An insistent or demanding parent can be a problem when treating a child in the Pediatric Emergency setting. How would you approach a parent like that as a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow?
This question centers on a common problem in the pediatric emergency care setting. A sick child is a powder keg for disagreement between a parent and a provider. How you answer this question will give your interviewers a good feel for your ethics and diplomacy as a fellow in their program.
"First and foremost, providing an ear and listening to the parent would ensure that they are heard and most often put them at ease. Then my approach would be to let them know the care plan for their child based on what I know currently. If more tests needed to be done, I would let the parent know we would keep them in the loop every step of the way. Knowing that this time could be one of the most stressful and fearful times they have faced as parents, it would always be my job to be the focused and caring individual for them."
You have to walk a fine line when answering this question in that you have to do what is necessary to put the parent at ease while taking excellent care of their child. Discuss acknowledging the parents' expertise in their child, knowing that the parent truly cares about their child and is doing what's best for them, and working to establish boundaries. In contrast, the child is under your care in the emergency room.
