If you were to match into our Infectious Disease fellowship, what type of team player would you be?
For ID physicians, teamwork and communication are essential when working closely with clinic/hospital support staff and triaging patients correctly. Your interviewers expect you to talk about the type of team player you will be as part of their ID fellowship program.
Explain that you are a great communicator, can take direction, and can take charge and lead others when needed. Talk about your experiences as part of a larger team during your Internal Medicine residency training and the role you are most comfortable playing on a team. While this is an open-ended question, be sure to give some semblance of your ability to lead others respectfully.
"I have always thrived in a team environment and can be very fluid in the roles I play on a team, as long as it is for the greater good. I am most comfortable leading others and can't wait to do this with the team of nursing staff and other care staff at your institution as an Infectious Disease fellow. My leadership starts with building rapport with my team and keeping lines of communication open on both ends. I encourage others to come to me when needed and don't hesitate to give constructive feedback to my team members when necessary."
"I believe being a team player is key to providing the best patient care. I am eager to work in a team with people of different backgrounds and talents to help patients. From my residency training, I will also bring a great ability to collaborate with primary care and other physicians who would be referring patients to me."
