If you had dismissed a patient from your practice, how would you feel about being assigned him or her in the ED as part of a rotational call for indigent patients or unassigned patients?

"Even if I had dismissed a patient, I know I still must follow policy and accept him or her without any type of attitude. On the other hand, if the patient were to refuse to see me because of our past, I would call the Patient Advocate to help solve the awkward situation."

This asks about your willingness to comply with policy. All physicians have had the unpleasant experience of having a patient fail to pay or be non-compliant. Although this may have resulted in dismissal from your practice, you still may have to accept him or her in order to fulfill an obligatory role.

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?

"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."

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.

If parents wanted you to administer growth hormone to their child purely for a height advantage as it relates to sports, how would you react?

"There is such a thing as 'off-label' prescribing, which is prescribing a legitimate FDA-approved drug for other than approved indications. But these must be legitimate indications, which in my mind means to treat a health abnormality or disease. Not being tall enough is not a disease, unless one were treating pathological short stature, and that would have nothing to do with one's athletic plans in life, but with a proven pathology. Therefore, I would decline but give an education on the risks of being so casually medicated."

There just aren't that many controversies in Endocrinology, but this is one of them. Athletes, especially from other countries, have at times been offered such therapy, but this is not considered legitimate here; and that should be your position.

Do you agree that the best way to practice is via evidence-based medicine?

"Evidence-based medicine is based on the literature and you should expect me to stay current with the literature. However, for those outliers under the bell curve--those 'zebras' in medicine, I'm not forbidden to use 'off-label,' but legitimate, paths in my diagnostic or procedural protocols so that I can offer solutions that can't be found in the literature."

Many third-party payers are now basing reimbursement on procedures and diagnostics that align with evidence-based 'best practices.' But medicine is an art in which judgement also applies, as well as the impact of your particular skills as a diagnostician or your technical prowess in doing procedures. Nevertheless, 'evidence-based medicine' is here to stay, even if is based on a Gaussian distribution that doesn't take into account the 'outliers' under the bell curve. For these, thinking outside of the curve is still needed, and you should say that.

Do you have any hesitation referring to other endocrine specialists, such as gynecological or pediatric?

"I plan to practice along the lines of Internal Medicine when it has a direct cause-and-effect relationship with Endocrinology. I use consultation liberally when it's for the best health impact on my patient. I also will frequently partner with someone who might do something better or is more qualified than me. That's a win for everyone, especially the patient."

They want to know if you are too tenacious, even to the point of practicing out of your comfort zone, meaning, practicing appropriately. You should always answer questions like this based on what is best for your patient.

Do you participate in Medicare assignment?

"Yes, I accept Medicare assignment. Or, I accept Medicare but I am a non-participating doctor for accepting assignment. Or, I have opted out of Medicare. (Unlikely in Internal Medicine or its subspecialties.)"

This only applies to those employed by the hospital or group, not independent staff, so answer accordingly. The larger the entity, the more likely they are official Medicare providers.

How is your attendance at general staff and department meetings?

"I may have missed meetings from time to time--usually due to my being occupied in clinical duties or vacation. However, I realize how important the business of the hospital (or group) is and will make every effort to improve my attendance."

It takes a bureaucracy to run a large group or a hospital. For that, doctors are needed, which means you have a responsibility for participating in the clerical work involved. This means lots of meetings, taking you away from your office or family. But this question doesn't ask whether you will attend, but how well you have attended in the past. Tell the truth, in case your information is vetted by a phone call or two. If you have been not so great at attending meetings in the past, just say you intend to do better.Sample answer is of someone who has not been in regular attendance in the past:

What would be your response to hearing a code being called in the middle of the night as you're getting ready to go home after attending a patient?

"I wouldn't respond if I were attending an unstable patient or if I were in the middle of a procedure; otherwise, I'm there, no matter what."

You would respond. That's the answer, even though it's tempting to assume that someone else is already there and responding. And while that is usually the case, you don't want to be suspected of trying to get out of this obligation.

If there were an issue with one of your colleagues, could we call upon you to serve on an investigating committee?

"I feel I would have an obligation to do this, since it can affect patient care and safety. If it were a close personal friend involved, I would ask that I be removed for objectivity's sake, but if not, I would ask that another colleague join me in my duties to give it credibility."

Medical entities have a serious obligation to investigate anything that can affect or jeopardize patient care. Simply, such matters are explored and dispositions made so that they don't happen again. Joint Commission accreditation depends on this, as well as insurance reimbursements, and the public reputation is threatened when uncorrected omissions or errors in care recur. This question is about your having the courage to do the right thing.

Have you ever been suspended from a staff for failure to sign off on your charts or make sure all of your dictations are current?

"Yes, I've occasionally gotten behind on my signatures and dictations, but I know it's important for me to be diligent and to keep everything current. I'm well aware of how reimbursement from third-party payers can be delayed by incomplete charts; and for me, just as importantly, I need accuracy in the specifics of a procedure or rounds; if too much time passes, my memory can be spotty, so I agree that keeping current is important and certainly intend to do that."

Not a 'real' suspension, this is a technique to light a fire under those who may be impacting the bottom line because of loose ends in documentation. Although such 'suspensions' are frowned upon, they aren't necessarily condemned; just know that this is a question of fiscal importance.

If you were to receive a notice from our Executive Committee about something you're doing that may have medical or legal repercussions, how would you react?

"Beforehand, I would certainly consult the literature about what I was doing. My training does allow for autonomy, but if I learned that valid problem justified their worries, I would report to them that I've learned from this and won't be repeating my mistake. However, if I could defend what I'm doing from the medical literature, I would state my case but also tell them I will accept any decision they make."

This is not just about hospital policy but is a challenge to your clinical discretion and privileges. Therefore, it can be upsetting. This is a question of how you handle any personal challenge. Even if you're right and they're wrong, you should assure them you would understand their rationale and want to comply with any requests intended for clinical excellence.

How would you handle Utilization Review asking you to discharge a patient who doesn't want to go home yet?

"If it were dangerous to send a patient home, I would dictate a note of necessity for keeping the patient, based on medical grounds. This way the UR Department can send it for approval by the third-party payer. On the other hand, if a patient just wanted to stay for some non-medical reason, I would explain that having satisfied criteria for discharge requires discharge, but that I would be happy to offer home health follow-up if his or her plan allows for it."

Protecting the hospital's bottom line from insurance denials is the basis for UR actions, and thus is based on compliance with established insurance company formulae. Therefore, any non-compliance on your part will pit you against the hospital. However, it is usually easy to find a solution that benefits everyone.

Are you willing to accept and use our electronic medical health record system here?

"As a staff member, I intend to comply with all of your established protocols, including EHR."

Again, are you going to 'fit in' with the way things are done? Thus, you should agree, because every organization will be using some sort of EHR.

Why do you want to join [ENTITY REPRESENTED BY INTERVIEWER]?

"I know that the values here are the same as my own. In my research, I particularly like your community interaction, your embracing diversity, and always putting the patient first. This is the same professional mindset by which I think I can be the most productive and happy."

You can both compliment the hospital [or group] and make yourself look good by embracing the qualities extolled in its Mission Statement. This is readily available online and is usually displayed on its website; you should identify with it as part of your interview approach. You can answer this question by telling your interviewer that those values are the same as yours and are prominent in the way you practice.

Are there any aspects of your background items that might reflect poorly on our hospital (or group)?

"I had an arrest for a DUI when I was much younger. I do not have a substance abuse problem; however, I completed a program successfully that was part of my settlement. There have been no issues in over [number] years."

Things such as a criminal record or substance abuse are frequently reasons for running away from a prior association. If you have something that they're going to find out anyway, you should own it and explain the steps you took to eliminate the risk of it recurring, i.e., rehab, successfully completed therapy, etc. You should also state that you find a probationary period of supervision acceptable, reasonable, and even prudent.The most desirable response is 'No.' However, here is a sample answer of someone with a DUI in his or her past:

Are you going to be doing any chronic pain care?

"As an Endocrinologist and an Internist, I have a responsibility to believe my patient's self-report of pain, and I feel comfortable prescribing according to my patient's need in any acute setting, I don't see myself managing chronic pain but, instead, referring him or her a rheumatologist, physiatrist, anesthesiologist, or other pain management specialist."

If you don't plan on managing chronic pain, this answer is simple; but if you do, your interviewer will want to know about it, because the opioid crisis makes bad publicity from overdoses and institutions and groups don't want controversy. Even less, they don't want extra scrutiny from the DEA and your state board. Know that you're being asked whether you're participating in controversial practices.

Do you think telemedicine is here to stay?

"The difference between good telemedicine and inappropriate telemedicine is a function of assessing a patient's signs and symptoms. A patient's physical presence and an exam are needed to document signs that are pertinent to the chief complaint. On the other hand, symptoms that are not part of the diagnostic process but are expected in management lend themselves better for telemedicine. If a patient is an established patient, I might very well be able to discuss and manage symptoms or medications via telemedicine. Any initial visit by a new patient, however, would require me to see him or her before reverting to telemedicine visits."

Since COVID-19, telemedicine is definitely here to stay, and you're being asked to embrace it, because all entities are scrambling to incorporate it into their fiscal planning. You can state that no one method solves all problems, so while you don't embrace it blindly, you do plan to use it thoughtfully within parameters of good medical care.

Are you planning to do any invasive procedures?

"I follow my specialty's guidelines for the criteria required for such procedures, both as for the appropriateness of patient selection and for my ability and training to do them. I can cite my complication rates when I apply for any invasive procedures during your credentialling process."

The place at which you're interviewing doesn't want doctors attempting privileges beyond their training. The question isn't worded that way, but that's really what is being asked here. It also hints of wanting to know what your complication rates are.

How would you respond if you discovered a colleague doing or saying something inappropriate?

"Something sensitive like this must be accurate, so I would first make certain that what I saw or heard was seen or heard correctly. Any transgression that compromised patient care, would reflect poorly on the hospital (group), or be unethical, immoral, or illegal, I would report up the appropriate chain of command."

Since this isn't your problem to fix, you should always stand by the chain of command. A hospital or group wants to handle these things only in certain ways, and you can assure them of this by stating you'll follow the chain of command, all the way up to department chairman, Executive Committee, administrator, or the Human Resources Department.

Here we follow a policy of [STIPULATED]. Does this cause any discomfort for you?

"I expect no conflict with [STIPULATED]. My only absolute is that I treat any patient who wants and/or needs my services and that I be permitted to do what is best for him or her. If that goes against any policy here, I will simply state the policy and invite the patient to see someone else."

Never have a problem with any protocol or policy in effect for where you're applying. A good example is a Catholic hospital that won't allow you to prescribe mifepristone for pregnancy termination. Before interviewing, decide whether you can practice under any stipulated policies. The good news is that seldom will anything like this be a dealbreaker for you personally.

Are you willing to see 'indigent' or 'charity' cases if you are assigned one as part of your staff duties?

"Being unwilling to see anyone would go against my own principles--to see anyone who needs my services. The demographic here includes the underserved, so in such a scenario, I would be obligated to seeing and treating."

You should know their demographics and be comfortable with them because these patients will become your patients. You should always answer that you have no problems seeing anyone who needs you. Always stay on point with this, because you just can't go wrong. Many groups and hospitals have a 'life-and-limb' list of doctors rotating turns and seeing unassigned emergency patients. If a hospital accepts Medicare or Medicaid funds, then no patient can be refused in their Emergency Department. Even if your private practice doesn't accept these patients, you will still be required to see such patients as part of doing your duty on a 'life-and-limb' ED rotation and, as part of that, you must also provide follow-up, regardless of your office practice preferences. Of course, with your specialty, it is assumed you accept Medicare.

How will your patients be cared for when you're not available, such as with illness or for your vacation?

"I'm going to serve on committees within your Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Gynecology departments so that I can arrange reciprocal call agreements with staff members. In the beginning, when my patient base is still small, however, I probably won't be taking much time off."

Coverage for the absence of a staff member is usually a requirement stated in any organization's by-laws. That is, if you're on staff, your patients shouldn't go without care: you're required to make arrangements for these gaps of coverage. If you're familiar with the practitioners in the area, you can request from others on staff a reciprocal on-call relationship; if you're new, you can state that you'll be serving on committees that will allow you to meet others allied to your specialty so that you can make such arrangements.

Have you had any lawsuits currently or in the past, including any settlements?

"I have two lawsuits from just complications--one due to a side effect of a medication and another for a faulty glucometer. After discovery, I expect both to prescribe without incident or settlement."

This is a question asked simply to avoid employers hiring someone who might lose them money or jeopardize a reputation that's been hard-earned. Nevertheless, all doctors get sued sooner or later, and many of these legal actions never come to pass. The interviewer will not hold it against you for a lawsuit--he or she just doesn't want someone sued so frequently that it suggests that you're the problem and not overzealous attorneys. Most suits are filed for the purpose of beginning discovery to see if there really is merit to a case, and then the bogus claims go away or prescribe, and your prospective employer knows this; however, a settlement may seem just as bad as any lawsuit you lose, since most settlements are made to contain damage from a likely unfavorable outcome. Be straightforward, but make sure you give your side of the story--factually and unapologetically. Don't shift blame to anyone else, because that looks bad. Own it, and if you can explain how a lawsuit occurred from just a complication, this is something easily understood by any hospital administrator or large group administrator.

Would you please tell me a little about yourself?

"I am married with two children. After my Internal Medicine residency, I did my endocrinology fellowship for two years. After that, I remained at the school for another year as staff. But now I want more clinical exposure instead of mainly academic, so that is why I'm applying here now."

This should be answered simply, and you should state not only why you want this position but also why you're leaving your current position. Even if they don't ask the latter, they will want to know, so proactively you should state why. Our sample answer is from someone with gaps in his/her professional path.

What do you think you have that can make our [ENTITY OR GROUP] better?

"I choose to apply here because of your pursuit of excellence and your reputation for up-to-date medicine. I also am excited about your continuing education programs that align with my need for growth and my wanting to teach. Just because I left academic medicine doesn't mean I want to abandon it. I can be useful in programs that keep Pediatricians, Emergency Physicians, and Internists up to date with the latest in diabetes, especially the ketoacidosis, infections, and other pediatric complications of diabetes that can appear in your Emergency Department."

You shouldn't answer this question with how you're an expert and have a lot of experience. But you do want to pat yourself on the back a little; saying that while you find the practice here impressive, you've noticed some areas in which you could improve the breadth and depth of care. This is like saying that you can not only give this hospital or group what's needed, but even go beyond that. You should find a way to add that you offer additional resources that other places don't have, which would make this place stand out from a marketing standpoint. (This is where you can tout your special interests.) For example, while you may be boarded in Endocrinology, or even further trained (for example, in Pediatric Endocrinology), you might say your special interest is in Type 1 diabetes.

Endocrinology Physician Interview Questions

Go Back

1. If you had dismissed a patient from your practice, how would you feel about being assigned him or her in the ED as part of a rotational call for indigent patients or unassigned patients?
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?
3. If parents wanted you to administer growth hormone to their child purely for a height advantage as it relates to sports, how would you react?
4. Do you agree that the best way to practice is via evidence-based medicine?
5. Do you have any hesitation referring to other endocrine specialists, such as gynecological or pediatric?
6. Do you participate in Medicare assignment?
7. How is your attendance at general staff and department meetings?
8. What would be your response to hearing a code being called in the middle of the night as you're getting ready to go home after attending a patient?
9. If there were an issue with one of your colleagues, could we call upon you to serve on an investigating committee?
10. Have you ever been suspended from a staff for failure to sign off on your charts or make sure all of your dictations are current?
11. If you were to receive a notice from our Executive Committee about something you're doing that may have medical or legal repercussions, how would you react?
12. How would you handle Utilization Review asking you to discharge a patient who doesn't want to go home yet?
13. Are you willing to accept and use our electronic medical health record system here?
14. Why do you want to join [ENTITY REPRESENTED BY INTERVIEWER]?
15. Are there any aspects of your background items that might reflect poorly on our hospital (or group)?
16. Are you going to be doing any chronic pain care?
17. Do you think telemedicine is here to stay?
18. Are you planning to do any invasive procedures?
19. How would you respond if you discovered a colleague doing or saying something inappropriate?
20. Here we follow a policy of [STIPULATED]. Does this cause any discomfort for you?
21. Are you willing to see 'indigent' or 'charity' cases if you are assigned one as part of your staff duties?
22. How will your patients be cared for when you're not available, such as with illness or for your vacation?
23. Have you had any lawsuits currently or in the past, including any settlements?
24. Would you please tell me a little about yourself?
25. What do you think you have that can make our [ENTITY OR GROUP] better?

Endocrinology Physician Interview Questions

1. If you had dismissed a patient from your practice, how would you feel about being assigned him or her in the ED as part of a rotational call for indigent patients or unassigned patients?

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?

3. If parents wanted you to administer growth hormone to their child purely for a height advantage as it relates to sports, how would you react?

4. Do you agree that the best way to practice is via evidence-based medicine?

5. Do you have any hesitation referring to other endocrine specialists, such as gynecological or pediatric?

6. Do you participate in Medicare assignment?

7. How is your attendance at general staff and department meetings?

8. What would be your response to hearing a code being called in the middle of the night as you're getting ready to go home after attending a patient?

9. If there were an issue with one of your colleagues, could we call upon you to serve on an investigating committee?

10. Have you ever been suspended from a staff for failure to sign off on your charts or make sure all of your dictations are current?

11. If you were to receive a notice from our Executive Committee about something you're doing that may have medical or legal repercussions, how would you react?

12. How would you handle Utilization Review asking you to discharge a patient who doesn't want to go home yet?

13. Are you willing to accept and use our electronic medical health record system here?

14. Why do you want to join [ENTITY REPRESENTED BY INTERVIEWER]?

15. Are there any aspects of your background items that might reflect poorly on our hospital (or group)?

16. Are you going to be doing any chronic pain care?

17. Do you think telemedicine is here to stay?

18. Are you planning to do any invasive procedures?

19. How would you respond if you discovered a colleague doing or saying something inappropriate?

20. Here we follow a policy of [STIPULATED]. Does this cause any discomfort for you?

21. Are you willing to see 'indigent' or 'charity' cases if you are assigned one as part of your staff duties?

22. How will your patients be cared for when you're not available, such as with illness or for your vacation?

23. Have you had any lawsuits currently or in the past, including any settlements?

24. Would you please tell me a little about yourself?

25. What do you think you have that can make our [ENTITY OR GROUP] better?