As a physician, you will often have to deliver discouraging news to patients and their families. How do you handle such hard situations?

"There is always that one case that seems to be more difficult than others. If I have to deliver bad news, I always make sure that I have all of the facts of the case and prepare myself to answer any questions the patient or family may have. Being sure of what I have to say and being professional, while compassionate, is helpful to both the patient, family, and to me."

Delivering discouraging news can be difficult for any healthcare provider. The interviewer is not expecting you to react as though you are resilient to all difficult situations. Rather, he wants to know that you can get the job done while being compassionate.

"Delivering bad news is hard. I always try to be soft-spoken and give the patient and their families time to ask questions. It's important to me to always try to remember that one day I may be the one receiving bad news and to treat those, that I am caring for, the way I would like to be treated."