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Fellowship Mock Interview

Question 3 of 40 for our Fellowship Mock Interview

Fellowship was updated by on March 30th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 3 of 40

Tell us about a time you wish you had handled a situation differently during your time as a resident.

"During my first year of residency training, I had an angry patient who threw me off guard during a simple in-patient visit for a routine exam. I defended myself and called the patient rude for their harsh words. Knowing that what I said was inexcusable, I immediately apologized to the patient. She reluctantly accepted and apologized as well for being out of line with me. After reflecting on this with my attending physician and chief resident, I learned that having thick skin and not taking things personally was vital for successful interactions with patients. This is a mindset that I still carry with me to this day."

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How to Answer: Tell us about a time you wish you had handled a situation differently during your time as a resident.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Fellowship job interview.

  • 3. Tell us about a time you wish you had handled a situation differently during your time as a resident.

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      You will be consistently learning, growing, and adapting throughout your career in medicine. From time to time, small mistakes will happen, and your interviewers need to know that you are willing and ready to learn and grow from your mistakes.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on March 30th, 2022

      How to Answer

      Most people cannot handle every difficult situation with the utmost grace at all times. There is undoubtedly a situation you handled during residency training that makes you cringe a bit when you look back. Answer this question by giving a story-based example of a time you reacted to a scenario in a way that you typically try to avoid. Outline the situation and explain why you reacted the way you did. Focus on the actions you took to repair the situation. Include details about the lesson you learned.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on March 30th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "During my first year of residency training, I had an angry patient who threw me off guard during a simple in-patient visit for a routine exam. I defended myself and called the patient rude for their harsh words. Knowing that what I said was inexcusable, I immediately apologized to the patient. She reluctantly accepted and apologized as well for being out of line with me. After reflecting on this with my attending physician and chief resident, I learned that having thick skin and not taking things personally was vital for successful interactions with patients. This is a mindset that I still carry with me to this day."

      Written by Ryan Brunner on March 30th, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "During my first pancreaticoduodenectomy as fist operator the softest pancreas of my life. My senior surgeon decided to perform the pancreatic anastomosis due to the difficulty and I thought that one idea could have been to perform a total pancreatectomy cause the risk of fistula. I didn't speak up and post-operative complications were very difficult to handle. I learned from that that it's always good to say what you think, even if it is just a suggestion."

      Jaymie's Feedback

      This is a good example to use where the mistake wasn't necessarily your fault, but your input could have potentially changed the outcome. The interviewer will appreciate your reflection on this situation.
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