You and a peer are waiting on a patient's blood work. You tell the peer one of you should contact the lab and not wait. The results could make a difference overnight. It is the end of the shift; your partner says it can wait and leaves. What do you do?

"There are two ways to handle this. First, I could tell the new team that the labs need to be addressed and get their assurance that they'll follow up. Alternatively, I could do it myself. The only way I can be sure it gets done is by doing it myself, even if it means staying beyond my shift. Since my team ordered the test, it is my responsibility. I would also tell my peer that I expect the same level of dedication from both of us and that our team is only as good as its weakest link."

Your interviewing team will be interested in the overall dedication to patient care that each potential resident has. This is a question about dedication and putting the patient first.

Another team will likely be taking over at the end of the shift, but if the lab results are not dealt with right away, a lot can happen in the meantime. Let the interviewer know that you believe that any test ordered obligates the one ordering it to act upon it as soon as it is ready. You may also mention how you would handle your peer who did not wait.

"Patient safety should always come first. I would personally try to contact the lab to get the results of the patient's blood work. If the result was still not available, I would sign out the information to the overnight resident. I would emphasize that this is something important to follow up on."

"If it can make the difference then it is worth calling the lab. It is ok if I stay 5 or 10 minutes on the phone after my shift."

"I will take care of it myself. I don't mind staying extra time for the patient's best interest."

"I would call ahead to the lab to ensure that I can get the results before passing on the knowledge to my co-workers at shift change."

"My priority is my patients, so in this situation, I would first update the team coming about the labs and stress the need for the results to be handled when they come back. If they can reassure me that it will be managed appropriately, I will contact the lab to ensure there are no delays and that the sample is processed promptly. If the team coming on cannot handle this situation I would stay until I can handle it and the patient receives the care he/she needs."

"I contact the lab and get an update. I do this because it means the patient can get answers or treatment faster, and I do not enjoy keeping patients just because it buys us time to figure it out. I want to keep patients in the hospital for the shortest amount of time possible. I expect the result of contacting the lab will be either finding out the result or expediting its result. Either way, it improves the efficiency of care and is a patient-centered effort."

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

"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."

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, you 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.

"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 to study for me. 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."

"I remember that I was about to fail biochemistry in med school. I set myself down and thought about what brought me to this point and how I can improve myself in this subject. I always remind myself of my goals and what motivates me whenever I face any hard situation, whether in my career life or my social life. I tell myself that this is temporary, I can handle it, and I usually do."

"This was during internal medicine clinical rotation. It was my first rotation overall and I did not understand how to balance studying and workload at the hospital or with my preceptors. Therefore, my shelf scores during practice suffered as a result, however, I sought out advice from preceptors as well as got an outside tutor to help with both understanding the material as well as management."

"I struggled with delivering confident, organized presentations early in my clinical phase. I learned the importance of a growth-oriented mindset, and by studying effective presentation formats online, I developed a personalized template for presenting patients, ensuring presentations were consistently concise and organized."

"Before I was able to sit for USMLE step 2, my school required us to obtain a high score on the CCSE exam. The first time I took it I did not achieve the required score. I felt so defeated. I took a weekend to process everything and go to the beach with my dog before starting fresh Monday morning with a new schedule and utilizing my resources better (tutor, TA sessions, etc). From there the sky was the limit and I was able to bypass the required score and move on to step 2."

You are being interviewed by a prospective patient couple who want to know your views on pregnancy termination before agreeing to come to you. How would you respond?

"I would tell the couple that my personal views are just that--personal, but I would assure them that all patients have rights and that I will never interfere with their own legal, personal choices. I would also explain that if there are aspects of medicine I choose not to be directly or even indirectly involved with, it is my right to recuse myself with the understanding that I will refer them to another practice for the appropriate education before making a very important decision."

This sort of thing happens; patients want to make sure their personal views and their doctors' views align. Your interviewers at this family medicine residency can pose a question like this with many scenarios, and they'll want to hear that you can deliver an educated response that outlines the pros and cons of any controversial medical subject while keeping your personal opinions out of the conversation.

You should not offer your personal view. Instead, assure your interviewers that you will follow the proper protocols for educating patients with an unwanted pregnancy. Talk about the importance of educating the patient on all of their options and what each option could potentially mean for them. Stress that maintaining a neutral yet educational viewpoint is important to you.

"I would tell them that it is my job to discuss with them all medically appropriate options that are available to them. I will do my best to help them make an informed decision. My personal opinions will not interfere in making sure they are provided with the best care."

"I promise the couple that I will not judge you, but I support you in the decision you make. I will make sure that you have all the medical information that you need before you decide what to do."

"I would be 100% honest with them that I will not let my personal views interfere with patient care. How I feel on the subject matter is my opinion alone, however, when a patient is under my care, I will present all legal and current medical treatment and options there are so the patient can obtain the best care."

"My job is to provide you with everything that you need to make an informed decision. That includes all of the options and each of their risks and benefits. My job is not to judge, but to support. In any case, where my personal views conflict with providing you with the highest quality of care, I assure you I will take responsibility for finding a provider who can adequately meet your needs."

What would you do about a patient who was rude to your receptionist?

"Being rude is one thing, but abuse is another. Personal attacks and verbal abuse with foul language are hurtful, and it's ugly for other patients to see. I would have a duty to protect not only my employee but my patients from abuse. If the situation didn't quite go that far, I would make sure to quickly insert myself into the conversation to let the patient know they were being out of line and would do so in a respectful manner."

In a family practice setting, patients can often be irritable, upset, or in a bad mood. You will likely witness a patient being rude to a receptionist or other staff members, and your interviewing team wants to know that you can handle this situation with class and dignity.

In a situation like this, you need to ensure that the patient knows they are being out of line and that your receptionist is okay. In your answer, talk about your ability to use good judgment and be respectful in a situation like this and yet forthright when needed.

"Just as it is important for staff to respect patients, it is very important that patients treat staff in a respectable manner. I would calmly let the patient know that it is unacceptable to treat any member of our hardworking team in a disrespectful manner."

"I will come closer and try to find out what is the reason behind this conversation, and how I can help. I will try to make things easy for the patient. Most of the patients are in pain and they can leash out easily. I will apologize for any inconvenience in the system (to the patient and receptionist)."

"In a calming voice, I will stand up for my receptionist and let the patient know that I understand that they have frustrations, but they cannot take out their frustration on my staff. I will be more than happy to address their concerns and seek to resolve them. If they refuse to do so, then I will ask them to leave the clinic and reschedule at another time that is convenient for them."

"My goal is always to have a safe office and protect my staff. In this situation, I would first ensure the secretary is okay, and then address the patient's concerns and inform them that this behavior is not acceptable and cannot happen again."

First impressions are important. What would you do about a scheduler who you discovered was being rude to a patient?

"If a patient was present on-site and the rudeness was blunt, I would first remove the scheduler from the situation. Then I would assure the patient that I'd like to help them myself. I would then explain to the colleague what I expect from them and that subsequent behavior could result in disciplinary action. Not every person's social skills, unfortunately, are salvageable, and I would have to act as a prudent administrator for my practice."

A doctor is expected to put their patient first, especially in a family practice setting. Your interviewers want to hear that you can handle a situation like this quickly, using a straightforward and tactful approach.

Explain to your interviewers that you have a conversation with the scheduler in question and escalate it if the situation warrants it. Talk about the importance of building trusting and respectful relationships with all of your colleagues and why that would be helpful in a situation like this. If the situation warrants it, don't hesitate to talk about the steps you would take to ensure that the patient was apologized to and taken care of if you felt they were wronged.

"Medicine is a team effort and it takes everyone working together in a professional manner to provide excellent care. I would talk with the scheduler and I would remind them that while we all have bad days it is important we be the utmost professional to our patients."

"I would take the scheduler aside and address their actions privately and independently. I would ask if there is any stress that is going on in their lives that would lead to a change in how they are acting towards patients. I would also apologize to the patients for any misunderstandings."

"First, I would pull the schedular aside to a private location and directly ask what happened. From there I would remind him/her that the first impression of this office starts with you and that it is best for the patients and yourself to approach it in a better way."

Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Family 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 geriatrics, hospice, palliative medicine, and urgent care. Working with the elderly and end-of-life care has always interested me, and I'd love to focus part of my future practice in these areas."

Family Medicine Residency training programs often offer a wide array of elective rotations to give future family practice physicians a wide array of skills. Ideally, 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 with their program that will set you up for success after your time with their program. Before your interview, be sure to 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 think a pediatrics rotation, gynecology rotation, and infectious disease rotation could be very helpful elective rotations. Ophthalmology is another rotation that would come in handy."

"Yes, I am looking for electives such as emergency, pain, seizure, and cardiac focused."

"I have! I see that your program offers an eye elective that I am very excited about. I would like to take electives that are not normally my strongest subjects to broaden my education."

What do you wish to gain through training in our Family Medicine Residency program?

"I hope to gain immense professional growth through strong mentorship by your great faculty and live your mission of serving your patients and community in any way possible. I love that your program offers strong training in both adolescent and geriatric medicine because I want to one day practice in a rural setting and care for patients of all ages."

The interviewers would like to better understand your expectations of their Family Medicine Residency program. When your overall expectations are understood, your interviewers will have a better sense of how well you will fit in if you are accepted.

Research the residency program and the institution itself before the interview. Look at the mission and values of the organization, the curriculum of the program, and where past residents have found practices post-residency. No matter how you answer, take accountability for your growth and experiences.

"My goal is to come out of the program being the most competent Family Medicine attending physician that I can be. I hope to gain the skills and knowledge to improve patient's lives. I learned so much when I did my rotation here and I think this program would be an excellent fit."

"I would like to further cultivate my leadership skills and interpersonal capabilities throughout the program. I would also like to have opportunities to head my initiatives or promote a well-meaning community outreach initiative that bridges healthcare and misunderstandings the public may have."

Do you have any desire to engage in research as a Family Medicine Resident? How about as you get into practice post-residency training?

"My passion for primary care goes beyond clinical care. I have a strong passion for healthcare improvement efforts and would love to engage in research related to improving hospital readmission rates and enhancing patient involvement. Can you talk a bit about the types of research your current classes of residents are engaging in right now?"

If asked this question during your interview, there's a strong chance that the Family Medicine Residency you are interviewing with strongly encourages its residents to engage in research as a resident. Your interviewers will want to hear that you are interested in some aspect of research as you pursue clinical training in family practice.

You hopefully have a sense of the types of research that interest you. Whether that would be in clinical research, healthcare quality, or practice improvement research, come to your interview prepared to speak passionately about that research interest. If you have experience in medical research during medical school, be sure to bring up that experience in your answer.

"Yes, specifically I am interested in research focused on quality improvement projects to improve patient care. I am especially interested in doing a quality improvement project to look at increasing the number of patients who follow up in the clinic after discharge from the hospital within 1 week of discharge."

"Yes, there are a few topics that I am interested in participating in research. I have experience with clinical research including practice and have a rough understanding of the process, and have curiosities that I have come across from my current medical education that I would like to further explore if given the chance."

Following Family Medicine Residency training, do you foresee yourself practicing in an urban or rural setting?

"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 more rural settings. My ideal practice will allow me to have a full scope of practice with my rural patients while also having system access to great specialists to be able to refer my patients to."

As a medical student pursuing Family Medicine Residency and a future as a family physician, you have perhaps the widest range of options for an ideal practice compared to other medical specialties. Your interviewers will want to know your preferred practice location and patient base.

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 for what you want to achieve down the road.

"I grew up in a rural area and I foresee myself practicing after residency in a rural setting. I think it would be great to help an underserved patient population in a rural town that needs a doctor."

"I believe my practice is suburban or rural setting. The general lack of great primary care physicians in these populations can be seen from my own experience of living in these communities. I believe my services to these communities are where I belong."

Are there any procedures you would like to focus on learning during your time as a Family Medicine Resident?

"As of right now, I'm focused on becoming a well-rounded Family Physician, and I'm looking forward to learning a lot of different procedures. I don't foresee myself working with obstetrics down the road, but I look forward to learning and mastering IUD placements, skin biopsies, and exploring colonoscopies/endoscopies during my time in training. I've heard marvelous things about your program concerning these procedures."

You can take your future career as a Family Medicine physician in any direction you'd like. Your interviewers want to know the procedures you want to learn in their program.

Come to your Family Medicine Residency interviewers prepared to describe what your ideal future practice will look like. Be prepared to talk about the procedures you are looking forward to mastering during your Family Medicine Residency training. These procedures can include maternity-related procedures, pregnancy management, endoscopies/colonoscopies, skin biopsies, vasectomies, and suturing.

"Yes, my goal is to come out of residency prepared to work as an attending physician in a primary care setting. I would like to learn how to give immunizations, do basic I&Ds, and gynecologic examinations."

"There are many, but a few that I can think of are starting IVs, arthrocentesis, sutures, central line, intubation, chest tube, lumbar punctures, etc. While it may not be an everyday thing where I may end up, but having the know-how and technical skills is beneficial."

"As a family medicine physician, I would like to be versatile in my procedures. Some that are important to me are delivering babies, pap smears, and other women's health procedures. I would also like to perfect my ability to biopsy suspicious lesions and start the process of early diagnosis."

What made you choose Family Medicine?

"Many specialties deal with just the patient at a moment in time, whereas Family Medicine deals with the entire family's well-being throughout their lives. If one patient falls ill, it affects the entire family. This specialty often allows for the caring of all members within a family. The family is a dynamic thing, and being the 'family doctor' is a privilege most other specialties never enjoy."

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 family practice.

This is a question in which you can shine by espousing the vision of the specialty--the family. Share why forming relationships with individual patients and families is necessary and meaningful to you and what drew you to serving families. Explain that being the primary caregiver for a patient and building long-lasting relationships with them is important to you.

"I see Family Medicine as a calling. It is the only specialty where you can truly take care of patients from "cradle to grave." I am so excited to become a Primary care Physician and to be able to build long lasting relationships with my patients."

"When I was in medical school I liked more than one specialty, and with family medicine, you get to enjoy every specialty. Also, I believe FM is very challenging, working with different age groups and different stages of disease (acute and chronic).Here in the USA, I choose FM because of my work experience in Family medicine and in prevention and education and I like interacting with people and building a strong relationship with them to the point when they feel comfortable talking about everything they are concerned with."

"I have always admired FM doctors because of their ability to manage patients from OB to geriatric patients. In addition to my journey, I believe that patient care at all levels can be better managed when the primary care physician understands the entire patient as a whole. Finally, I enjoyed each core rotation that seemed to point me toward a career in family medicine."

Are you interested in conducting any quality improvement projects during your residency?

"Yes, doing a quality improvement project really interests me. I have thought about doing a quality improvement project to try to increase the number of patients who receive a Flu Shot."

All Family Medicine residencies require residents to conduct some scholarly activity as a graduation requirement. In Family Medicine oftentimes this will take the shape of a quality improvement project. Interviewers want to get a sense that you are interested in not only furthering the field of Family Medicine as a whole but also improving quality within your own residency clinic.

Show that you are interested and willing to do scholarly activities. If you have worked on a quality improvement project before during medical school or have ideas for one that you would like to work on now would be a good opportunity to briefly mention it.

"Yes, I would love to work on a quality improvement project. I am currently on a quality improvement project with a resident that I had rotated with before. The project focuses on the number of women who get their yearly mammogram in the primary care clinic."

"It depends on the projects and hospitals. If there are opportunities, I would love to be able to lead or help promote quality improvement projects."

"Yes, unfortunately, COVID prevented me from taking part in these programs during my medical education, but they are something I feel is necessary to further medicine and to provide healthcare."

As you know Family Medicine is an important specialty treating patients from all walks of life throughout different stages of life. Is there a specific area of Family Medicine that interests you?

"I know that I will likely take on a special interest within Family Medicine. I have an interest in sports medicine and would love to explore potential training further in this area with your faculty."

When the interviewer is asking you this question, they genuinely want to know what interests you within Family Medicine. Family Medicine is a broad specialty and candidates may have interests in various aspects of it. Some people pursue Family Medicine in the hopes of becoming a primary care doctor. Others know that they would eventually like to specialize in something such as Sports Medicine.

Try your best to be genuine in your answer and show your passion about why you are attracted to Family Medicine. This would not be a time to mention interests that are clearly outside of the scope of Family Medicine.

"I am very interested in incorporating Women's Health into my medical practice. I would really like to gain more experience during residency so that I can accomplish this goal."

"No, although I have ideas on which patient population I might excel with, I am open to learning how to treat and manage patients from all walks of life."

"Addiction is something that unfortunately impacts everyone's life and I have found a great interest in it. I find these patients are extremely vulnerable and need someone to listen and help aid them in their journey when many people write them off. As a family medicine practitioner, I intend to treat every patient this way no matter what walk of life they come from."

Physicians are very busy people. Do you feel you can assure your patients you'll always be available to them as a Family Medicine Resident?

"Just living to work is not much of a life. Neither is just working to live because that is living one paycheck at a time, so to speak. My work is a crucial part of my life, among other things like family, recreation, or outside interests. I have to be honest with my patients if I go on a vacation or take time off. In these situations, I will have someone in my place who is just as knowledgeable and dedicated. In modern healthcare, I know that online resources are readily available to patients, and I know your online system is great because I checked it out before interviews. The 'Ask a Nurse' line and messaging through online patient accounts triage patients to the correct person."

In family practice, you get to enjoy the benefits of continuous care of patients and, even as a Family Medicine Resident, you will provide care for common patients for three years. Your interviewers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of this responsibility and that you'll work diligently to be available for your entire patient panel.

You might think that you should tell your interviewers that you'll do everything you can to always be there for your patients, but this is unrealistic. Your interviewers want to know that you can do what's best for both you and your patient. Openly discuss how you will assure patients that you will be there when needed with any questions that they may have, and talk about how you will rely on your nursing team and automation from any online patient care portal as well.

"I can assure my patients that while I am working I will always give them my full effort and attention. When I am not working or on call there will always be another team member available if they should have questions or concerns."

"I will try my best to be there for my patient. In case of my absence for different reasons, I will make sure somebody from the staff will cover my shift and will take care of my patients."

"I will assure the patients that I will always try to be available. If I were not available, my staff members can always take the message for me and I will get back to them as soon as I can."

"Personally, being available all the time is unrealistic; however, I will reassure my patients that if I am not available, a trusted member of the clinic will be available and willing to step in."

In a family practice setting, communication skills are essential. How would you describe your communication skills?

"My communication skills focus on education and compassion. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect, no matter the nature of the communication. As a Family Medicine Resident, I know that my colleagues and patients will expect my communications to be well thought out to give great information and to do so with compassion."

Patient-centered communication is vital for the residents of any Family Medicine training program, 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 important, make sure to explain why solid communication skills are vital for any resident and physician.

"Communication is very important. I have excellent communication skills, and I am able to easily break down complex information into easy to understand words. I would also say that I am an empathetic listener."

"My communication skills are decent, but I believe I can always work on it during the residency because of all the different situations that can present."

"I have been told by my attendings in the past that my communication skills are excellent. I pride myself on the ability to connect with patients, listen to what they are saying, and then turn that into information that can be disseminated to other physicians."

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

"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 to blossoming Family Medicine Residents"

Your venture into Family Medicine Residency will likely 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.

Prove your ability to work confidently with little supervision while not being overconfident. As a Family 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 have prepared for residency by completing multiple rotations in this specialty and I am ready to start residency. If I encountered situations where I felt I needed help I would discuss this with my senior resident."

"Yes and no, I don't believe I have the medical know-how or the confidence to handle my own patients as a PGY-1. However, I am eager to learn and take on more responsibility as long as I can handle the responsibilities."

"I am confident in my ability to handle direct patient care as a new resident, but I am also aware there is a lot for me to learn. In situations I am not confident, I would discuss it with my senior resident before proceeding."

Family Medicine is considered a primary care specialty. How would you decide when to handle a case yourself and when to refer a case to another"”possibly more qualified"”physician?

"If I feel someone can do something better, I have the responsibility to my patient to step aside. I know I have to learn by doing, but I can still invite myself into the evaluation, test, or procedure to avoid losing a learning opportunity. If I do this enough, I may be the best person to act for my patient in the next instance and not have to step aside. As a new Family Medicine Resident, I fully understand my scope of practice and would never do anything that fell outside of that."

Primary care is a balancing act. It is up to the individual provider to do what he or she is capable of doing and refer another physician when necessary. This question aims to find out if you let your pride come before your patients.

Explain to your interviewers that the patient comes first, not your bragging rights. Be sure that you know the program and institution you are interviewing with and what their model of care looks like. If you are interviewing to be a Family Medicine Resident with a large, multi-specialty institution, referring patients happens easily. If you are interviewing with a smaller and more independent program, patient referrals are a more difficult process. However, this process is often necessary for the care of the patient.

"Knowing your limitations is essential to being an excellent physician. If a patient came to me with a question that I did not know or that felt outside of my comfort level I would consider referring them to a specialist so that they receive the best care possible."

"This stems, for me, from my web of knowledge. If I understand the use of certain medications or the management of certain conditions like seizures, I will more likely manage it on my own compared to a topic that I do not understand, then I will refer them to a specialist."

"Simple. What is best for the patient? If there is a patient who would benefit from being seen by a specialist, then I believe they should be referred with the understanding that I am still here and following the plan of care. If a patient's condition is something I am qualified to treat and I have no reservations about it, I would present the two options of staying with me or seeking a specialist appointment."

What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to this Family Practice?

"I was honestly attracted to a future in family medicine because of my trusting and respectful personality. I love forming long-term relationships with patients and look forward to building them throughout my time as a resident with your program and throughout my career in practice. I build trust with my patients through a friendly and knowledgeable approach. I take the time to get to know the little things about my patients and, in turn, they trust me to help them in their journey towards better health."

Practicing family medicine requires interpersonal soft skills that many other specialties don't necessarily require. In asking this question, your interviewers want to know that you have those soft skills to be a competent physician.

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 your life's vocation. Be sure that your answer is well thought out and speak with a passion to impress your team of interviewers.

"My greatest non-medical strength is being a great colleague. I think having positive relationships with your colleagues leads to overall team success."

"My greatest non-medical strength is my exposure to various cultures and backgrounds. Growing up in India, attending medical school in the Caribbean, and having lived in the USA have exposed me to people with various cultures. I can better understand people's perspectives and values. This enables me to better communicate with my patients."

"Adaptability. I can get along with almost anyone and I am comfortable molding as needed depending on the situation."

You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?

"I would record the patient's name, the nurse's name, and the time of the incident. Then, I would look on the patient's chart to see who ordered the medication if I hadn't. Since it is a nurse and not officially a resident in my program, I would report the incident to the nurse's immediate supervisor. However, my responsibility doesn't end there, because I have to act as my patient's advocate and make sure the supervisor followed her own service's and the hospital's protocol for this type of infraction. Just because it's not another resident does not excuse me from following up on this--for that nurse's sake (who has a problem), her nursing service's sake, and--especially--the patient's sake."

Substance abuse among healthcare providers and staff is becoming more prevalent. Your interviewers want to know that you are aware of this fact and that you are willing and ready to step in when you witness it. Not doing so can put the patient, the staff, and the institution at major risk.

This question is a little tricky because it involves a person who is not part of your training program. However, if it involves both a patient and the program that you represent, it is your business. Assure your team of interviewers that you would immediately address the situation with the nurse and take the issue up the chain of command immediately.

"I would immediately notify my attending physician as this is a serious safety concern for both the patient and the nurse. I would do so discreetly and in a respectful manner."

"I will double-check his or her order in the chart first then I will talk to the nurse about the situation. I will listen to her and I will report the incident to the nurse's supervisor. The patient comes first."

"I would escalate this to my immediate superior as well as address the situation, away from the patient's earshot."

What has been your biggest ethical challenge thus far in medicine?

"Having been born and raised in India, I realize that I have many cultural beliefs that are different from your patient base here. I want you to be confident that I would never allow cultural differences to hinder my ability to do what is best for every patient. I'm confident that my cultural differences can make a positive impact on my patients."

In a family practice setting, working closely with patients for many years can pose ethical challenges for physicians. Your interviewers want to know how you solved your biggest ethical problem in medicine to get a sense of how you will behave ethically in their residency program.

This is not a trick question. Your answer should demonstrate that you know what is ethical and non-ethical and where you need to intervene and how. The patient-physician relationship puts the patient first, but not at the expense of the physician's ethics. Explain that you will be an ethical and competent Family Medicine Resident.

"One ethical dilemma I had was when a patient confided in me that they were having suicidal thoughts. This patient asked me to not tell anyone. This was difficult, however, I knew the right thing to do for their safety was to tell my attending physician. This decision ultimately helped this patient get the help they needed."

"My ethical dilemma came during my pediatric rotation. I saw a patient whose mother brought her in with an indication that she wants her daughter to obtain a breast implant before she turns 18. Her reason was that because she has not reached full secondary sexual maturity, she wants what's best for the daughter."

Medicine is changing more quickly than ever. Internet collaboration and telemedicine are now the new normal. Where do you see medicine going in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a Family Medicine Physician in the future?

"I plan to stay within the state-of-the-art parameters and the standard of care, no matter where the future of medicine takes me. That means keeping up with the literature. Whether I'll be a follower or a leader in the future of medicine doesn't matter, as long as I am practicing the current standard of care, which I know will change all the time. I also know there will be times my patient will not fit comfortably in the center of the bell curve. There will be outliers, and that's when I'll lead for the sake of my patient. I can do this by exploring unusual options. As long as I do no harm, I can be creative in offering more than just book knowledge to my patient. Anytime I must deal with the inexactness of the science for the sake of my patient, I feel I'll be leading. I realize that the art of medicine means tangential thinking."

This question is meant to explore your vision for medicine in the future because your interviewers want residents who will grow to be impactful physicians in their careers. Medical advancements happen all the time, and physicians need to be ready to adapt to new technology and procedures.

Before your family medicine residency interviews, make sure you know how telemedicine is impacting family practices around the world. You can find a lot of great reading materials on the subject before the start of your interviewers. Identify and explain whether you'll be a follower or a leader in this realm as a resident and as a physician in the future.

"Yes, over the past few years it has become clear that telemedicine is the new normal. I hope to be a part of providing excellent medicine whether in person or through telehealth. I think it is important to adapt and provide the best patient care possible."

"It doesn't matter if I will be a follower or a leader as soon as I am helping patients to feel comfortable and better. Certainly, telemedicine is easy for some people to compare to the in-office patients ( especially for those who are using public transport), they need help too. This is a little challenging for physicians because we don't do a physical exam but we will learn how to deal with these patients."

"Since the hot topic right now is AI utilization in all career fields, I believe there are modalities of modern medical practices that can be relegated to the usage of AI. For example, teaching AI what normal is, so that AI algorithms can catch abnormals and can aid primary care physicians to either further escalate management or treatment compared to a routine visit."

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

"Access is such a huge issue to primary care providers throughout the country, and there are many great technological and administrative advancements starting and on the horizon that will have a major impact on bettering the lives of the general population. I think the biggest and most exciting innovations will come in the form of at-home monitoring for things like sleep studies and patients' vital signs. AI and monitoring patients through belts, rings, and even pillows will allow physicians to diagnose and treat patients well before they had been in the past, and I look forward to seeing these advancements come to fruition during my career as a physician."

Your interviewers want to understand where you feel healthcare could evolve for the better in the primary care setting. Demonstrating a forward-thinking and innovative vision in your interview will set you apart from the other candidates.

Be prepared to talk in an educated manner about how you feel the delivery of healthcare could improve over time. Perhaps you feel that healthcare can evolve through more patient-centric attitudes. Maybe you think that care coordination and synergy within the administration is the fastest way to improve healthcare. Maintain a positive attitude and describe how you feel healthcare is currently evolving.

"I foresee increased emphasis on preventative care within family medicine. In addition, I think there will be an increase in value based care."

"I am a strong believer in preventative medicine. Although it is harder to get ahead of disease states, I believe that more focus should be aimed at primary care practice so that there will be fewer medical interventions further downstream. The focus should be more on primary prevention methods."

"I think the biggest hurdle in primary care is continuation of care. During my rotations, I saw firsthand the lack of communication between primary care and specialists which led to medication changes that had drastic consequences. I hope that someday healthcare will be streamlined so nothing slips through the cracks."

What do you think is the biggest difference between the U.S healthcare system and that of another developed country?

"I often compare the U.S healthcare system to the system in Canada, where I grew up. I know both systems very well, and they each have pros and cons. For instance, in Canada, healthcare is mostly free, but the wait times are significantly longer than in the U.S. For that reason, many Canadian citizens travel to the U.S for surgeries, MRIs, and more. They would rather pay the cost than wait six months for an appointment and pay the price with their health. Although there are significant differences, I believe that it is often a case of 'the grass is greener.'"

Perhaps you are well-traveled or have researched the differences in health care in other countries. This question allows the interviewers to see your personal opinion, critical thinking skills, and ability to be diplomatic as they consider you for their Family Medicine Residency program.

While there is no right or wrong answer to a question like this, it's a good idea to talk from personal experience if you can. If you can't, research this topic before your interview so you can speak knowledgeably on the subject with your team of interviewers.

"A major difference between the U.S. healthcare system and other developed countries is access to care. In the United States while we have many excellent treatments compared to other countries, often there are many patients who are unable to access this care."

"The U.S. healthcare system is driven by reactionary compared to proactive prevention. I have witnessed in many countries while I traveled that a lot of focus of daily primary care is geared at maintaining an active lifestyle with dietary-focused lifestyle management. Whereas the U.S. treats diseases caused by downstream effects of said sedentary lifestyle, other countries spend more money on maintaining a more well-balanced diet and active lifestyle."

What do you believe is the greatest challenge Family Medicine physicians will face in the coming years?

"There are numerous challenges I believe family physicians will face in the coming years. Cost management and reimbursement will continue to be a struggle, and primary care providers must manage their practices to meet needs and provide access. This will create a struggle to focus on the needs of the patient. I will never let myself lose sight of what is best for each patient under my care."

Your interviewers want to know that you have done your homework on this field and have the wherewithal to forecast the challenges the field is facing. They also want to see that you understand that being a Physician will come with great challenges, both now and in the future.

Before your Family Medicine Residency interview, study and read as much as possible about the challenges your field will face. Discuss the challenges you foresee and speak about how you plan to succeed despite these challenges.

"One challenge in Family Medicine will be trying to regain patient confidence and trust about the importance of vaccines and immunizations."

"I believe that the greatest challenge family medicine will face is resistance toward doctor's knowledge. In previous decades, trust in our medical system has been at a steady pace, however, since the increased access to the internet and the pandemic, patients have been doubting and have an increased level of suspicion about what their doctors are telling them."

Why do you feel we should choose you instead of someone whose scores are better?

"I know that you could find another person with better scores or more experience or another candidate with more awards and recognition, but I know I can give as much as I get. I want to continue in the spirit of research and teaching that primary care involves, giving my all for the program. If I do that, it will make this program the best one for me in the end. It's a joint venture, and if I join this program, I believe it would benefit us both."

This is one of those questions that ask you to explain a weakness or identifying areas for growth. The interviewer wants insight into why you would be better than someone else for the program. They want to hear that you'll be as good for the program as the program will be for you.

Before your interviews, put some thought into what sets you apart from other graduating medical students. You may win over your interviewers by focusing your answer on what makes you the best choice for the program you are interviewing with. Research the mission and values of the program you are interviewing with before your interview.

"While test scores are important, excellent communication skills are an even more important skill for a doctor to have. I have practiced and have excelled at communicating which makes me stand out from other candidates."

"While scores are important, however, it speaks only to one aspect of medicine that is devoid of patient and colleague interactions. Being a great doctor is the melding of both knowledge as well as ability to educate the general patient population on why it is important to take certain medications or undergo certain procedures."

"Test scores do not make a good physician. A good physician/resident is someone who can interact with patients and adapt to the needs of the patient. I have experience as a nursing assistant that has taught me how to interact with patients and work in a team without a hitch."

What do you feel is your greatest weakness, and how would you correct it during your time with us?

"I feel that my greatest weakness can 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. While I know this is a positive trait when building rapport with my patients, I will strive to never cross any boundaries with my patients."

As your interviewers connect with and consider many great candidates for their Family Medicine Residency program, they know that every candidate has flaws. Your interviewers want to hear that you are cognizant of any shortcomings you have 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 of my greatest weaknesses is overanalyzing situations. I have had to learn that while analysis is important, overanalysis 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."

"Sometimes it is hard to say No, for example, if a college is asking me to cover for him I will not say No but I will mess up my schedule instead (outside of the hospital plan, with my family)Also, I want to be polite and let the patient talk but this might be time-consuming. So I try to overcome this by focusing on the main reason why the patient came and do direct questions related to the reason for the visit.Typing is another weakness that I have. I found a website on the internet and I am practice to type faster."

"I believe my greatest weakness that I have come to reflect on, during my time in medical school, is overthinking. It can lead to inaction or the wrong action. Throughout my time in your residency program, I hope that as I build on both medical knowledge as well as numerous patient interactions, I will be more confident in my own process."

Anyone that matches into our Family Medicine Residency must pass a criminal record check and education verification. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?

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

In any healthcare-related setting, successfully passing a criminal background check is a necessity. 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."

"Nope, I am open to any background checks or education verification."

"I completely understand that you have to do your due diligence to ensure your staff and patients are safe. I have no objections to any criminal record check as I have a clean record."

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

"Yes, I am willing to relocate anywhere around the country for a program that is the right fit for me. I researched this city and region, and I can see myself thriving here. I can easily pick up and go where I am needed because my family is fully supportive of my decision to pursue a great Family Medicine training program, and from what I've learned today, I'm confident that I found that here."

To better the odds of matching with a great program, most medical students will apply to residency programs all over the country. As they consider your application, your interviewers want to know that you are serious when it comes to your willingness to relocate and put your full focus on training in their Family Medicine Residency 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 wouldn't have any issues relocating. I am looking forward to moving to this city and I could envision myself living here for many years."

"No, a big part of applying to your program is the geographical preference I have indicated on my ERAS application. I have no problem relocating."

"Absolutely not. I have chosen your program specifically because it is located where I would like to live permanently after residency. After living for two years in Miami, I would love to go back to the area that raised me and help give back to that community,"

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

"I do not regret the direction I have taken my career, and I'm looking forward to my Family Medicine residency training. If I were forced to start over in a new direction, I would likely pursue a career in education. I have a passion for teaching and look forward to this aspect during my career, shaping the futures of medical students and residents. I could see myself teaching the arts or sciences at the middle school level, where teenagers can feel the influences of these subjects on their future."

Your interviewers want to get to know each candidate a bit better during the 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 Family Medicine Residency interviews. As you answer, 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 a physician was not an option I think I would have been a social worker. It is my personal mission to help others. Social workers greatly help patients which would have been another good career path."

"I believe I would have chosen to be an archeologist. I have a curiosity and love for our history as a human race."

"Before I attended medical school, I achieved my MS in forensic biology. If I were to change careers, I would utilize that and become a forensic investigator."

Who in your life has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you?

"I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. The person who has most greatly inspired me is my grandmother. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked, and she loved everyone. She was well respected and always gave more than she received. As I pursue Family Medicine Residency training with your esteemed program, I will always try to treat my patients with the same sense of respect and care as her as much as I can."

Your interviewers want to gain some insight into the personalities and personal motivations of each candidate they talk to. This question allows your interviewers to see what influenced you to become a life-changing physician.

Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, or a celebrity. Talk to the interviewers about who has inspired you and why. If possible, explain how this mentor or influence has inspired your choice to pursue a career as a physician.

"My family physician that I went to for my whole life inspired me to go into medicine and has acted as a mentor in helping guide me towards a career in medicine from the time I was in high school. She not only helped make me better when I was sick, but she always encouraged me to push myself to do things I thought were impossible."

"As corny as this sounds, it has to be my wife. While my father showed me a compassionate doctor, my wife showed me the courage necessary to wake up every day and put your best foot forward even when everything seems to be at its worst."

"From the time I was little, I looked up to my grandmother. She was the CEO of a large furniture company by night and mother, grandmother, wife, and friend by day. She taught me that I can do anything as long as I am honest and true to my person, but most importantly respect others. These lessons have got me to where I am today and I intend to use them to make me the best family physician resident."

Are you considering any other Family Medicine Residency programs?

"I am keeping an eye out and applying to several reputable family practice 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 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 Family 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 Family Medicine physician.

"Yes, I am interviewing with other 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."

"Yes I am, I want to make sure the programs that I am applying to will be the best fit for both parties. Your program's mission statement and the quality of the residents that I have met intrigued me."

"Yes, I am interviewing at other programs however, your program interested me specifically because of its continuity clinic as well as world-renowned research."

We would like to know you on a more personal level. Outside of medicine, what are your interests?

"I am an athletic nut who stays busy playing multiple sports, working out, and training for half marathons. I also love to bake, and this passion was instilled in me by my grandmother."

Having hobbies and interests outside of work or school 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. As you answer, talk about how these activities will be important in your life as a resident in their program to help keep you happy, healthy, and refreshed during your training.

"Some things that I really enjoy are baking and painting. Also, I like going for long walks with my dog Max, a golden retriever."

"I have a love for music, outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, sports, working out, reading, and all manners of exhilarating sports such as skydiving. I like to also work with my hands, be in mechanical fixing, DYI jobs, building furniture, and handiwork."

"When I am not engrossed in medicine my hobbies include hiking and walking my golden retriever, reading psychological thrillers, cooking, and spending time with my nephew and husband."

How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as a resident?

"I follow a few resources online for up-to-date information on the medical industry. My favorites right now are the medical blog, 'Uncommon Student MD,' a blog created by student doctors in medical school and residency. The other resource I read regularly is 'Health Data Management' online. I've already joined the AAFP and plan to attend the national conference during my residency training. I've also spent a lot of time reading the North American Primary Care Research Group studies recently."

Your interviewers want to know that you will fully immerse yourself in the field of family practice. 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 your favorite 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 Family Medicine groups, journals, and publications so you can speak knowledgeably about them during your interview.

"I plan on staying up to date to be the best physician I can be. I plan on attending yearly conferences and reading multiple medical journals to stay up to date."

"I have a high curiosity. I believe that the best way to keep up with recent trends and changes is to attend CMEs as well as reading journal articles to relevant materials to keep up to date on current medical advancements and possibly new ways of management for my patients."

"Journals and up-to-date are both a great source to stay current with the top trends in medicine. As a resident, presenting and demonstrating these changes to my colleagues and receiving their feedback is the best way for me to keep up."

How would you invest in your personal development as a resident with our program?

"It is important to invest in myself, especially with a high-stress, high-pressure job as a physician. For the last three years, I have invested in a personal coach who helps me uncover my desires and assists me in making a plan to achieve those goals. Also, I am adamant about my fitness and health. I take good care of my body because it's the only one I have. I know that I need to be a strong example to my patients as a resident as well."

As a Family Medicine Resident and future physician, it is important to avoid professional burnout. That means you should be aware of your personal needs and do what is necessary for your personal growth and development. Your interviewers pose this question to understand how you plan to focus on your development during your time as a resident with their program.

Personal development is a valuable habit and can include things like exercise, meditating, taking personal development courses/workshops, reading, mentoring others, being creative through art, or spending time traveling and exploring. Show the interviewers that you understand the importance of investing in yourself.

"I would try to invest in my personal development by continuing to learn throughout residency. I would also try to attend conferences to network with other doctors."

"It is important to invest in myself, especially with a highly stressful and high-pressure job as a physician. I will try to attend more workshops in order to improve my professional skills and to make relationships with more doctors of the same specialty and share experiences. I will try to continue my daily routine taking care of my physical and mental health through exercise and good dietary habits."

"I will invest in my personal development through a variety of ways. I would continue to work with my coach to further my mental and physical development as well as attend scientific conferences and seminars to further my education outside of the hospital walls."

Have you completed all ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) requirements to start a 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. Would you like to take a copy?"

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

"At this time, I have completed everything except the graduation certificate that I will be receiving in January 2024."

Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to while attending medical school.

"The most intriguing case I was exposed to during medical school was the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder in an elderly victim of a brutal crime following the loss of her spouse. Over time, the patient was moved to an assisted living facility and continued to develop severe psychotic symptoms and paranoia. The patient suffered from hallucinations and was moved to a psychiatric unit for further observation. A neuroleptic drug was finally prescribed and began to improve the patient's mental well-being. I find mental health to be an overlooked part of family practice, and family practitioners are often the first advocate for the mental health of their patients."

Your interviewers will be looking for candidates who have a passion for practicing family medicine. The interviewers ask this conversational-based question to determine the types of cases that you find most interesting.

Before your interview, think of what you consider the most intriguing and thought-provoking case you worked on in medical school. The cases that are most interesting to you should pertain to the specialty you want to pursue. Set the stage for the case, name a couple of points that intrigued you, and explain why. If you know the outcome of the case, discuss that briefly as well.

"I had an interesting case taking care of a patient with multiple sclerosis. She really was so grateful to her primary care doctor who diagnosed the condition after she was having many peculiar symptoms."

"During my pediatric gastroenterology rotation, I saw something very rare, biliary atresia. The mother had a normal delivery and the baby had a normal hospital stay, but when she was brought to the hospital at 2 months old, she was severely jaundiced. After I obtained the history of different color bowel movements and off-red urination I immediately knew what it was. My attending confirmed my differential diagnosis and we started the appropriate care plan."

How will you manage the high amounts of day to day stress that are a part of being a Family 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 I will be facing the most grueling three years of my life as a Family Medicine Resident. 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 playing golf, hiking with my dog, and reading."

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 time with them during your Family 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 residency training. 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.

"Exercise is one healthy coping skill I use to deal with stress. I hope to continue doing this throughout residency to help prevent burnout."

"I will manage the high amount of stress by time management and being organized. Writing a list on a daily basis of the work that needs to be done and keeping in mind time to rest and time to spend with my family will help me to overcome the stress."

"Self-care is something that is very important to me. From day to day, I make sure I get some exercise, whether that be a walk at lunch or get to the gym and take at least 10 minutes to read and enjoy myself. These two habits were the rock of my success in medical school, and I plan on continuing them."

How will you work effectively and collaboratively as part of a larger care team as a Family Medicine Resident with our program?

"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 Family Medicine Residency program. I maintain open lines of communication with my colleagues and support staff. In a busy clinic 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 come to your program and 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."

Coming out of medical school and into Family Medicine Residency training, you need to be prepared to step in and be the ultimate team player with faculty, fellow residents, and all members of the larger care team. The interviewers want assurance that you would join their program as a team player, regardless of personality or work style differences. They'll also want to hear that you will be a natural leader.

The goal of your response is to describe your approach to collaborating with others while highlighting how your collaboration style will be a good match for the residency program you are interviewing with. 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.

"I am excited for the chance to be a part of your residency program! I have experience in working well within a team setting. I can use these skills to effectively work with others to provide excellent patient care."

"Teamwork is the only way to provide good healthcare. As a resident, I will keep an open line of communication with both my chief resident and my colleagues. I have led multiple groups in the past and I am sure you will find my leadership as one of my strongest assets."

Family Medicine Residency Interview Questions

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1. You and a peer are waiting on a patient's blood work. You tell the peer one of you should contact the lab and not wait. The results could make a difference overnight. It is the end of the shift; your partner says it can wait and leaves. What do you do?
2. Tell me about a time during medical school where you had a setback or failure? How did you respond to that setback?
3. You are being interviewed by a prospective patient couple who want to know your views on pregnancy termination before agreeing to come to you. How would you respond?
4. What would you do about a patient who was rude to your receptionist?
5. First impressions are important. What would you do about a scheduler who you discovered was being rude to a patient?
6. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you would like to pursue during your Family Medicine Residency training?
7. What do you wish to gain through training in our Family Medicine Residency program?
8. Do you have any desire to engage in research as a Family Medicine Resident? How about as you get into practice post-residency training?
9. Following Family Medicine Residency training, do you foresee yourself practicing in an urban or rural setting?
10. Are there any procedures you would like to focus on learning during your time as a Family Medicine Resident?
11. What made you choose Family Medicine?
12. Are you interested in conducting any quality improvement projects during your residency?
13. As you know Family Medicine is an important specialty treating patients from all walks of life throughout different stages of life. Is there a specific area of Family Medicine that interests you?
14. Physicians are very busy people. Do you feel you can assure your patients you'll always be available to them as a Family Medicine Resident?
15. In a family practice setting, communication skills are essential. How would you describe your communication skills?
16. As a new Family Medicine Resident, would you be able to handle direct patient care with little supervision?
17. Family Medicine is considered a primary care specialty. How would you decide when to handle a case yourself and when to refer a case to another"”possibly more qualified"”physician?
18. What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to this Family Practice?
19. You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?
20. What has been your biggest ethical challenge thus far in medicine?
21. Medicine is changing more quickly than ever. Internet collaboration and telemedicine are now the new normal. Where do you see medicine going in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a Family Medicine Physician in the future?
22. How would you like to see the delivery of healthcare evolve in the family practice setting?
23. What do you think is the biggest difference between the U.S healthcare system and that of another developed country?
24. What do you believe is the greatest challenge Family Medicine physicians will face in the coming years?
25. Why do you feel we should choose you instead of someone whose scores are better?
26. What do you feel is your greatest weakness, and how would you correct it during your time with us?
27. Anyone that matches into our Family Medicine Residency must pass a criminal record check and education verification. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?
28. Would you have any issues relocating to join our Family Medicine Residency program?
29. If being a Family Medicine Physician was not an option, what career path would you have chosen outside of medicine?
30. Who in your life has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you?
31. Are you considering any other Family Medicine Residency programs?
32. We would like to know you on a more personal level. Outside of medicine, what are your interests?
33. How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as a resident?
34. How would you invest in your personal development as a resident with our program?
35. Have you completed all ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) requirements to start a residency?
36. Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to while attending medical school.
37. How will you manage the high amounts of day to day stress that are a part of being a Family Medicine Resident?
38. How will you work effectively and collaboratively as part of a larger care team as a Family Medicine Resident with our program?

Family Medicine Residency Interview Questions

1. You and a peer are waiting on a patient's blood work. You tell the peer one of you should contact the lab and not wait. The results could make a difference overnight. It is the end of the shift; your partner says it can wait and leaves. What do you do?

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

3. You are being interviewed by a prospective patient couple who want to know your views on pregnancy termination before agreeing to come to you. How would you respond?

4. What would you do about a patient who was rude to your receptionist?

5. First impressions are important. What would you do about a scheduler who you discovered was being rude to a patient?

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

7. What do you wish to gain through training in our Family Medicine Residency program?

8. Do you have any desire to engage in research as a Family Medicine Resident? How about as you get into practice post-residency training?

9. Following Family Medicine Residency training, do you foresee yourself practicing in an urban or rural setting?

10. Are there any procedures you would like to focus on learning during your time as a Family Medicine Resident?

11. What made you choose Family Medicine?

12. Are you interested in conducting any quality improvement projects during your residency?

13. As you know Family Medicine is an important specialty treating patients from all walks of life throughout different stages of life. Is there a specific area of Family Medicine that interests you?

14. Physicians are very busy people. Do you feel you can assure your patients you'll always be available to them as a Family Medicine Resident?

15. In a family practice setting, communication skills are essential. How would you describe your communication skills?

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

17. Family Medicine is considered a primary care specialty. How would you decide when to handle a case yourself and when to refer a case to another"”possibly more qualified"”physician?

18. What do you feel is your greatest non-medical strength you can bring to this Family Practice?

19. You see a nurse 'pretend' to give a narcotic to your patient who is writhing in pain while her back is turned to you. Then you see the medication in her pocket. What do you do?

20. What has been your biggest ethical challenge thus far in medicine?

21. Medicine is changing more quickly than ever. Internet collaboration and telemedicine are now the new normal. Where do you see medicine going in the next five years, and what part do you intend to play as a Family Medicine Physician in the future?

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

23. What do you think is the biggest difference between the U.S healthcare system and that of another developed country?

24. What do you believe is the greatest challenge Family Medicine physicians will face in the coming years?

25. Why do you feel we should choose you instead of someone whose scores are better?

26. What do you feel is your greatest weakness, and how would you correct it during your time with us?

27. Anyone that matches into our Family Medicine Residency must pass a criminal record check and education verification. Is there any reason you would not be comfortable with this?

28. Would you have any issues relocating to join our Family Medicine Residency program?

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

30. Who in your life has been the biggest mentor or inspiration to you?

31. Are you considering any other Family Medicine Residency programs?

32. We would like to know you on a more personal level. Outside of medicine, what are your interests?

33. How would you stay on top of trends and changes in the medical industry as a resident?

34. How would you invest in your personal development as a resident with our program?

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

36. Tell us about the most interesting case you were exposed to while attending medical school.

37. How will you manage the high amounts of day to day stress that are a part of being a Family Medicine Resident?

38. How will you work effectively and collaboratively as part of a larger care team as a Family Medicine Resident with our program?