Medical School Mock Interview
Excel in your medical school interview with 50 essential questions covering ethics, clinical scenarios, and motivation.
Question 7 of 50
What do you feel is the single most important quality a physician should possess?
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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.
Success as a physician in practice can stem from many different and unique qualities. In posing this question during your medical school interview, your interviewers want to hear that you've put some thought into what you believe is the top quality a great physician should have. They'll also be looking for you to show confidence in the qualities that will help you become a great 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 believe that the most important quality for a physician to possess is integrity. A physician with integrity will always put their patients first and do what is right for their health and safety in any situation. They will treat all attending staff respectfully and dedicate themselves to improving their craft. Integrity is essential, and I strive to reflect that in everything I do."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
This question is an opportunity to give a unique answer, so try to dig deeper than 'good bedside manner' or 'strong attention to detail. There is also no correct answer for this question, so you can consider any hard or soft skills and debate why you feel that skill is the single most important quality or skill that a physician can possess.
"The most important quality is selflessness. Physicians must always put their patients before themselves. Maintaining a selfless attitude in a busy clinical setting or with challenging patients is a difficult task, but something I believe distinguishes the best physicians."
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I think a physician should possess empathy. You can be the smartest physician in your practice, but if you are cold-hearted or disconnected from your patients, it will be difficult to help them. I learned that patients express a sense of vulnerability when they seek treatment and care from a physician. Thus, empathy provides support and helps to establish trust between the patient and physician. If patients feel that support, then they are more inclined to accept and receive care.
Rachelle's Feedback
You are so right regarding the vulnerability that patients can feel, and how empathy helps to break down barriers between doctors and patients.
Anonymous Answer
Dedication. Physicians must be dedicated to their patients, to life long learning, and to themselves to perform at high levels. A competent physician is dedicated not to the diseases that he or she treats but to the patient to address their mental, emotional, and physical needs. Dedication to life long learning is essential to stay up to date on best practices and current research to provide the best care to patients. Lastly, a physician must be dedicated to him or herself to prevent burn out. Making time for exercise, relaxation, and socialization helps to maintain a well-balanced life and keep the physician happy.
Rachelle's Feedback
You do a great job exploring dedication, and what it means in a variety of ways.
Anonymous Answer
I feel that the single most important quality physician should possess is integrity. I believe that honesty and having strong moral and ethical principles and values is a necessity to be in a profession that deals with people's lives that could result in death. I believe a physician should have unwavering morals and ethicals that will guide them in decisions towards patients' treatment, healthcare, and lives.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very well said! Integrity is a critical factor, indeed. At the end of your response, be sure to share the ways in which you display integrity in your professional life.
Anonymous Answer
To me, compassion is so important for physicians to possess. Patients visit physicians at such a vulnerable time in their life, and it is important to understand what they are going through and be able to comfort them while also telling them risks that come with their situation as well. Patients want someone who cares about their health and is willing to help.
Rachelle's Feedback
You are very right - compassion and care are very important. How do you emulate compassion in your every day life? Be sure to show the interviewer that you already have this quality/characteristic.
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