In your opinion, what is the most concerning issue facing the medical industry today?
Being an aspiring medical student means you take a keen interest in current events by closely following the challenges the medical industry faces. The interviewers want to see that your interest is deep and that you spend time learning and understanding the challenges you will face in your future career as a physician.
"I feel the most concerning issue in the medical industry is the continual rise of drug prices. The best medications should be accessible to anyone, regardless of financial or social status. There has been a rising concern with big pharma creating drugs and pricing them so high that they are unattainable to most. What do you feel are the most concerning issues facing the medical industry today?"
Discuss what you feel to be a primary concerning issue, and be sure to ask the interviewers what they see as the most concerning issue in the medical field today. This question is an opportunity to start a very insightful conversation.
"The most concerning issue facing the medical industry is the ever-rising cost of healthcare, particularly in the US. Healthcare is very expensive for a plethora of reasons, and this may preclude some individuals from receiving the care that they need."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I think the most concerning issue in the medical field today is the lack of valid preventative biomarkers for diseases. Many diseases, particularly neurodegenerative ones like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, display altered biological function decades before the onset of symptoms. Since medicine is moving away from treatment and more into prevention, I would like to see more research into identifying biomarkers that are predictive of disease risk or progression rather than as targets for measuring drug efficacy. Similarly, I would like to see drugs developed to treat these impairments before the negative symptoms of such diseases taking place.
Rachelle's Feedback
Wouldn't this change the game! Your answer is very unique and incredibly insightful. Excellent work.
Anonymous Answer
Patient education and advocacy. Many times I have witnessed patients in the retina clinic in which I work have no idea what medications they are taking, what diseases they have, or what doctors they see for either of those. How can someone understand how to combat diabetes if they don't realize that bread and pasta will harm them just as ice cream will? A large proportion of patients that I see take medications and have no idea how (or why) to help their bodies to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. with diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications. As a physician, I will seek to be as realistic with my patients as possible and to provide clear direction and information to combat these issues.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a concern, indeed, and so very common! It's great that you will put so much effort into helping your patients understand their treatment and how they can best help themselves.
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