Are you comfortable making tough decisions in regard to a patient's care?

How to Answer
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

The interviewer wants to know how you handle stressful situations. Be sure to highlight your ability to think strategically and to make quick, thoughtful decisions. Provide an example of the confidence you have in your decision-making skills when it comes to patient care and the tough choices that go with it.

"As a PA, I decided to separate the feelings surrounding patient care decisions from my other emotions. The medical decision must be made factually and not based solely on feeling. For this reason, I do not find it difficult to make tough decisions."

"I think my confidence in making tough decisions has grown over the years. As a new physician assistant, I was a bit more hesitant to make these decisions and learned a great deal from the more tenured PAs on my team. Now, I make strategic and thoughtful decisions based on my knowledge and experience. I also am very comfortable asking for help in situations that may be new to me. I value the collaborative approach we have as a team."

"Yes, I am comfortable making tough decisions surrounding patient care. As an experienced PA, I need to make recommendations to the doctors based on my findings which are often related to terminally ill patients. It is never easy, but I am pragmatic."

Anonymous Answer

"During my clinical rotations, I learned how to make tough decisions by using resources such as collaboration with other providers and literature research while maintaining a patient's medical history and preferences. I have also learned to compartmentalize my emotions from evidence-based medical management."

Rachelle's Feedback

Solid response - well said! When it comes to the tough decisions you have made, it may be a good idea to briefly include a few examples of the type of tough decisions you have faced recently. This information will give the interviewer a better scope of the challenges you are accustomed to overcoming as a PA.

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Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I could say I am comfortable making a tough decision. As a registered nurse, I often find myself in a position where I need to make tough decisions for my patients for their safety and quality of care.

Furthermore, I often make recommendations to the doctors based on my patients' assessments, so the best decision regarding patients care it is being taken."

Rachelle's Feedback

It's wonderful that you feel comfortable making recommendations and speaking up for patient care. I recommend including a brief story of a time when you made a tough decision regarding a patient's care. This addition to your answer will show the interviewer your decision-making skills in action.

Anonymous Answer

"As a Physician Assistant, I am aware that I will have a team of other healthcare professionals working with me to provide excellent patient care. In instances where I may be faced with tough decisions, I would consult with my peers and supervising physician. I would consider all angles to a given situation and make the best decision based on that.

I am aware that tough decisions can certainly impact the wellbeing of my patients, therefore I would base all decisions against the local governing guidelines of where I work."

Chad's Feedback

You have provided a considerate and logical approach to making difficult decisions at this stage of your career. Good job! However, you also want to assure the interviewer that you have confidence in your own decision-making skills and can handle stressful situations. To strengthen this response, I recommend including a brief story of a time when you made a tough decision regarding a patient's care.

Anonymous Answer

"I am comfortable making tough decisions if I feel I have all the information necessary to support them. It's never easy, but I put my own emotions aside and base my decisions on what is best for the patient. Decisions should be made with the patient and their family, so I provide the information I know and give my recommendations. If I don't feel like I have enough information, I value the collaborative nature of the medical field and am happy to ask for help from others with more experience."

Jaymie's Feedback

Perfect! Your response focuses on the patient and doing what is right for them. It also demonstrates your confidence but also that you're not afraid to ask for help when needed instead of guessing, which might jeopardize the patient and the company.