How to Answer: What is your favorite type of patient?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Psychiatrist job interview.
35. What is your favorite type of patient?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is a way for the interviewer to hear about your ideal patient and it gives you the opportunity to describe your favorite interaction. When your patients are compliant and easy-going, you have a greater ability to do your best work and help the patient on the road to recovery. However, you want the interviewer to understand you can effectively work with any type of patient, whether they are your favorite or not.
Written by Krista Wenz on August 21st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"During my training program, I found building a personal bond with each patient extremely important. Even though each person comes from a diverse background with unique experiences, any two people can find some common bond. During initial intake sessions with patients, those bonds between us helped build a trusting relationship moving forward, and this is a technique that I will use in my practice for the rest of my career."
Written by Krista Wenz on August 21st, 2023
Answer Example
"My favorite type of patient responds to my questions clearly, which helps me to know what's going on and take proper action. When they are relaxed, I can get to know them better because they feel comfortable sharing information."
Written by Krista Wenz on August 21st, 2023
Experienced Example
"During my years doing private practice, my favorite patients have been the ones that have followed up after we've had sessions together to keep me up to speed on their progress. I have kept a scrapbook of thank you cards and care letters from previous patients, and some have come to me as long as ten years down the road from when I last saw them as a patient. These symbols of gratitude hold a soft spot in my heart for sure."
Written by Krista Wenz on August 21st, 2023
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
2- As I've progressed throughout my career, I've started to realize that those who are 'compulsively compliant' may be suppressing negative emotions (such as anger towards myself) and that the work is progressing cognitively but not at the emotional level.
3- I've more recently begun to help patients access negative emotions and become better at expressing their disagreement with me."
Rachelle's Feedback