Gastroenterology Fellowship Mock Interview
Practice 35 Gastroenterology Fellowship interview questions covering clinical cases, procedural skills, and program fit.
Question 22 of 35
What are your thoughts on the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry?
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Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
As an Internal Medicine Resident, you were hopefully exposed to the relationships that physicians have with reps from the pharmaceutical industry. This relationship will continue during your future practice in gastroenterology. Your interviewers will want to hear that you can see the positives in your relationships with the pharma industry.
Ryan Brown created and launched MockQuestions in 2008.
"While I recognize that financial incentives provided by pharmaceutical companies are not acceptable and should be restricted during my time as a GI Fellow with your program and in process, I see value in pharmaceutical sales representatives as useful sources for information about a new drug, including data from clinical trials, samples for my future patients, and information about the manufacturer's program. This can make their drugs more affordable for patients who struggle financially, particularly those who don't have health insurance. Between the histamine blocks, PPIs, and promotility agents, I know that I will be prescribing a wide variety of medications to my patients as a fellow with your program and the drug reps can be a great ally for me."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Due to the tendencies of these companies to financially reward physicians for using or prescribing their products, it is important to realize that sales representatives of pharmaceutical companies are an important ally for physicians and provide essential information. Assure your interviewers that you are open to listening to the reps and learning about new treatment options for your patients.
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I am open to listening to the reps and learning about new treatment options for your patients. While I recognize that financial incentives provided by pharmaceutical companies are not acceptable and should be restricted, I see value in pharmaceutical sales representatives as useful sources of information about a new drug, including data from clinical trials, samples for my future patients, and information about the manufacturer's program. This can make their drugs more affordable for patients who struggle financially, particularly those who don't have health insurance.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! You have provided a balanced and thoughtful response that outlines many of the positives of pharmaceutical sales representatives. You may want to consider adding another sentence or two, however, with some of the negatives and conflicts of interest that can arise in this situation. Emphasize that you recognize that a physician's primary duty is to ensure the good health and welfare of the patient ahead of any pharmaceutical company's interests. Great job!
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