Medical School Mock Interview
Excel in your medical school interview with 50 essential questions covering ethics, clinical scenarios, and motivation.
Question 21 of 50
As a future physician, you may have to deal with the death of a patient. How will you professionally cope with this reality?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Some medical specialties have to deal with the loss of patients directly, while others don't have to as much. The reality is that medical students need to realize that this is a part of their job as future physicians. Your medical school interviewers want to know that you understand that facing death is a workplace reality for a physician.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I recently read a paper by Dr. Lea Baider and Dr. Simon Wein on the realities of physicians facing death regularly. The paper suggested that physicians who are successful in dealing with death at appropriate times compartmentalize the events of their day. The paper went on to say that if a physician is to split the mechanics of the problem from the emotional side, the physician can continue to function without emotions getting in the way. I think this is a good recommendation, but it is also important to choose an appropriate time to address those emotions. This could mean having a mentor or counselor I could visit regularly. Also, not internalizing a death or placing blame on myself for the event will be extremely important throughout my training and career."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Assure the interviewers that you are capable of handling this reality regularly. You can discuss that you know this is part of the job and that you have the tools to handle this aspect of the job.
"Losing a patient can be emotional, especially if you have been closely associated with his or her treatment. It is important to recognize that these feelings are normal and that medicine is an art, not an absolute science. Death is a natural occurrence and part of humanity. I think a constructive way to cope with patient loss is to reflect on the patient's treatment course, highlighting important events and strategies which can be used to improve care for future patients."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
I need to reflect on my day before bed, and doing so has pushed me to ensure that nothing I do is left to chance. I know that I did my best to prevent death, but if such an unfortunate event happens, then I will accept it as part of life, and I would pray for the family, the way I've done for my relatives of hospice patients who have passed.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's important in this answer that you do not internalize a death or take it personally, as though you did something wrong. Your answer shows your ability to do this very well.
Anonymous Answer
As a physician, I would strive to compartmentalize my job from my emotions. I realize that there will be times where a person's life or death will be out of my control, and to cope with that, I will face the fact that such events are not my fault; that they are natural. Physicians must separate their emotions from their work to care for patients properly. As for ways of dealing with these emotions, I think fostering strong support systems with family and friends to talk through such feelings would be integral for me.
Rachelle's Feedback
You approach this question very well, and your professionalism shines through. Great answer.
Anonymous Answer
Facing death is inevitable, and I will probably be heartbroken and very sad. However, to cope with this, I will try to keep a positive mindset and focus on the positives of my job, such as saving people's lives and helping others to avoid suffering and death. I believe if I focus on all the positive impacts I had on other people's life, this outweighs the death that I will face. I will also find peace in that I tried to do everything I could to save that person's life.
Rachelle's Feedback
Focusing on the positives is always a smart approach, and helps us to realize the good things that happen despite the bad. You have a healthy outlook :)
Anonymous Answer
It is important as a physician to know when to take things personally and when they need to stay professional. I have been faced with a lot of death in my personal life, and I have learned how to cope with that. Although it is not easy, I am confident that I will be able to stay strong in the profession.
Rachelle's Feedback
You give a nice personal touch here. Try to take your answer a step further by offering up what your coping methods/mechanisms have been when dealing with this trauma in your personal life. What piece of advice would you give to someone facing this type of difficult situation?
Unlock All 50 Medical School Questions
Prepare for ethics questions, MMI stations, and panel interviews that admissions committees use.
Get StartedJump to Question