Talk to us about your experience handling blood and other bodily fluids. You will be subject to many scenarios as you enter medical school, and we need to know how you feel about this.
While a career as a physician involves working with every body fluid from the human body, your interviewing team at the medical school you are interviewing with can never assume that each candidate is comfortable working with blood, urine, and other fluids. Because you will be working hands-on with all during your time in medical school, they need to know that you will be able to handle the sights and experiences you will come across during your time with their program.
"I have never been a queasy individual, and I fully understand the types of cases I will see in my career as a physician. During my undergrad studies, I volunteered at our local drop-in shelter and have seen a wide range of situations involving blood. Rather than think about the gore, I think about the fact that it's a human being who needs my help. I believe this mentality will get me through any gruesome or undesirable situation during medical school and further into residency training."
You can keep your answer simple by discussing your ability to handle events involving blood and other bodily fluids. Stress that you have put some thought into this fact as you look to enter medical school and that you are comfortable in handling any aspect of this in your training.
"These things do not bother me at all. In fact, I used to participate in my high school's work study program in which students would spend time after school cleaning; we would clean bathrooms, scrape gum off the bleachers, and mop the floors after accidents. I would say that I am comfortable handling bodily fluids and organic material."
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 work for a plastic surgeon right now. Within that role, I am obligated to assist her with procedures performed in the office. I have seen everything from breast seroma fluid drained, to implant removals in the office to lipoma excisions. Bodily fluids don't affect me in a bad way, and I am happy to help where I am needed.
Rachelle's Feedback
It seems you've had exposure to some major situations, and handled them well. Strong response!
Anonymous Answer
I've had many experiences in the medical field by working as an EMT and a clinical assistant and therefore have been an active participant in patients' care, which most times involved blood and other bodily fluids. This never bothered me because while I am a healthcare professional, I care about helping and treating patients.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer sounds very confident, and it's clear that you are ready to focus on your patients overall.
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