How to Answer: If you see a patient who wants to be treated for obesity because of what she claimed was a congenital abnormality, what is your approach to such a patient?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Endocrinology Physician job interview.
2. If you see a patient who wants to be treated for obesity because of what she claimed was a congenital abnormality, what is your approach to such a patient?
How to Answer
This isn't so much controversial as it is a question of where you draw the line in simply granting a patient's request. Obesity is a disease, but it's a bit murky when you figure in lifestyle choices that contribute to it. Thus, it can have a strong psychological cause, underscoring the fact that it can't just be reprimanded and blamed on gluttony or sloth. It also can have a real genetic component. Such a patient erroneously believes it is simply between his or her doctor and him- or herself, which isn't true. In this case, evidence-based medicine comes to the rescue, and your interviewer just wants to know whether you'll treat this like the disease it is or merely like granting a favor.
Written by Ryan Brown on March 10th, 2021
Answer Example
"Obesity is very complex. I feel it is wrong to assume a genetic component just because an obese relative accompanies him or her to the appointment. I would educate this patient on the many contributions to obesity, including the genetic component which can be easily measured in levels of ghrelin or leptin or antibodies to them. I would also stress the lifestyle changes that may require psychological therapy. Although I wouldn't just write a prescription, I would tell him or her that it really needs to be treated and that begins with the things I've explained."
Written by Ryan Brown on March 10th, 2021