What do you foresee as being your most challenging patient type during your time in psychiatry residency training?

"I'm honestly a little fearful of patients that would have a propensity for violent behaviors. I am pretty small in stature and would struggle defending myself if I were ever in a situation where I needed to. With that said, I know that all hospitals and clinics have safety measures in place and I'm confident that your program would never place a psychiatry resident in a bad situation."

Dealing with difficult patients is an unfortunate fact of life in the mental health field. As a psychiatry resident, you will learn how to identify, understand and respond to your patients and that can make your work life safer and less stressful. Talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about what you feel will be the most challenging type of patient during your time training with them. As you answer, be sure to speak with confidence in your ability to meet this challenge head-on.