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

For scenario-based situations during an MMI process, a good answer will depend on your research ahead of the interview and your ability to think on your feet during the interview. Come to your PA school interview with some knowledge of financial aid options commonly available to uninsured or underinsured patients, and be ready to show your interviewer that you can be resourceful in doing what's best for your patients.

When faced with a patient who can't afford necessary care, it is your job as their healthcare provider to keep them informed about available options and potential costs. But as an interviewing PA student, you may not be aware of all of the options that may be available. It will be essential to read up on financial aid options and pro bono care before your interview so you can speak with confidence about what some healthcare systems offer. No matter how you answer, explain how you will put the patient in touch with the right people that can help them.

"If a patient brought this up with me as their healthcare provider, I would empathize with them and assure them that I would see about getting them in touch with the right people concerning financial aid, setting up payment plans, or being referred to a reduced fee clinic. When I'm in practice down the road, I would plan to be in touch with these resources and make sure that the patient could connect with the right people. It's no secret that the burden of costs of care is falling more and more on the patients. I watched a close relative go through a similar dilemma with a herniated disc, and her physician and hospital worked hard to set her on a payment plan for her out-of-pocket costs. Seeing how the surgery changed her life for the better was such a positive experience."