Physician Assistant Mock Interview
Master 40 Physician Assistant interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care, and medical decision-making.
Question 2 of 40
What is an issue in the current healthcare system that you would like to see change?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
The interviewer is looking for you to identify a struggle you may have and share how you constructively handle this challenge in your typical workday. Be careful not to complain. Instead, present a solution to a challenging situation.
Don't be afraid to share a controversial topic, but be aware of your audience. If you know that your interviewer is passionate about nutrition, consider sharing how you have researched the ingredients included in feeding tubes for patients who cannot swallow or are in a coma. Talk about how nutrition needs to be a higher priority, and how the food quality needs to change.
Whatever it may be, share your knowledge and experience about the topic. Tell the interviewer how you are going to help change this particular issue in healthcare.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Everyone has something they would like to change about their job. For myself, if I could change anything at all, I would ensure that our RN's are given a stronger voice when it comes to the opinions in patient care and diagnosis. Many of our RN's are incredibly knowledgeable and are not often given a chance to be heard."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am new to my career as a physician assistant. However, I am not new to the healthcare industry. I would say that the most challenging factor at the moment is the budgetary needs of my department. We are a small medical facility with limited resources."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Everyone has something they would like to change about their job. If I could change anything, I would ensure that my patients have affordable health care. My patients often tell me they fail to see me regularly because their insurance does not cover routine visits. So many diseases are discovered during regular office visits that it is a shame that insurance does not cover this."
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Anonymous Answer
One issue in the current healthcare system is the lack of diversity among providers which contributes to healthcare disparities. As a Somali native, I have seen and experienced firsthand how communication barriers and cultural differences can cause frustration and misunderstanding for underserved communities when accessing healthcare.
Rachelle's Feedback
You make an excellent point in your response, and you deliver your thoughts very well. If it were up to you, what would you do to help create positive change when it comes to this concern?
Anonymous Answer
I believe that most people working in the healthcare field would like to change at least one aspect of their job.
For myself, if I could change anything in my profession, I would make sure that healthcare professionals, nurses and carers, are given more appreciation and recognition for their hard work, including more career development opportunities.
Rachelle's Feedback
Terrific idea! If you could wave a magic wand and give these healthcare professionals any career development opportunities, what areas of focus do you feel are most important?
Anonymous Answer
As we are in the middle of a pandemic, virtual patient visits are more popular than in-person visits. I believe that our healthcare system is still lacking an efficient platform that would allow healthcare professionals to properly follow up with patients. I would suggest hiring software developers who could work together with healthcare professionals on developing a new platform that would allow virtual visits to be a more pleasant experience for patients and providers.
Stephanie's Feedback
You raise an important issue here! However, to strengthen your response, I would suggest being a bit more specific. Where exactly is there a gap? What features would this improved platform need to have? More specific details will make your answer really shine.
Anonymous Answer
I think the most beneficial change would be to make healthcare more affordable. Patients often end up in the hospital because they postpone care for financial reasons. It's unfortunate because it ends up costing them and our healthcare system a lot more money in the end. I think I can do my part as a hospitalist PA by educating my patients and their families and connecting them with resources in the community upon discharge.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great topic! You discuss the issue and how it impacts providers and patients, and you go the extra mile to speak about how you will combat that issue. Well done.
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