General Surgery Residency Mock Interview

Prepare for 30 General Surgery Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, surgical knowledge, and program fit.

WRITTEN BY KRISTA WENZ

QUESTION 1 OF 30

The attrition rate for general surgery residents is relatively high. What will you do to keep motivated and prevent yourself from burning out?

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

According to the United States National Institutes of Health, the attrition rate for general surgery residents range from 14% to 32%, which is higher than in other non-surgical or surgical fields of medicine. The article attributes overwhelming stress during general surgery residency causes burnout and manifests in decreased job performance and attrition. The interviewers want to hear your plans to stay motivated, reduce stress, and continue your residency until completion. Describe healthy ways you manage your stress levels and keep yourself from burning out.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

Example Answer

"I understand this residency is stressful, and I am prepared for that. If I feel overly stressed, I will discuss this with my attending. In addition, I eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, and spend time with my family on my days off. Taking care of myself mentally and physically prepares me to handle stressful situations with ease."

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30 General Surgery Residency Interview Questions & Answers

Jump to any question in the set.

01 The attrition rate for general surgery residents is relatively high. What will you do to keep motivated and prevent yourself from burning out? DISCOVERY 02 There are many pros to being a surgeon. In your opinion, what are some cons of being a surgeon? DISCOVERY 03 Why did you decide to pursue a career as a surgeon? DISCOVERY 04 What are your career goals after completing your chief resident training? CAREER GOALS 05 General surgery is a highly competitive residency to match. Why should we choose you over other applicants? COMPATIBILITY 06 What qualities do you possess that will make you a successful resident? COMPATIBILITY 07 What are the pillars of excellence for an attending surgeon? DILIGENCE 08 Tell us about your volunteer experience. DIRECT 09 How many abstracts, presentations, and publications are you responsible for? DISCOVERY 10 What made you choose our residency program over others? DILIGENCE 11 How would you describe your interpersonal and communication skills? COMMUNICATION 12 How would you approach a patient who refused surgery based on their religious beliefs, even if you knew their decision could cause them to die? TOUGH 13 Do you have any questions about our residency program? ASK THE INTERVIEWER 14 Name some strengths you would bring to our program as a resident. COMPATIBILITY 15 What part of our general surgery residency program will be the most challenging for you? DISCOVERY 16 Tell us what your days will look like as a general surgery resident. DILIGENCE 17 What unique skill or talent do you have that will complement your job as a surgeon? DISCOVERY 18 What part of medical school was the most stressful for you? STRESS 19 Do you see yourself as a leader? When have you led a team? LEADERSHIP 20 Do you have plans to pursue a surgical fellowship? CAREER GOALS 21 How do you handle a dispute with a colleague? CONFLICT 22 In your opinion, what is the future of general surgery? DIRECT 23 How do you keep your emotions from affecting your work? ADAPTABILITY 24 Do you aspire to have your own practice one day? If so, what about business ownership interests you? DISCOVERY 25 Do you have any overseas clinical experience? EDUCATION 26 What are your hobbies and interests outside of work and school? DISCOVERY 27 How do you cope when losing a patient? BEHAVIORAL 28 How would you describe your bedside manner? BEHAVIORAL 29 After researching our curriculum, what rotation are you looking forward to, and why? DISCOVERY 30 As a physician, what is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve? DISCOVERY

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Krista Wenz

Written by Krista Wenz

30 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS · GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY