Can you give me an example of one of the most difficult things you've faced as a medical assistant, and how did you handle it?
"When I first became a medical assistant, I had a patient who came into the clinic thinking he may have pneumonia. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. It was a very stressful time for the patient and his family. With the cancer being so far progressed when he received his diagnosis, his prognosis was not good. He chose not to attempt any treatment. I learned quickly that being a compassionate ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on are very important characteristics for any healthcare professional to possess. I spent as much time with him and his family as I could without neglecting my other patients. It was a very sobering experience for me as a new medical assistant to realize just how quickly a person's life can change with one diagnosis."
Medical assistants often perform a great deal of clinical patient care and, therefore, come across difficult cases. With this question, the interviewer wants to know that you are capable of handling the stress that come with handling difficult situations. It's OK to share a personal experience/example, but remember to only use information that will not risk compromising the integrity of a patient's right to privacy.
"One of the most difficult things for me is when I am caring for someone who has no family or friends to visit or offer emotional support. Seeing patients who are sick and struggling is hard, but when they don't have anyone to visit or offer care and support to them, it often makes the situation so much harder. This is one reason that many patients seem to lose hope and stop fighting to become better. When I have a situation like this, I always try to prioritize my time and duties so that I can spend any extra time with those patients. Being able to offer support and show compassion to someone is a great feeling, and patients do appreciate the effort."
