Tell us about a time you had to communicate bad news to the family of a patient during your residency training. How did you effectively communicate that news?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example

As you likely found out during your Pediatrics Residency training, the most difficult part of the job of a Pediatrician is often communicating a bad diagnosis to the family of a young patient. In the pediatric ICU setting, you will have to deliver horrifying and life-altering news to the families of your patients. Your interviewers want to see that you handled these situations by showing empathy and composure.

Before your interview, think back to a time when you had to have a difficult conversation during your residency training. Talk openly about what made the communication difficult and how you prepared and delivered the communication. Talk about your ability to understand their perspective and that you are open and available for questions from the family.

"During my community health rotation in the second year of residency, we found a concerning lump in a young patient's neck. After some quick lab work, we found that the lump was cancerous. My attending allowed me to have a conversation with the patient and her mother, and she coached me through the right approach. I broke the ice by letting them know that I had bad news and that the lump was found to be cancerous. I paused to allow them to think and react, but they didn't. I then asked what they were thinking, and the mother broke down into tears. I let her know that there were a lot of unknowns at the current moment and that we would refer her daughter to our pediatric oncology team for an initial consult the following day. I reassured the mother that she would be able to meet with a financial counselor in our oncology department and not to worry about that aspect of her daughter's care."

Next Question

How to Answer: Tell us about a time you had to communicate bad news to the family of a patient during your residency training. How did you effectively communicate that news?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a PICU Fellowship job interview.

16. Tell us about a time you had to communicate bad news to the family of a patient during your residency training. How did you effectively communicate that news?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

As you likely found out during your Pediatrics Residency training, the most difficult part of the job of a Pediatrician is often communicating a bad diagnosis to the family of a young patient. In the pediatric ICU setting, you will have to deliver horrifying and life-altering news to the families of your patients. Your interviewers want to see that you handled these situations by showing empathy and composure.

Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022

How to Answer

Before your interview, think back to a time when you had to have a difficult conversation during your residency training. Talk openly about what made the communication difficult and how you prepared and delivered the communication. Talk about your ability to understand their perspective and that you are open and available for questions from the family.

Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022

Answer Example

"During my community health rotation in the second year of residency, we found a concerning lump in a young patient's neck. After some quick lab work, we found that the lump was cancerous. My attending allowed me to have a conversation with the patient and her mother, and she coached me through the right approach. I broke the ice by letting them know that I had bad news and that the lump was found to be cancerous. I paused to allow them to think and react, but they didn't. I then asked what they were thinking, and the mother broke down into tears. I let her know that there were a lot of unknowns at the current moment and that we would refer her daughter to our pediatric oncology team for an initial consult the following day. I reassured the mother that she would be able to meet with a financial counselor in our oncology department and not to worry about that aspect of her daughter's care."

Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022

Next Question