Tell us about a time you had to work with new technology during medical school or residency training. What did you do to ensure proficiency as quickly as possible?
Technology in the medical field has been evolving and will continue to evolve year after year. While you may be academically gifted, your interviewers need to know that you can pick up and master any new technologies in GI and hepatology care during your time with them. During your Gastroenterology Fellowship training, you will likely work with many pieces of equipment you haven't had the opportunity to in the past.
Think of a time you had to learn new technology and choose an example that proves your ability to study, learn, and master its use in short order. If possible, try to think of a piece of equipment you had to learn during your time in residency training. Then, discuss with your interviewing team the fact that you know you will be learning a new EMR and other medical equipment during your Gastroenterology Fellowship training and are willing and ready to be a great learner of any new technologies thrown your way during your time with them.
"First and foremost, I want you to know that I understand that today's Gastroenterologists need to embrace technology to provide the best patient care possible. I've always been enamored by great technological advancements in healthcare. More recently during the pandemic, one area that physicians need to embrace is telehealth, and I was fortunate to be exposed to this during my clinical rotations. Learning technologies like Zoom and other video conferencing apps was a new concept to me. Before beginning their use, I watched training videos and practiced having virtual consults with my classmates to ensure that there wouldn't be any technical glitches when I worked with patients. I am fully confident in my ability to use video for telehealth consults with patients in your GI clinical setting. Are you able to elaborate more on the telehealth services you are currently providing for patients?"
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
More recently during the pandemic, one area that physicians need to embrace is telehealth, and I was fortunate to be exposed to this during my clinical rotations. Learning technologies like video conferencing apps was a new concept to me. Before beginning their use, I watched training videos and practiced having virtual consults with my classmates to ensure that there wouldn't be any technical glitches when I worked with patients. I am fully confident in my ability to use video for telehealth consults with patients in your GI clinical setting.
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent! This is a great example to cite in response to this question. Can you discuss in more depth how the training you received helped when you used the telehealth technology during patient interactions? Did the training videos and virtual consult practices properly prepare you? Can you also talk more about how quickly the training got you ready? Did you go above and beyond in any way to ensure that you learned the new material quickly?
Anonymous Answer
Before joining residency, I had done observerships and externships in the USA to familiarize myself with the Healthcare system here but EMR was still a fairly new concept. It was certainly challenging to learn EMR but continued practice, completing practice modules, and continued heko from seniors allowed me to be proficient in it in no time.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is a good example to share! It sounds like you face challenges head-on and do what it takes to learn from available resources to acquire the necessary skills.
Anonymous Answer
This happened at the beginning of this year, on the first day of work. I was supposed to attend the endoscopy list and I was told that I must do the report and manage the documentation. I asked about the software we were using and then searched on how to learn to do it. I watched a full YouTube series on how to navigate through the software and I also searched the details and terminology of documentation. The endoscopist on that day was ready to teach me how to do it, he was surprised and impressed that I already knew how to do it. He supervised the process for the first few times to make sure there would not be any mistakes, Now, he fully trusts me and is happy for me to do the documentation from A to Z. I always make sure to re-check certain details with him as I believe this is part of my learning.
Jaymie's Feedback
Excellent! You tackled the challenge head-on by taking the initiative to use available resources to self-help. I'm sure that preparation impressed the endoscopist! This was a great example to use.
Anonymous Answer
The EMR I used in my away elective during residency was new and I had to learn it within 2 days. Luckily EPIC has a playground option & I quickly worked on it. As it was not linked with patient care, it was safe to click as much as possible.
I arrived early to work and observed colleagues while they were working. I made a note of their workflow and was also fortunate to have colleagues help me.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job! You showcased your ability to recognize when you lack skills, take the initiative to improve those skills, and work with colleagues to help learn.
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