Do you have any questions about our residency program?

"After reading your detailed website and speaking with many of your fellows and residents, most of my questions were answered. I do have a few questions, though. What type of practices are most of your graduates going into after their residency? What type of feedback are you receiving from your graduates? Finally, what would you describe as your program's strengths?"

Most residency programs will have a detailed description on their website stating what is involved with the program, clinical rotations, the primary teaching site, accredited length of training, the residency directors, mentoring, and more. The interviewers want to see that you have researched their program and do not want to answer questions you could have found on their website, showing a lack of attention to detail. Good questions to ask are how the interviewers perceive their program compared to others, what feedback they have received from graduates, the program's strengths, if they offer community service programs during residency, and if any changes are anticipated in the program in the next five years.

How do you deal with constructive criticism, even when delivered in a manner you do not prefer?

"I value constructive criticism. Generally, the person giving me feedback has more experience and knowledge than I do, so I see it as a learning opportunity to grow professionally. I understand everyone has different communication styles, so I do not take it personally if the feedback is delivered differently than I would give."

You will undoubtedly be given constructive criticism during your preventive medicine residency. Sometimes the feedback will not be delivered respectfully, while other times, it will. The interviewers want to see that you can handle any feedback and realize that no matter how constructive criticism is delivered, it is an opportunity for you to grow professionally. Describe how you deal with constructive criticism and use it as a learning opportunity.

What part of the residency will be the most challenging for you?

"The most challenging part of the residency will be finding a healthy work/life balance. I have spoken with other residents who said they had no social life and little time for themselves. I plan to spend my free time with friends and family and prioritize taking care of myself by eating healthy and exercising. When I have a healthy work/life balance, I can handle other stressors much easier."

Every residency program will have challenges. Finances, work/life balance, relocation, time management, research, studying, and patient care, to name a few. The interviewers want to see that you are proactive and have identified what will be most challenging and decided how to overcome the challenge. Describe what will be the most difficult part of your residency and what you plan to do about it.

What are your career goals after completing the residency program?

"I am interested in working as a preventive medicine physician in clinical care. I enjoy working directly with patients to help prevent disease and promote a healthy lifestyle. I aim to work for the US Veterans Health Administration to offer my services to those who served in our military. I come from a family of service members, so it is a natural progression for me."

The American College of Preventive Medicine reports that graduates from preventive medicine residency programs have many potential career paths, such as population health system management, public health and epidemiology, public health policy development, clinical care, health informatics, and more. The interviewers are curious about your career goals after residency to see where your interests lie and to learn more about your motivation to attend their residency program.

Do you have plans to pursue a preventive medicine fellowship after completing your residency?

"No, I do not have plans to pursue a preventive medicine fellowship after my residency. My goal is to enter private practice as a preventive medicine physician after I complete my residency."

There are numerous preventive medicine fellowships offered in the U.S., including addiction medicine, medical toxicology, occupational medicine, nutrition and metabolism, clinical informatics, and healthcare executive, to name a few. The interviewers are curious about your career goals after you complete the residency program. They want to see if a sub-specialty interests you and why you chose to pursue a fellowship. There is no wrong answer, and this is not a trick question. The interviewers just want to get to know your future goals a little better.

How would you describe your communication skills?

"I would describe my communication skills as above average. I work very hard to ensure I speak to my patients in terms they can understand. Medical terminology can be quite confusing for those not in the medical field. After explaining something to a patient or family member, I have them repeat what I said to ensure they are clear on what I told them. I ask them if they have questions, I actively listen, and I am great at reading body language. My written communication skills are exceptional, as well."

As a physician, you must be able to communicate well with others. The interviewers ask this question to see that you have the strong verbal and written communication skills required for residents and preventive medicine physicians. Your duties will include speaking to your attending physicians, colleagues, patients, and the public. You will also be responsible for written communications when writing reports and communicating by email. The interviewer would like to hear that you have the necessary communication skills for the role.

What are three strengths you would bring to our program as a resident?

"The three strengths I would bring to the program as a resident is my thirst for knowledge, my strong work ethic, and my active listening skills. I look forward to working with attending physicians to train me further as a preventive medicine physician. I actively listen to my patients, mentors, and colleagues, which earns their respect and trust. I always arrive early to work and do tasks before I am told. I actively seek ways to help others and look forward to bringing these strengths to your program as a resident."

The interviewers ask this question to see if you have the characteristics and qualities they seek in a resident. They want to hear that you are self-aware and confident enough to identify and describe your strengths. Think of three strengths that will help you succeed as a resident and bring value to the preventive medicine residency program. Some strengths that will make you stand out as a candidate include the following:- Strong work ethic - Leadership - Teamwork - Communication - Diligence - Problem-solvingAfter listing your three strengths, give examples of how they will help you succeed as a resident.

Name the four levels of prevention.

"The four levels of prevention are primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. These strategies combined aim to prevent the onset of disease through risk reduction and downstream complications of a manifested disease."

As a future preventive medicine physician, the interviewers expect you to know the four levels of prevention. The preventive levels are primordial prevention, primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention. Explain the four levels and how these strategies combined aim to prevent the onset of disease through risk reduction and downstream complications of a manifested disease.

What is preventive medicine?

"Preventive medicine focuses on the health and well-being of communities and individuals. The focus of preventive medicine is to prevent disease, disability, and death by educating the public on a healthy lifestyle and the importance of health screenings."

Preventive medicine is a medical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) which focuses on the health of individuals and communities. Preventive medicine ultimately aims to prevent disease, disability, and death. The interviewers want to hear that you understand the meaning of preventive medicine and can describe what it is to others.

There are many misconceptions about preventive medicine. How do you describe your job as a preventive medicine physician to patients, friends, and family?

"I agree; I get asked about what preventive medicine is quite a bit. My family was under the impression that I would only be giving vaccines and performing screening tests. I describe preventive medicine as promoting, protecting, and maintaining health and well-being to prevent disability, disease, and premature death. I explain how preventive medicine physicians have experience in public health and can provide clinical care like other physicians. I also explain how my goal is to prevent health issues before there is a need to treat them."

A medical blog wrote an article about ten common misconceptions in preventive medicine. One of the misconceptions in the industry is that preventive medicine is just vaccines and screening tests. The interviewers want to hear how you describe your future position as a preventive medicine physician to those around you.

How do you handle a dispute with a colleague?

"Over the years, I have found the involved parties can fix all conflicts with honest, open communication. When both parties can explain why they are bothered by something and decide how to handle the situation maturely, less conflict will likely happen in the future. Most conflicts are simply a misunderstanding or lack of communication. When I have a dispute with a colleague, I ask to speak to them privately to discuss the matter. It is never professional to have a disagreement or conflict in front of others."

It is not uncommon for colleagues to dispute or disagree with someone they work with. The interviewers know this and want to see how you have handled disputes in the past. How you respond gives the interviewers insight into your problem-solving, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, which are essential skills to possess in any profession.Focus on giving a detailed explanation of how you handled a past disagreement. You do not necessarily need to describe the reason for the dispute, just how you dealt with it. The interviewers want to hear that you dealt with the conflict privately, calmly, and professionally and that there was a resolution.

How do you stay current with the ongoing advancements in preventive medicine?

"I stay current with the ongoing advancements in preventive medicine in various ways. I subscribe to several industry blogs, such as Global Public Health and The Rand Corporation, that deliver a message to my email when there is a new blog outlining the latest trends. I also read scholarly preventive medicine articles and listen to the Preventive Medicine Podcast every morning on my way to work. I have also attended seminars and conferences yearly for the past four years that always have the latest on advancements in the field of preventive medicine."

As a future preventive medicine physician, staying current with the ongoing advancements in your industry is essential. There are many ways you can stay up-to-date with changes in your profession, such as continuing education, talking with colleagues, attending conferences, reading articles, listening to podcasts, and reading medical journals. The interviewers would like to hear that you are proactive and diligent in staying current with ongoing advancements. Describe your methods of staying up-to-date on the latest industry news.

What does a day in the life of a preventive medicine resident look like?

"After speaking with a former resident and fellow of your program, I have a good understanding of the daily life of a preventive medicine resident. A typical day will start at 8 a.m. with a morning conference that lasts an hour. I will then leave and go to the facility where I am doing rotations and stay there until approximately 5 p.m."

Every specialty will have a slightly different day in the life of a resident. The interviewers want to see that you have done your homework and understand your daily life as a preventive medicine resident. Some programs describe what a resident's day looks like on their website. If the program you applied to does not have that information, speak with former or current fellows and residents or visit the university or medical center and talk to the program directors. It would be best if you understood what your day entails before starting the program, so there are no surprises.

Preventive medicine is a competitive residency to match. Why should we choose you over other applicants?

"You should choose me over applicants because of my dedication, research experience, and leadership skills. It has taken a lot of schooling to get to this point, showing my dedication to my profession. I have clinical research experience and published a peer-reviewed article on the missed opportunity in preventing gestational diabetes. Also, I have demonstrated my leadership skills as an AMA medical student outreach leader and student member of the AMA Foundation Board. I am excited about this opportunity and hope to match with your wonderful residency program."

A preventive medicine residency is a competitive residency to match since most programs only have a few spots versus other residency programs. The interviewers want to hear why they should choose you over others competing to match. While there are many qualified candidates, you must let the interviewers know why you are a top-notch applicant. Tell the interviewers about your away rotations, research experience, volunteer work, USMLE scores, and any other achievements or accolades that will make the interviewers remember you.

Why did you choose a career in preventive medicine?

"I originally wanted to work as an oncologist, but after my clinical training, I became focused on wanting to help people before they become sick. With proper education, there will be less of a need to treat patients by preventing health issues before they arise."

The interviewers want to hear your reasons for choosing this profession to understand what inspires and motivates you to pursue this career. They want to hear if another preventive medicine physician mentored you, if you have family or friends who work in preventive medicine, or if you chose this career path after your clinical training.Focus on giving your personal reason for choosing this career, responding with enthusiasm and passion. There is no right or wrong answer. The interviewers want to gain insight into what made you pursue this career path to see if you will be a good fit for their residency program.

How would your friends describe your personality?

"My friends would describe my personality as outgoing, friendly, and compassionate. I make friends easily as I love to talk to people and get to know them personally, and I am always friendly with everyone I meet. I believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect and always helping someone when they need assistance. My friends constantly say I am a people person and that I chose the right profession to pursue."

Personality is described as the combination of characteristics and qualities that form an individual's distinctive character. The interviewers ask this question to see how your friends view you and what they would say makes you unique to see if you will be a good candidate for their program. It is best to use three to four words that your friends would use to describe your personality, with examples to show why they would describe you that way.

Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.

"Something I am proud of that is not on my resume is that I have a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I am proud of this accomplishment because it took me ten years of hard work and dedication to receive my belt. I enjoy keeping in shape and knowing how to defend myself in a non-violent manner. For the last two years, I have competed in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Brazil and won second and third place in my weight class."

The interviewers would like to learn more about you as a person. While you cannot share everything about your personal life and accomplishments on your CV, there must be something you are proud of that you would like to share. If possible, share something about yourself that shows the interviewers you would be a good fit for the residency program. For example, if you share that you compete in triathlons, the interviewers will see that you are dedicated and diligent, both essential qualities for residents to possess.

What do you think the future of preventive medicine looks like?

"I think preventive medicine is the future of healthcare. I recently read an article that said preventive healthcare is the number-one priority of governments across the globe after the pandemic hit. Advancements in machine learning and sensor technology will greatly improve our ability to gather data on public health, accurately predict individual risk factors, and measure the impact of preventive medicine on the health of our patients and society at large. Preventive medicine physicians will be able to deliver improved, more personalized care, improving patient outcomes and efficiency. I am excited for what the future in preventive medicine holds."

The interviewers want to see that you are forward-thinking and how you perceive the future of your chosen profession. As this question asks your opinion, there is no wrong answer. However, if you have no response to the question, the interviewers will determine that you haven't put much thought into the future. It is also recommended to ask the interviewers what they think preventive medicine will look like in the future. It shows you are interested in hearing what they say and value their experience.

After researching our curriculum, what rotation are you looking forward to, and why?

"I am looking forward to every rotation you offer, but the one I am most excited about is the prevention and control of tropical diseases rotation. I am particularly interested in that rotation as I have some knowledge of tropical diseases after doing an overseas clinical in South America. However, there are so many different tropical diseases I am unaware of, so I look forward to learning more during that rotation."

Every preventive medicine residency program will have its own rotation schedule, which you most likely saw when researching the residency program. The interviewers ask this question to see where your interests lie in preventive medicine and to see that you have thoroughly researched their preventive medicine residency program. Explain what rotation you most look forward to and why.

Who in your life has inspired you?

"So many people have inspired me in my life. If I had to choose who has inspired me the most, I would say my grandfather. He immigrated to the United States from Cuba when he was 16 after his parents were killed in a car accident. He had two dollars and the clothes he was wearing and ended up living on the streets until he was 18 and had saved enough money from a paper route and shining shoes to rent an apartment. He now is a prominent cardiologist in Florida and showed me anything is possible with hard work and dedication."

The interviewers will ask this question to see if someone motivated you to pursue a career as a preventive medicine physician and also to hear how you communicate and connect with other people. It is best to describe a person you are close to and avoid political or religious figures. You do not know the interviewers' beliefs, and you definitely do not want to offend anyone.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work and school?

"I have many interests and hobbies. I enjoy volunteering, coaching my son's hockey team, playing board games with my family, and mountain biking and running. I volunteer with my family every Sunday at our local church's food bank and coach hockey once a week. Every Friday night, my family plays a board game and orders takeout for some good family bonding time. I mountain bike or run every morning before work to stay in shape and clear my head for the day."

The interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your personality and see that you have a healthy work/life balance. It is best to mention hobbies that showcase your strengths, skills, and passion that can transfer to your position as a preventive medicine physician. For example, if one of your hobbies is volunteering, it shows the interviewers that you enjoy helping people and are empathetic and compassionate. Mention several hobbies and why you enjoy them while avoiding interests that could be construed as unprofessional.

Tell us about your volunteer experience.

"My family introduced me to volunteering at ten years old, and I continue to volunteer to this day. During medical school, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, International Medical Corps, and Africa Health Placements, providing medical services to communities in developing countries. I am also an AMA medical student outreach leader and student member of the AMA Foundation Board. I like that part of the curriculum for your program includes community outreach, and I look forward to being involved in that if matched with your residency program."

Volunteer experience is all unpaid activities and committees you have been involved in. The interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your personality traits and hobbies that are important to you, such as being on a leadership council or debate committee. Volunteerism also shows the interviewers that you like to give back to the community and are selfless with your time. Tell the interviewers about your volunteer experience, no matter how small it may seem. The more volunteer experience you have, the better your chance to match with the program.

What made you choose our residency program over others?

"I chose your residency program over others for several reasons. First, one of my college professors was a resident in your preventive medicine program and highly recommended the training and guidance he received. Secondly, your program was ranked number one based on student activity reported in the AMA Residency and Fellowship database. After researching your program in greater depth, I decided this is the program I want to attend."

In the United States, there are currently 72 preventive medicine residency programs. The interviewers want to hear that you have researched their program in depth and that you have also compared their program to many others. When responding to this question, highlight unique aspects of their residency program that stand out from others. You may want to participate in their program because of their stellar reputation, dynamic and interactive training program, or because they are a research hospital. Let the interviewers know your reasons for choosing their preventive medicine residency program over others.

Do you have at least one year's clinical training experience in another residency before applying to our preventive medicine residency program?

"Yes, I have one year of clinical training experience in internal medicine through the New York Medical College. During that year, I was exposed to preventive medicine and found it extremely interesting, so I shifted my focus and career path and eventually want to work in public health and epidemiology."

Many preventive medicine residency programs in the United States require applicants to have completed at least one year (PGY-1) of postgraduate clinical training within a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The interviewers ask this question to see if you meet their requirements and understand what interests you in medicine. Describe any residency you have completed before applying to the preventive medicine residency program.

What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when my patients do not adhere to taking their medications or following their treatment plan. Following my recommendations, they could live a fuller, healthier life. What I have done to decrease my stress levels in this situation is to do all I can to explain why they have a treatment plan and how following it will get them better results. I communicate clearly and concisely so there is no misunderstanding. I leave it to my patients to do what they feel is best for them."

Stress in the healthcare industry can often be a regular part of the day-to-day work experience. Talk to the interviewers about the most stressful aspects of your career. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (i.e., a physician should not find caring for sick people the most stressful part of the job). While you'd like to mention what part of your career brings you the most stress, you don't want to dwell on it. Instead, you should mention the stressful part and then talk about how you reduce the stress, so it does not consume you. If healthcare professionals do not have healthy ways to destress, it can lead to illness, injury, and job burnout.

How do you handle stress on the job?

"I understand I chose a stressful career, and I am prepared for that. If I feel overly stressed, I will discuss this with my attending. However, I rarely get stressed as I know how to care for myself. I eat a healthy, balanced diet, exercise, and spend time with my family on my days off. Taking care of myself mentally and physically prepares me to handle stressful situations with ease."

The interviewers ask this question to determine if you are someone who can handle stress on the job. Working as a preventive medicine resident can be stressful and fast-paced, and the interviewers want to decide whether or not you will be able to handle the stress if matched for the residency. Talk to the interviewers about your ability to handle pressure in the workplace and techniques you use to minimize job stressors.

What part of medical school was the most stressful for you?

"I cannot name one thing that was the most stressful, as each year had new stressors. The most stressful part of my first year was getting used to the fast-paced environment and learning large amounts of information in a short amount of time. The board exams made my second year stressful, and my third year was getting close to applying for residency. By my fourth year, I had learned to manage my stress by staying focused and organized. I developed a great study system and used my downtime to exercise and rest. After attending medical school, I know I am ready for whatever stress I might experience in my residency program."

The interviewers want to hear what part of medical school was most stressful to determine what aspects of the residency program may be challenging. They also want to hear how you managed your stress so they can understand your coping mechanisms. Describe what you found most stressful and what steps you took to reduce your stress. You could also break down the most stressful part of each year and how you coped, showing the interviewers that you successfully managed your stress as each year progressed.

Are you good at working on a team?

"Yes, I work very well on a team. Growing up, I was involved in team sports which taught me the power of teamwork and working with other team members' strengths. I believe a team approach accomplishes greater things than working alone, as we can all learn from each other's experiences."

As a preventive medicine physician, you must work well on a team. You will be responsible for working with government agencies, corporations, public health departments, healthcare facilities, and health insurance companies. As a preventive medicine resident, you will work with attending physicians, patients, residents, and fellows. The interviewers want to hear that you work well with others and will be a valued team player if matched to their residency program. Describe your ability to be a team player.

Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.

"I had my ethics tested during my first year of medical school. I was on a very strict budget and did not have much money since medical school costs were so high. I found a purse in a basket in the parking lot of a grocery store. I opened up the purse, and there was $10,000 inside. No one was around, and I could have kept the money, but morally and ethically, I knew it was wrong. I was raised to do the right thing, so I went to the address on the person's driver's license and found the purse's owner. She was so grateful and started crying. She had just withdrawn the money from the bank to buy her teenage son a car for his birthday. She explained that she was a single mother and had saved for years to be able to afford to buy her son a car. It made me feel so good that I was the one who had found the purse and did the right thing by returning it."

You may sometimes be asked to do unethical things as a healthcare professional. The interviewers ask this question to see that you are honest and have integrity. They want to hear that you have morals and can be trusted in your position. Some examples could be witnessing someone cheat or steal or someone asking you to do something you knew was morally wrong.

What is your greatest weakness?

"My greatest weakness is my typing speed. I can type 40 words per minute, which is average. However, my goal is to get to 60 words per minute. I want to improve my typing speed because it will help me when taking notes and charting. I signed up for an online typing course and started one week ago. The course outline says I can go from amateur to pro in thirty days, spending thirty minutes a day practicing. I aim to be at 60 words per minute in the next thirty days. I am confident my typing speed will improve greatly during my residency as I have already seen an improvement."

The interviewers want to hear about your greatest weakness as a physician to see that you are self-aware and can identify an area that needs improvement. When you admit you have a deficiency in a particular aspect of your profession and take steps to improve, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and inspired to grow professionally.

Preventive Medicine Residency Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Do you have any questions about our residency program?
2. How do you deal with constructive criticism, even when delivered in a manner you do not prefer?
3. What part of the residency will be the most challenging for you?
4. What are your career goals after completing the residency program?
5. Do you have plans to pursue a preventive medicine fellowship after completing your residency?
6. How would you describe your communication skills?
7. What are three strengths you would bring to our program as a resident?
8. Name the four levels of prevention.
9. What is preventive medicine?
10. There are many misconceptions about preventive medicine. How do you describe your job as a preventive medicine physician to patients, friends, and family?
11. How do you handle a dispute with a colleague?
12. How do you stay current with the ongoing advancements in preventive medicine?
13. What does a day in the life of a preventive medicine resident look like?
14. Preventive medicine is a competitive residency to match. Why should we choose you over other applicants?
15. Why did you choose a career in preventive medicine?
16. How would your friends describe your personality?
17. Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.
18. What do you think the future of preventive medicine looks like?
19. After researching our curriculum, what rotation are you looking forward to, and why?
20. Who in your life has inspired you?
21. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work and school?
22. Tell us about your volunteer experience.
23. What made you choose our residency program over others?
24. Do you have at least one year's clinical training experience in another residency before applying to our preventive medicine residency program?
25. What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?
26. How do you handle stress on the job?
27. What part of medical school was the most stressful for you?
28. Are you good at working on a team?
29. Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.
30. What is your greatest weakness?

Preventive Medicine Residency Interview Questions

1. Do you have any questions about our residency program?

2. How do you deal with constructive criticism, even when delivered in a manner you do not prefer?

3. What part of the residency will be the most challenging for you?

4. What are your career goals after completing the residency program?

5. Do you have plans to pursue a preventive medicine fellowship after completing your residency?

6. How would you describe your communication skills?

7. What are three strengths you would bring to our program as a resident?

8. Name the four levels of prevention.

9. What is preventive medicine?

10. There are many misconceptions about preventive medicine. How do you describe your job as a preventive medicine physician to patients, friends, and family?

11. How do you handle a dispute with a colleague?

12. How do you stay current with the ongoing advancements in preventive medicine?

13. What does a day in the life of a preventive medicine resident look like?

14. Preventive medicine is a competitive residency to match. Why should we choose you over other applicants?

15. Why did you choose a career in preventive medicine?

16. How would your friends describe your personality?

17. Tell us something about yourself that is not found on your CV.

18. What do you think the future of preventive medicine looks like?

19. After researching our curriculum, what rotation are you looking forward to, and why?

20. Who in your life has inspired you?

21. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work and school?

22. Tell us about your volunteer experience.

23. What made you choose our residency program over others?

24. Do you have at least one year's clinical training experience in another residency before applying to our preventive medicine residency program?

25. What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?

26. How do you handle stress on the job?

27. What part of medical school was the most stressful for you?

28. Are you good at working on a team?

29. Describe a time when you had your ethics tested.

30. What is your greatest weakness?