoring Devices within a Hospital at Home care model have huge potential to help alleviate some of the biggest issues facing our field. Additionally, I think we will continue to see more focused and higher quality care directed towards traditionally underserved populations as SDOH continues to be recognized as critical to whole-patient-care."

In the ED, we work with patients in their most vulnerable states. What about your personality and style will make you an ideal fit to work with our vulnerable patients as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

"Helping patients in this vulnerable state is ultimately what draws me to a future in emergency medicine. I can build quick rapport with my patients by showing empathy, connecting with them, and making them feel at ease. My other key quality in caring for this patient base is my resourcefulness. ED patients want fast answers, and I'm ready to put in extra effort for every patient under my care."

Patients reporting to the emergency room are often vulnerable, scared, fearful, and facing an unfamiliar situation. Your interviewers need to know that you have the right personality and frame of mind to work with these patients.

While there are many directions you can take your answer to this question, there are some key things you can reflect on before your Emergency Medicine Residency interviews to ensure you highlight one or two points about yourself. Put yourself in the shoes of a vulnerable patient heading into an emergency room. They want a physician who can build a quick rapport with them, get them answers quickly, and work diligently to do so.

"I would describe myself as compassionate. I was drawn to emergency medicine after one of my family members had a near death experience. I will try to the best of my ability to treat each patient as if I were taking care of my own family member."

"With every patient encounter, I try to put myself in the patient's shoes and connect on an individual level. I feel like that practice allows me to empathize more fully and to convey that to patients in a genuine way. I also recognize that being trusted in that situation is an incredible privilege and one that I will be grateful of in every encounter."

How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

"The New England Journal of Medicine has been a great resource during medical school, and with its reputation for scholarly activities, I know it will continue to be throughout my training and career in practice. I plan on joining the AAEM to fully immerse myself in the field of emergency medicine. As a resident and physician in practice, I can't wait for CME opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with other professionals in the field."

Your interviewers want to know that you will fully immerse yourself in the field of emergency medicine during your time in their program. This includes staying up to date on new trends and having an understanding of the challenges this field faces, both now and in the future.

Talk about a couple of the resources you use to stay on top of medical industry trends. It's also a great idea to ask the interviewers if they have any recommendations for you. This can start a conversation that will be helpful to you! Before your interview, look into Emergency Medicine groups, journals, and publications so you can speak knowledgeably about them during your interview.

"I stay up to date by subscribing to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Also, I listen weekly to an Emergency Medicine podcast called Core EM."

"I am actively involved in several national EM organizations including EMRA and SAEM and will continue to be as a resident. I am especially hopeful to be able to attend some of the annual conferences to learn more about new and exciting things in Emergency Medicine and to present some of my own research."

Would you be willing and able to complete our background check process if you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency training program?

"I am ready to fully comply with any background and verification checks that are required of me to join your program as an Emergency Medicine Resident. I have a clean criminal and driving records."

It is necessary to pass a criminal background check in any healthcare-related setting. Your credentialing and state licensure will rely on it. Your interviewers ask this question to ensure that you would be able to pass any required state or federal background checks required by their institution.

If you can successfully pass a criminal record check or education verification, explain that you have a clean record. If you have any blemishes on your records and are not able to pass a criminal record check or education verification, be upfront about that in the interview process. The residency program will be more forgiving if you are honest about any marks on your background check.

"I would be happy to do a criminal background check and understand that you must do your due diligence to protect the safety of patients. I am completely comfortable with this."

"I am very happy to complete any and all background checks or drug screens your program requires."

If being an Emergency Medicine Physician was not an option, what career path would you have chosen outside of medicine?

"If medicine wasn't an option for me, I likely would have pursued some sort of music career. I grew up playing the piano and mastered every brass instrument during marching band in college. I am also a huge music buff and love listening to any genre. I could see myself teaching band in high school, performing in a jazz band, or even producing albums."

Your interviewers want to get to know each candidate a bit better during their interview process. This hypothetical question will give the interviewers some insight into other topics that interest you outside of the medical field.

There is no right or wrong answer, but be sure to think about questions like this before your Emergency Medicine Residency interviews. Talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about where your career path would have ideally taken you if becoming a physician wasn't an option.

"If being an Emergency Physician wasn't an option I would consider being a Firefighter. I have always wanted a job where I can help people, but also one that was exciting and dynamic."

"If becoming an Emergency Medicine physician wasn't an option I think that I would like to pursue a career as an EMT or as a Forest Ranger. Both seem like interesting and exciting careers where you are still able to help people and are exposed to some interesting situations."

Are you interviewing with any other Emergency Medicine Residency programs?

"I am keeping an eye out and applying to several reputable emergency medicine programs. No matter the number of interviews I complete, I hold your program in the highest regard because of the academic and research success that your past trainees are now having in practice."

It is no secret that fourth-year medical students are encouraged to apply to many Emergency Medicine Residency programs to better their odds of matching. This number of applications can often exceed 10. It always puts a little bit of fire under the interviewers if they are aware that you are actively pursuing many opportunities, especially if you are a top candidate.

Talk openly about the applications you submitted, but emphasize your interest in this particular Emergency Medicine Residency. Give specific reasons you want to complete your residency with this program and explain how that will benefit you in your pursuit of becoming a practicing emergency medicine physician.

"Yes, I am interviewing with other Emergency Med programs. I am interested in making sure the program I decide on is an excellent fit for both parties. Your program has especially interested me."

"I am interviewing with other programs but have been very intentional to apply only to ones which I am serious about matching with and which I feel would be a good fit both for me and for the program."

Outside of your medical training, what keeps you busy on a day to day basis?

"My top priority outside of schooling and training is my family. We have twin boys who are growing at a rapid pace, and we like to stay active with them. I am also a competitive mountain biker and train hard for a few races each year."

Having hobbies and interests outside of residency training is an important part of maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Your interviewers want to get to know you a bit better as a person. They also want to know that you will have a healthy balance during your time training with them.

Talk openly and honestly to the interviewers about the activities that interest you outside of the medical field. Talk about how these activities will be important in your life as an Emergency Medicine Resident in their program to help keep you happy, healthy, and refreshed during your training.

"One of my hobbies that keeps me busy outside of work is cycling. I am an avid cycler and enjoy competing in races."

"Spending time with family and friends is my favorite way to unwind and decompress outside of hiking, cycling, or yoga. I also love to cook and have been experimenting with recipes using my sous vide and Instantpot."

Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Emergency Medicine Residency training?

"Yes, I have put some thought into this, and my ideal elective rotations have led me to have your program. I would love to spend the majority of my elective time in radiology and leadership/management. I love that your program offers the opportunity for advanced training in ultrasound and general radiology because those are vital skills in an emergency room on off-hours shifts. I also have a strong desire to one day be a department chair, so being exposed to the administration side of emergency practice management is important to me."

Emergency Medicine Residency training programs often offer a wide array of elective rotations to give future physicians a wide array of skills. Your interviewers want to hear that you have put some thought into how you want to customize your training to best set yourself up for success once you graduate from their program.

Show your interviewers that you have a calculated plan for your training that will set you up for success after your time with their program. Before your interview, read through the curriculum requirements and electives for the program you are interviewing with. They can be found on the program's website. Come to your interview prepared to describe your ideal path for training.

"Yes, I am eager to do an elective in toxicology and critical care medicine. I am also interested in the hyperbaric medicine elective that you offer."

"Yes, I have a special interest in medical education and so would like to spend some elective time working on residency curriculum development, medical student teaching, and other educational initiatives. I am really interested in pursuing a Medical Education fellowship so any exposure to those types of projects would be ideal to me."

What do you feel is your greatest weakness you would have in joining our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

"I feel that my greatest weakness will be my desire to be social with every person I interact with. While this has never been a weakness in my life or education to this point, I realize that I need to have boundaries with my patients to work effectively in a fast-paced setting. I don't foresee this as an issue for my residency training. I will have to step out of my comfort zone a bit, but I'm ready for the personal challenge."

Your interviewers know that every candidate has flaws. They want to hear that you are cognizant of any shortcomings you have and are willing to do what is necessary to overcome those shortcomings.

This is your chance to promote yourself despite your flaws. Your answer should point out a salvageable weakness; you should admit that you're imperfect but have the gumption to work on your weakness because you are committed to being the best you can be. Explain that, if you didn't perform at your best, you'd feel as if you were failing your program, and you find that unacceptable.

"One weakness I continue to improve upon is overanalyzing situations. I have had to learn that while analysis is important, over analysis can also be the enemy of progress. I have learned to use all the information available to me to make the decision possible and then to move on to the next task."

"One weakness or opportunity for improvement that I have been working on is being extremely detail-oriented to the point that it holds me back from being as efficient I could be. While I've been working on ways to find an acceptable level of focus, I also know that Emergency Medicine training will inherently teach me what details are important in which situations in a safe learning environment."

What made you choose to pursue Emergency Medicine Residency training?

"Heading into medical school, I was unsure where I wanted my career to take me. In my second year, the appeal of emergency medicine continued to grow on me because of the varied activities each day, the opportunity to perform life-saving procedures on patients, and an environment where teamwork is the most vital. This dream is now becoming a reality for me, and I'm so excited to interview to for a great program like yours."

Being passionate about their area of patient care is essential for any physician to be successful in their craft. Your team of interviewers wants candidates who are passionate and dedicated to a future career in emergency medicine.

When answering this question, you can shine by espousing the vision of the specialty - handling true emergencies. Share why the fast-paced setting of the emergency room appeals to you. Share your passion for handling the procedural work that you will be learning during residency. Speak with passion when highlighting why you were made for a career in emergency medicine.

"That's a great question. When I was young my father had a near death experience. An Emergency Physician saved my father's life and I always felt very grateful. This situation inspired me to become a doctor and pursue a career in Emergency Medicine."

"Emergency Medicine physicians have the best job in the world- never knowing what is about to come in the department but being totally prepared to handle any emergency, happening to anyone, with whatever resources you have on hand. It can be totally unpredictable, unbelievably bizarre, and at the same time so incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. While I know it won't be easy, I am excited to work in a fast-paced, high stakes environment with other people who are drawn to that kind of atmosphere."

What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to our Emergency Medicine Residency?

"I was drawn to emergency medicine because of my innate ability to rise above stressful situations and think with a clear and focused mind. I thrive in a fast-paced environment where each decision is critical, and this was evident in my success in rotations in emergency medicine, critical care, and urgent care. If I am fortunate enough to match into your program, you will quickly see that I am ready and able to handle any situation thrown my way with a calm and level head."

Emergency Medicine Residency programs are one of the most sought-after medical specialties by graduating medical students every year, and the match process can be difficult. This question helps your interviewers separate the good candidates from the great candidates.

Your answer to this question could include soft skills such as empathy, charity, integrity, and consistency. Tell a brief anecdote that demonstrates why you find this strength important for a future practice in Emergency Medicine. Be sure that your answer is well thought out and speak with a passion to impress your team of interviewers.

"One of my biggest strengths is my ability to be calm, cool and collected during stressful situations. I think this will come in handy during training."

"I am a natural leader and would look forward to an opportunity to take the lead on resident-led initiatives within the program. In the past, I have always been one to work to build solutions to problems or opportunities instead of simply pointing them out."

Would you have any issues relocating to join our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

"I would greatly look forward to the opportunity of joining your program. I have traveled here throughout my youth with family as we have extended family in the city. I love the fact that I will be able to participate in all of my hobbies here in the region and also have opportunities to do new things."

To better the odds of matching with a great program, most medical students will apply to Emergency Medicine Residency programs all over the country. As they consider your application, your interviewers want to know that you are serious about your willingness to relocate and put your full focus on training in their program.

The goal when answering this question is to assure the interviewer that relocating will not be a problem for you. If it's a challenging relocation for you, but you are willing to do it, explain your willingness to move for the sake of joining this program. Don't hesitate to talk about your personal or family situation and the support you have to pursue this dream of yours.

"I am eager to join your residency program. One of the many reasons I want to join is to come back to the area where I grew up, and to be closer to friends and family."

"I would be extremely excited to have the opportunity to relocate to join your program not only because I think it would be a perfect fit for my residency training but because of the location itself. Although I don't have any family ties to the area, I am excited to settle into a new place to call home and have heard wonderful things about the welcoming culture of your city and of your program. I'm ready for an adventure and grow somewhere new."

Will you be able to handle the shift work that is required in our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

"I am ready to dedicate the next three years of my life to learning and growing. My spouse is fully on board with that commitment as well. I look forward to being the resident in charge on busy holidays like New Year's Eve and Independence Day."

During the next three to four years of training as an Emergency Medicine Resident, you will be subjected to long hours, odd shifts, and coverage on weekends, nights, and even holidays. Your interviewers want to ensure that you are aware of the personal commitment and sacrifice it will take to succeed in their program.

Explain to your interviewers that you know their program will require you to work 8 and/or 12 hours shifts 365 days per year. Let them know that you are ready to take on this challenge, both personally and professionally.

"Yes, I have successfully done shift work in the past when I worked as an EMT. I am confident I will be able to successfully do shift work as an Emergency medicine resident."

"Part of what draws me to Emergency Medicine is the aspect of the job that you never know what may come in the door but you must be prepared for everything. I know that to get the experience necessary, I will need to spend residency working shifts of all kinds at all hours of the day and night. I really enjoyed all of my shifts in the Emergency Department as a medical student rotator and felt like I especially enjoyed busy overnights."

Have you completed all ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) requirements to start residency?

"Yes, I have completed steps 1 and 2 of ECFMG requirements for my J-1 visa. I have brought the supporting paperwork with me if you need me to provide that."

This question will only be important for Foreign Medical Graduates. If you are in this category, your interviewers will need to know that you already have your ECFMG certification by completing steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE.

If you are a foreign medical graduate, come to your Emergency Medicine Residency interviews prepared to discuss the steps you have taken for the ECFMG certification. If you have any supporting paperwork, bring it with you to the interview and offer it to the interviewers. You must be prepared with an affirmative answer to this question.

"Yes, I have gone above and beyond the requirements to be successful in your residency program and am excited to start this next chapter."

"Yes, and I can supply any documentation or paperwork you would like. I am looking forward to bringing my unique perspective to your program."

When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you respond?

"Our Controller recently came down with pneumonia the week of a major client presentation. He sent me what he had prepared, and I had to fill in the blanks. As an Analyst, being in a client-facing role was a bit out of my wheelhouse, but I adapted quickly and reminded myself that my team needed me."

When it comes to complex problem solving during Emergency Medicine Residency, decisions are not always readily reached. It takes practice, experience, and confidence to learn what decisions yield the best results in the toughest of situations. Your interviewers ask this question to know that you would come to their program knowing your abilities well enough from the start to make the quick decisions yourself instead of asking for assistance from a senior resident or faculty member.

Walk the interviewer through your decision-making process. Perhaps you go with a gut feeling, or maybe you rely on your education/experience. Maybe you rely on case studies that you have read in these instances. Trusting your gut is a skill, and the more you learn to trust your intuition, the easier it becomes to make these types of decisions. Demonstrate that you are confident and able to react swiftly when the need arises.

"When there is a quick solution I am eager to do the work and solve the problem. I try to respond efficiently and accomplish the mission. For example on clinical rotation there was a patient who needed to be taken to their car by wheel chair, but it was an hour wait before a transport assistant could help them. I asked for permission from my supervisor and then escorted them in the wheelchair myself."

"My past experiences have shown me that I thrive under pressure and am comfortable being uncomfortable in those types of situations. My method of solving them usually involves taking a moment to fully assess the situation and think of my top few options for solving it, both with conventional resources or other approaches I may not have tried in the past. Based off of this, I would choose the option that provided the maximum benefit with the least amount of risk or harm possible. Making decisions with incomplete information is difficult, but definitely at the core of what EM physicians do every day."

How would respond to a substance abuse patient having a seizure or other life-threatening event because of withdrawal? Should you deny him and teach him a lesson or give him what he needs?

"My job is not to teach anyone a lesson. My job is to render care for my patient's well-being. If that means finding a remedy that doesn't encourage his addiction, that's what I'll do. If it means giving him something--even the abused substance--to mitigate his life-threatening withdrawal, that becomes part of my legitimate treatment. My mission is to render care while, above all, causing no harm. I wouldn't hesitate to send a note to their primary care provider about getting a treatment plan set up to do what is best for the patient."

While you will have personal views on the lifestyle choices of the patients in your care, you will need to do what is best for your patients, no matter their situation. Your interviewers need to hear that you can put personal feelings aside and treat each patient appropriately.

Keep your answer concise and explain that you would do what is necessary to stabilize the patient. It is okay to talk a bit about your personal feelings, but tell your interviewers that you have the wherewithal to put those feelings aside. You can also talk about any follow-up that you would do once the patient has stabilized.

"It is important to treat every patient with respect no matter who they are or what they are being treated for. Also, it is critical to treat alcohol withdrawal. If it is not treated the seizures can be life threatening."

"I would never deny any patient, regardless of background or status, any medication or care that they needed. To do so would be inhuman, cruel, and totally opposite of everything I stand for. Human dignity is sacred and I don't think that I am any better than any patient I treat. I will always treat every patient equally with compassion and the appropriate intervention."

If you are treating someone repeatedly during Emergency Medicine Residency for crises that occur because they won't modify a certain lifestyle, how would you help this patient?

"Whether it's substance abuse, smoking, sexual promiscuity, or dietary choices, there are many reasons why people don't get better. Depending on the cause, there is probably a support group or educational platform I would recommend as a part of their therapy. I also know that there are persons for whom none of these efforts will do any good. As an ER doctor, I have to come to terms with the fact that some people can't be helped."

Repeat patients in an emergency room setting is not an uncommon occurrence and can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, patients prefer to use an emergency setting rather than scheduling appointments to see a primary care provider. In other cases, patients have an unhealthy lifestyle choice that continues to put them in harm's way. Your interviewers need you to understand that as an Emergency Medicine Resident, you will likely see some of these patients, and they expect you to be able to handle them.

As you answer this question, recognize the different types of patients that can and will be regular visitors to an emergency room. While discussing those types of patients, be sure not to cast judgment. Carefully describe how you would handle a patient who continues to come in for things like alcohol abuse, domestic violence, or smoking. Make sure your interviewers know that you would always take a patient-centered approach in providing the care needed and that you would do all in your power to educate the patient on making healthy lifestyles changes.

"A patient with multiple admissions and medical complexity often requires an interdisciplinary approach. I would try to talk with the rest of the medical team such as a social worker to make sure this patient has a follow up appointment scheduled with their primary care physician. In addition, I would try to see what other resources and education I could provide the patient to set them up for success in the future."

"I think that it's critically important to meet patients where they are and to understand the challenges they face in order to deliver patient-centered- care. In those types of situations, I would try and understand what could be holding the patient back from making such changes. Depending on that, I would try and connect them with resources through the ED- such as through Social Work, Care Managers, or Psychiatric Consultation- to help them address the root problem. I would also try to refer them to an appropriate primary care provider to help manage their long-term conditions more closely in order to avoid ER visits due to exacerbation."

How do you prevent stress from your personal life from entering your professional life and vice-versa?

"When I have a healthy balance in my personal life, I am much better at handling work-related stress. I know that keeping personal stress outside of the workplace can be difficult. I do my best to keep my personal life at home and report for each shift with a clean slate. I make a point to eat healthily, exercise daily, and avoid alcohol. As a resident with your program, I would be able to handle the practice stressors by staying focused on the tasks at hand, recognizing my triggers for stress, and talking with my colleagues."

A practicing physician in emergency medicine brings a unique set of emotional, mental, and physical challenges. On the job, stress can be alleviated by quickly treating and evaluating every patient in a busy emergency room setting. During your Emergency Medicine Residency interviews, your team of interviewers will ask several questions about your ability to manage the stress that comes with being a resident.

Directly address how you will avoid personal stressors from entering your work life so your interviewers feel confident that you will come to each shift with a fresh mind and body. Then, talk about how you plan to handle the stress that comes with being an Emergency Medicine Resident. Before your interview, be sure to put some thought into the strategies that you use to manage stress on the job.

"I find compartmentalization to be very important. It is very important to be able to separate work life from personal life and vice versa. In addition I try to do things like meditate and exercise while at home to control stress."

"I believe in a healthy work-life balance and have found that when I am intentional about separating the two or compartmentalizing them, I can help avoid stress from either side creeping into the other. This is sometimes difficult because I like to be my true, authentic self on both sides of life and can't separate aspects of my personality or being from either environment completely. For me, I think continuing to be a well-rounded person with a diverse set of interests personally and professionally allows me to not make any one aspect of my life a core personality trait that overpowers any other and could cause me to be unable to cope with personal or professional stressors."

How will you manage the high amounts of stress that are a part of being an Emergency Medicine Resident?

"When I am under pressure, I focus on the task at hand and make sure I don't get distracted. Keeping to a deadline is helpful, and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress. I know that these skills will be vital for success in a great Emergency Medicine Residency program like yours. During training, I plan to utilize my free time wisely by doing what is necessary to recharge my mind and rest my body. Some ways I like to do this are hiking, canoeing, and reading novels."

Physicians are known to have a high amount of stress and burnout due to the nature of the work. You need to be aware that the time demands and pressure of residency can lead to fatigue and little sleep. Your interviews want to hear about your plan to handle the high amounts of stress during your Emergency Medicine Residency.

Explain to your interviewers that you have the tools to keep your mind, body, and spirit in the best shape possible to learn and grow every day during your training as an Emergency Medicine Resident. Talk about your ability to maintain perspective, use your downtime to recharge, and come to each shift prepared for the challenges that you'll face.

"When dealing with a stressful situation I try to take things one step at a time and focus on the problem in front of me. After work I try to do things such as meditation to deal with stress."

"While I do thrive under pressure and stress, I am well aware that it can take its toll on our mental and emotional health. When I feel particularly stressed, one thing I have found really useful to help focus my mind is to take a step back, breath, and start making a list of what I things I need to do and label each as critical, not critical, require immediate action, or can be delayed. This then allows me to focus on the highest-priority and most time-sensitive actions first which usually helps relieve the majority of my stress."

If you were to see a peer resident having difficulty with an emergency procedure (e.g., blood gas retrieval, chest tube placement, intubation, etc.), how would you respond?

"That depends on the situation, of course. For example, getting arterial blood gases can be part of a routine diagnostic approach, or it may be time-sensitive. Things like intubation are always an emergency, and failure to accomplish it not only deprives the patient of its benefits--getting oxygen and preventing aspiration -- but can also traumatize the airway with inflammatory swelling or bleeding, which can cause morbidity later. In situations like this, I owe it to my peer to allow a trial of the procedure, but when I see the patient is in jeopardy because of failure to accomplish such a life-saving procedure, it is my responsibility to politely request to try. For a simple procedure that a peer was struggling with, I would take time after our shift to see if they want to learn about it more."

Since the ER handles the gamut of emergencies from simple observation or suturing to fatalities, many procedures can determine whether someone lives or dies. During your residency training and future practice, you will work with peers who may struggle with certain procedures. Your interviewers will want to hear that you can educate your peers constructively and respectfully.

Make it clear to your interviewers that you would be willing to step in and help if the situation was dire enough to call for it if you knew how to successfully handle the procedure. Then, discuss your ability to educate your peers clearly and concisely.

"I would go up to them and ask if they would like any help. Each of us at one point or another may struggle with a particular task, but we are a team and it is important to help one another."

"I would first let them know that I was present with them and ask if there was anything I could do to make their task easier. If they still struggled or failed, I would offer advice on ways I had previously been successful or had seen others be successful in that procedure. However, if at any point the patient's life was at risk, I would ask an attending physician to assist or would ask to do the procedure myself if I was more experienced or competent at the procedure."

Why is working collaboratively as part of a larger care team vital for an Emergency Medicine Resident?

"During medical school, I learned how important teamwork is in both a clinic and hospital setting. I intend to bring my top-notch communication skills to your Emergency Medicine Residency program. I maintain open lines of communication with my colleagues and support staff. In a busy emergency setting, there can be a hundred things happening at once, and the only way for the team to keep abreast of everything is through communication. I'm also excited to take charge of a care team. You'll quickly find that people typically work well with my leadership style. I listen to ideas from everyone, show respect for everyone I work with, and don't hesitate to grab the bull by the horns when needed."

As an Emergency Medicine Resident, you need to be prepared to step in and be the ultimate team player with faculty, fellow residents, and other members of the larger care team in the ED. The interviewers want to know that you are aware of the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the emergency care setting.

The goal of your response is to describe why collaboration is vital to running an efficient and quality emergency room. Describe your approach to collaborating with others. Highlight your leadership skills, communication skills, listening skills, and the respect you show for others in a working environment. If you have examples of times you've proven to be a team player, don't hesitate to share them.

"As an Emergency Medicine physician you often need a team approach to provide the best care to the patient. This can involve nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, consulting physicians of other specialties. A great emergency doctor is able to work effectively within the team."

"This is absolutely critical in all of medicine but especially in Emergency Medicine. We deal with the sickest and most complex patients, touching every specialty in healthcare. Knowing how to both lead a team and take direction is vital to making sure that we are able to provide the highest level of care for our patients. Whether this means working with Respiratory Therapists and Pharmacists to care for critically ill patients or working with a consultant Surgeon on the optimal management of a patient with a surgical complication, EM physicians must be capable of listening while leading."

What personality type or characteristic do you find most difficult to work with?

"I am most often challenged by staff who are poor communicators. Communication lines should always be open between residents, faculty, and the care team. If someone on my team wasn't communicating properly, I would respectfully approach them to explain what I need from them. If the problem persisted, I would take it up the proper chain of command."

In Emergency Medicine Residency training, you will work side by side with a very diverse group of residents and faculty, each with a unique personality and work style. Your interviewers ask this question to understand your ability to work with even the most difficult personality styles.

Pick a quality that doesn't reflect poorly on you. Talking about demanding personalities may make you seem lazy or unable to work with demanding faculty at the program. Instead, choose a quality that impairs the ability of even the most competent and hard-working doctors from delivering high-quality care or working as part of a high functioning team.

"I sometimes find it challenging to work with people who are not team players. When this happens I try to make them feel included so they feel comfortable to participate as a team member."

"I have found that in medicine, I have difficulty working with people who believe themselves to be infallible when it comes to patient care. Medicine is extremely complex and no matter the level of training, physicians should be humble about the fact that no person is perfect or incapable of making a medical error."

If you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency, what type of team player would you be?

"I have always thrived in a team environment and can be very fluid in the roles I play on a team, as long as it is for the greater good. I am most comfortable leading others and can't wait to do this with the team of nursing staff and other care staff at your institution as an Emergency Medicine Resident. My leadership starts with building rapport with my team and keeping lines of communication open on both ends. I encourage others to come to me when needed and don't hesitate to give our constructive feedback to my team members when necessary."

In the fast-paced world of an emergency room, teamwork and communication are essential in making sure that patients are triaged correctly, waiting times aren't backed up, and everyone leaves with the best possible care provided to them. Your interviewers are giving you chance to talk about the type of team player that you are.

Explain that you are a great communicator, can take direction, and can take charge and lead others when needed. If at all possible, talk about your experiences as part of a larger team and the role that you are most comfortable playing on a team. While this is an open-ended question, be sure to give some semblance of your ability to lead others respectfully.

"I believe being a team player is key to providing the best patient care. I am eager to work in a team with people of different backgrounds and talents to help patients."

"One aspect of Emergency Medicine that I love is that teamwork is critical and every situation requires a different balance of strengths and skills on those teams. I have been a successful part of teams as both a leader and as a supporter and I appreciate that I will be allowed to continue to dynamically shift roles for any given situation. I think I am skilled at having my voice and opinion heard without having to be the "boss" or drowning out the voices of others."

Emergency Medicine Residency Interview Questions

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1. There are things you will see every day in the ER most people only see once in a lifetime, if at all. As a resident, what measures will you use to avoid the depression that naturally comes from such consistent exposures?
2. Tell me about a time during medical school where you had a setback or failure? How did you respond to that setback?
3. What questions do you have for us?
4. Do you have any interest in pursuing academics and/or doing research as an Emergency Medicine Resident in our program and in your future career as a physician?
5. Following your Emergency Medicine Residency training, what environment do you see yourself practicing in?
6. Effective communication skills are essential for success in an Emergency Medicine Residency. How would you describe your communication skills?
7. What EHR systems were you exposed to during your medical school training?
8. Are there any invasive procedures that intimidate you?
9. As a new Emergency Medicine Resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?
10. How do you think you will perform under pressure as an Emergency Medicine Resident?
11. What would you do if a verbally abusive patient were to begin shouting ethnic slurs that your other patients found disturbing?
12. As an Emergency Medicine Resident, are you prepared to handle combative and verbally abusive patients, even if they are spitting and forcefully removing things like IVs and catheters?
13. How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the emergency practice setting?
14. In the ED, we work with patients in their most vulnerable states. What about your personality and style will make you an ideal fit to work with our vulnerable patients as an Emergency Medicine Resident?
15. How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as an Emergency Medicine Resident?
16. Would you be willing and able to complete our background check process if you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency training program?
17. If being an Emergency Medicine Physician was not an option, what career path would you have chosen outside of medicine?
18. Are you interviewing with any other Emergency Medicine Residency programs?
19. Outside of your medical training, what keeps you busy on a day to day basis?
20. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Emergency Medicine Residency training?
21. What do you feel is your greatest weakness you would have in joining our Emergency Medicine Residency program?
22. What made you choose to pursue Emergency Medicine Residency training?
23. What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to our Emergency Medicine Residency?
24. Would you have any issues relocating to join our Emergency Medicine Residency program?
25. Will you be able to handle the shift work that is required in our Emergency Medicine Residency program?
26. Have you completed all ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) requirements to start residency?
27. When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you respond?
28. How would respond to a substance abuse patient having a seizure or other life-threatening event because of withdrawal? Should you deny him and teach him a lesson or give him what he needs?
29. If you are treating someone repeatedly during Emergency Medicine Residency for crises that occur because they won't modify a certain lifestyle, how would you help this patient?
30. How do you prevent stress from your personal life from entering your professional life and vice-versa?
31. How will you manage the high amounts of stress that are a part of being an Emergency Medicine Resident?
32. If you were to see a peer resident having difficulty with an emergency procedure (e.g., blood gas retrieval, chest tube placement, intubation, etc.), how would you respond?
33. Why is working collaboratively as part of a larger care team vital for an Emergency Medicine Resident?
34. What personality type or characteristic do you find most difficult to work with?
35. If you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency, what type of team player would you be?

Emergency Medicine Residency Interview Questions

1. There are things you will see every day in the ER most people only see once in a lifetime, if at all. As a resident, what measures will you use to avoid the depression that naturally comes from such consistent exposures?

2. Tell me about a time during medical school where you had a setback or failure? How did you respond to that setback?

3. What questions do you have for us?

4. Do you have any interest in pursuing academics and/or doing research as an Emergency Medicine Resident in our program and in your future career as a physician?

5. Following your Emergency Medicine Residency training, what environment do you see yourself practicing in?

6. Effective communication skills are essential for success in an Emergency Medicine Residency. How would you describe your communication skills?

7. What EHR systems were you exposed to during your medical school training?

8. Are there any invasive procedures that intimidate you?

9. As a new Emergency Medicine Resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?

10. How do you think you will perform under pressure as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

11. What would you do if a verbally abusive patient were to begin shouting ethnic slurs that your other patients found disturbing?

12. As an Emergency Medicine Resident, are you prepared to handle combative and verbally abusive patients, even if they are spitting and forcefully removing things like IVs and catheters?

13. How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the emergency practice setting?

14. In the ED, we work with patients in their most vulnerable states. What about your personality and style will make you an ideal fit to work with our vulnerable patients as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

15. How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as an Emergency Medicine Resident?

16. Would you be willing and able to complete our background check process if you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency training program?

17. If being an Emergency Medicine Physician was not an option, what career path would you have chosen outside of medicine?

18. Are you interviewing with any other Emergency Medicine Residency programs?

19. Outside of your medical training, what keeps you busy on a day to day basis?

20. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Emergency Medicine Residency training?

21. What do you feel is your greatest weakness you would have in joining our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

22. What made you choose to pursue Emergency Medicine Residency training?

23. What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to our Emergency Medicine Residency?

24. Would you have any issues relocating to join our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

25. Will you be able to handle the shift work that is required in our Emergency Medicine Residency program?

26. Have you completed all ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) requirements to start residency?

27. When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you respond?

28. How would respond to a substance abuse patient having a seizure or other life-threatening event because of withdrawal? Should you deny him and teach him a lesson or give him what he needs?

29. If you are treating someone repeatedly during Emergency Medicine Residency for crises that occur because they won't modify a certain lifestyle, how would you help this patient?

30. How do you prevent stress from your personal life from entering your professional life and vice-versa?

31. How will you manage the high amounts of stress that are a part of being an Emergency Medicine Resident?

32. If you were to see a peer resident having difficulty with an emergency procedure (e.g., blood gas retrieval, chest tube placement, intubation, etc.), how would you respond?

33. Why is working collaboratively as part of a larger care team vital for an Emergency Medicine Resident?

34. What personality type or characteristic do you find most difficult to work with?

35. If you were to match into our Emergency Medicine Residency, what type of team player would you be?