PA School MMI Mock Interview

Master 25 MMI scenarios covering ethical dilemmas, teamwork, and clinical judgment for your PA school interview.

Question 7 of 25

How would you respond if a patient asks your thoughts on the topic of abortion?

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Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.

The ability to balance professional and personal opinion as a physician assistant will be a vital skill for your to possess as a PA student. During the multiple mini interview process, your interview team will likely pose a station where you have to strike this balance, and there's no more perfect scenario than the one posed in this question.

Ryan Brunner

Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.

PA school MMI processes are designed to gauge how potential students will react and handle real-life scenarios they may face during their clinical rotations during schooling and in practice in the future. You can prepare well for this and similar questions by practicing your response to a friend or loved one before your interview.

Ryan Brunner

Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.

Because this question states that the patient is asking for your thoughts on the topic, you can give them. But you'll need to be wary that if you do, you'll need to be professional in your approach and encourage the patient to make their own choices for their health and well-being. Declining to give your opinion in this situation is also appropriate as long as you can state this in a professional and empathetic manner.

Ryan Brunner

Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.

"Since the patient asked, I wouldn't hesitate to let them know that I believe that abortion is warranted as an option for those with specific medical conditions that put the mother at risk. Of course, a huge part of this decision would depend on my relationship with the patient and my comfort with having a direct conversation like this with them. I would also tell the patient that every person is entitled to their own opinion and eventual decisions on the matter and that I, as their healthcare provider, will be there to help them make an informed decision."

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25PA School MMI Interview Questions & Answers

Role Playing

1.Your team is discharging a patient in the end stages of kidney failure to hospice care. The patient's son approaches you, asking you to find a reason to keep him in the hospital. Respond to the patient's son.

Role Playing

2.A new patient gets angry at you for bringing up weight loss tactics when discussing their health. Respond to them.

Role Playing

3.You are playing catch with a friend in your yard and a ball goes over the fence and breaks a cherished lawn ornament of your neighbors. Knock on their door and explain to them what happened.

Ethical Scenario

4.Do you think it is okay for a Physician Assistant to be friends with a patient or follow a patient on any social media platforms?

Ethical Scenario

5.Is it ever okay to be dishonest with a patient?

Ethical Scenario

6.What would you do if you found out a fellow PA student was cheating?

Ethical Scenario

7.How would you respond if a patient asks your thoughts on the topic of abortion?

Communication

8.Let's pretend I've never cooked a cheeseburger before. Walk me through how to successfully prepare and cook it to perfection.

Cultural Fit

9.What appeals to you the most about joining our Physician Assistant program?

Diversity

10.Our program and institution values a culturally diverse and inclusive atmosphere. How do you expect to thrive and prosper in this environment?

Essay Writing

11.What do you feel is one of the biggest issues that physician assistants face in practice?

Policy

12.How do you feel about the differences in state laws that impact a physician assistant's ability to prescribe and administer prescription drugs and medical devices?

Scenario Based

13.You are having a disagreement with a colleague about the best treatment path for a patient after discussing options. How would you handle that situation?

Scenario Based

14.What would you do if a patient told you they couldn't afford a procedure they desperately needed?

Scenario Based

15.If you are faced with a large clinical workload, extra hours in the hospital, and an increasing administrative workload during your career, how will you prevent burning out?

Teamwork

16.You will be given a drawing of a sunset scene on a beach, and you will have to describe to your collaborator how to draw the scene without them seeing the actual picture.

Teamwork