Tell us about a difficult patient experience you had during your residency training. How did you handle the situation in a professional and respectful manner?
Coming out of your Internal Medicine Residency training, you have had the opportunity to work with patients in a wide variety of settings. This likely has included handling very difficult patients. This question allows your interviewers to assess the patience, communication, conflict resolution, and stress management skills that you would bring to their Gastroenterology Fellowship program as a new fellow.
"During my rotation in the outpatient clinic setting my second year, I had a new consult with a patient that became very rude and belligerent when I started discussing his obesity and ways to help him lose weight. I immediately apologized to him and let him know that I had his best interest in mind. Following the appointment, I got some great advice from my attending physician that I could have provided more education to him in the moment. During his next follow-up appointment, I continued to provide education to the patient and recommended a consultation with a dietician. He agreed to see them the following week."
Talk about a simple scenario you experienced during your residency training so you don't spend too much time describing details of the patient's story. Instead, spend your time describing your thoughts and actions. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to remain calm, patient, empathetic, and logical while still helping the patient to the best of your abilities.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I had a new consult with a patient that became very rude when I started discussing his obesity, smoking, and alcohol cessation and ways to help him. I immediately apologized to him and let him know that I had his best interest in mind. Following the appointment, I got some great advice from my attending physician that I could have provided more education to him at the moment. During his next follow-up appointment, I continued to provide education to the patient and recommended a consultation with a dietician, SW. He agreed to see them the following week.
Marcie's Feedback
You've done a great job here using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to outline exactly what happened and how you handled it. Your response also shows that you implemented the feedback you received, which the interviewer will appreciate. Consider adding in some more details about the additional education you gave the patient. Excellent response!
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