How to Answer: Tell us about a difficult patient experience during your Pediatric Residency training. How did you handle the situation professionally and respectfully?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a PICU Fellowship job interview.
21. Tell us about a difficult patient experience during your Pediatric Residency training. How did you handle the situation professionally and respectfully?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During your Pediatric Residency training, you had the opportunity to work with patients in a wide variety of settings. This likely has included handling difficult patients. This question allows your interviewers to assess your patience, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and stress management skills.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about a simple scenario so you don't spend too much time describing details of the patient's story. Instead, spend your time describing your thoughts and actions. Your answer should demonstrate your ability to remain calm, patient, empathetic, and logical while helping the patient to the best of your abilities.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
Answer Example
"During the second year of my rotation in the pediatric ED setting, I had a patient who appeared to be the victim of abuse. The patient had a broken arm and bruising consistent with abuse. This situation was difficult for me because it was the first time I had ever been exposed firsthand to a potential abuse case. While it raised some strong emotions inside of me, I kept my composure and watched my attending and support staff walk through the proper steps of a suspected abuse case. Looking back, I feel fortunate to have had this exposure to know how to handle similar situations moving forward."
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022