30 Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

Table of Contents

1. Behavioral Questions
2. Communication Questions
3. Direct Questions
4. Discovery Questions
5. General Questions
6. Professional Interests Questions

Behavioral

1. When you suffer a setback, how does it affect you and your work?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. When you enter a fast-paced fellowship program, these setbacks can be amplified, and your interviewers want to know how you handle stressful situations. They're hoping to hear that you have strategies in place to ensure setbacks don't impact the quality of your work or your ability to interact with patients and their families.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Describe how you coped with setbacks during residency, giving specific examples. Focus on your ability to learn from your mistakes and your commitment to staying calm and level-headed in the face of any situation you might encounter as a fellow.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing and can be disheartening, especially when it involves a patient. I understand that setbacks happen often in fellowship, just as they did in residency. I'm not ashamed of any of the setbacks I had during residency training because they helped me grow as a physician. If I experience a major setback while on your team, I will take a few moments to internally debrief and collect my thoughts, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with an attending physician. Then, I move on, recovering quickly so I can concentrate on the next case and give it my undivided attention."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Setbacks are a part of life and I feel that I have a great set of tools in place to deal with the stress associated with the setback. Specifically at work, I find it important to take a moment to reflect on what happened and give time for introspection. I have often discussed events with colleagues or my attending physicians to gain a different perspective on the situation and how I could improve my approach for the next time."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent! You acknowledge that setbacks are a normal part of life, and you're able to stop, reflect and make adjustments to prevent them from happening again.

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Anonymous Answer

"Setbacks are common. Often I found it essential to take a moment to reflect on what has happened and give time for change to happen

Example: Recently, I was observing patient rounds at ______ Hospital where there is a lack of patient-focused discussion. The goal for that week was to work on multidisciplinary rounds where bedside nurses summarize overnight observations and any concerns they may have for the day. This approach was implemented a week ago after my initial observation during my one-month rotation during my 3rd-year residency, where there is a lack of communication between healthcare providers that could lead to negative consequences to patient care.

That morning we had an intensivist from outside the hospital, but even after going through the steps during rounds, I found out they hadn’t been involving the bedside nurses. One of the resident's comments was “This is residents round not nursing”. I took a few seconds and reminded everyone that we are aiming for the best patient outcomes which includes effective communication. The intensivist backed me up and the round continued to involve nurses. Currently, I was told that culture is being built but there is always that setback, of the thing we want to achieve but it doesn’t always go as planned. For me, it is persistence and backing up your action with evidence, and I think with that the team will be able to gain perspective and they might be the ones who will be leading it next time."

Jaymie's Feedback

The interviewer is less focused on the setback in a candidate's response and more on how they respond to that setback. You did a fantastic job demonstrating your ability to reflect, address the situation, and move forward.

Anonymous Answer

"I always try to make a setback a learning opportunity. My time serving on the Morbidity/Mortality committee trained me to keep this approach. If a patient experiences an adverse event due to a decision I thought was appropriate, I try to take a minute to collect myself and acknowledge the emotions I have due to the mistake. I then remind myself this is an opportunity to learn from the mistake to become a better clinician."

Jaymie's Feedback

You accept the setback for what it is, digest the event and outcome, and you use those opportunities to learn and move forward. Excellent job!

Anonymous Answer

"When I suffer a setback, I reflect on what could have been done differently so it will be prevented in the future. I view a setback as a challenging moment that can turn into growth. Instead of allowing it to bring me down, I use it as an opportunity to learn a lesson and also teach others."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent job! Hearing that you use setbacks as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop is precisely what the interviewer would like to hear.

Anonymous Answer

"Setbacks are a natural part of working in medicine. In residency, I trained at a county institution, where delays in procedures and the inability to transfer patients for higher-level care were often prevalent. The way I deal with setbacks such as these is by assessing the situation to see how I can best optimize the patient’s care to keep them stable and advocating for my patients. I typically do not allow setbacks to affect my quality of work; rather, I use them to fuel my desire to improve. A story I can tell you about is a patient who required an urgent liver transplant due to acetaminophen toxicity. I knew that the patient was heading in the wrong direction, so I immediately initiated a transfer request for a liver transplant evaluation. The process kept on being delayed over the first 24 hours, and so I escalated the case to hospital administration while doing my best to temporize his medical issues. The patient ultimately became very sick and was intubated for airway protection; however, by advocating for my patient by sending multiple requests for transfer and speaking with several physicians at other institutions, he was able to be transferred to receive the care he needed. I hope to bring my strengths in patient advocacy to fellowship to improve the care of my patients."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! This is a very strong answer. You use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) beautifully. Also, emphasizing that you use setbacks to learn and improve is perfect. Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"Setbacks are common in my profession. I would always try to go back and analyze the situation at a slower pace. Retrospectively we think differently and try to come up with solutions and prevent in the future."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! It sounds like you don't dwell on a mistake or setback but rather learn from the experience and use it to grow and develop.

Behavioral

2. What aspects of your personality make you well-suited for fellowship?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to know about your attributes that will help you succeed as a fellow. They have already reviewed your CV, so now they want to learn more about you from a different perspective.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Before the interview, spend time making a list of your strongest attributes. Analyze that list looking for the ideas that are most connected with the type of work you'll be doing as a fellow. When you respond, make emphasize the connection between your attributes and succeeding as a fellow, and speak with passion and conviction.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I'm a very methodical person who thrives within a structure. This helps me stay organized when I have a high-case volume, and it's also proven helpful in terms of balancing work with personal responsibilities. My demeanor is also very calming, yet I am almost always optimistic, and I've found patients are very receptive to me."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My training in AJH has equipped me to be well-suited for fellowship. Academic-wise, I thrived in my clinical duties. Running the ICU as the senior-most person after the intensivist allowed me to gain knowledge, confidence, autonomy, and multitasking skills. I also worked on my procedural skills and became certified in central and arterial lines. On the non-academic aspect, I was appointed as the GME representative and social chair. Those positions required me to work in a team which allowed me to work efficiently with others towards a common goal."

Marcie's Feedback

It's great that the experience you have gained so far has made you more independent, a better multitasker, and increasingly confident. Talk more about the personality traits you have that will allow you to excel in the fellowship. Some notable qualities include being trustworthy, dependable, loyal, helpful, polite, personal, kind, self-disciplined, motivated, and compassionate. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I am a truly passionate and dedicated intensive care physician. I consider myself resilient; a trait I have developed since the beginning of my training. Since I. have previously worked in a critical care environment, I believe that one of my strongest traits is the empathy I can show for patients, their families, and the multidisciplinary team involved in their care."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are all great aspects that the interviewer will find valuable in a candidate.

Anonymous Answer

"I feel that all of the same qualities that made me well suited for residency also prepare me for fellowship. Particularly my organization skills and integrity in the intensive care unit are paramount and allowed me to succeed in these rotations during residency."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are two great examples to share.

Anonymous Answer

"I am very orderly and like to stay organized. I believe this helps me prioritize tasks, stay on task, and provide me with calming interaction with my colleagues, patients, and family. For example, I have it on my note, that for examining 14 patients, I have 4 checkboxes, one for placing orders (after rounding on the patient), two: for following up (like labs, and consultants' recommendations), Three: for ordering morning labs, Fourth: Updating families.

It also helps me balance work with personal responsibilities. I encourage sharing calendars with families and instead of worrying about one particular event, having that plan laid out daily, weekly, monthly and yearly helps me focus and avoid unnecessary stresses."

Jaymie's Feedback

Often, candidates rattle off a list of skills or qualities they possess when asked this question. You did an excellent job answering the question directly and then giving examples and context to support your skills and abilities. Great job!

Anonymous Answer

"1. I have a very easygoing personality and am approachable to anyone. I have an excellent bedside manner with my patients and their families.
2. I enjoy learning and training for something new, especially when it challenges my prior knowledge, such as a new study or treatment.
3. I also enjoy teaching what I have learned or know.
4. I am also very methodical; I stay organized with my work."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are all excellent traits and characteristics that would align well with the fellowship. Good job!

Behavioral

3. How do you cope with stress?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Stress is a part of any fellow's day-to-day professional life. You will encounter patients with unexpected diagnoses, difficult personalities, and overbearing families. The interview panel wants to know what strategies you have in place for dealing with these situations.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Avoid suggesting that you don't get stressed. Everyone does. Instead, acknowledge that stress is expected and provide an answer that reassures the interview panel that you manage stress in ways that won't have a negative impact on your practice.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"For every smooth day I had during residency, I had two that were stressful. I understand there are many situations that can cause stress in a medical setting from having to deliver a terminal diagnosis to dealing with EMR systems being down. By the end of PGY2, I learned to take things in stride. It's okay to experience stress and feel urgency--but it's important to have the ability to step back and evaluate priorities and the actual impact of a situation on the things that matter. When I do this, it's usually easy for me to think objectively, remain calm, and take a logical approach, which alleviates stress."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Stress is almost a daily occurrence just from being in residency. From managing many complex patients to delivering bad news to meeting up with deadlines. When things start to get overwhelming, I take a minute to do some mindfulness and breathing exercises. I have an app on my apple watch for that. When I do that, it makes it easy for me to think objectively, remain calm, and take a logical approach, which alleviates stress. Also, after a busy week, I like to unwind with friends or do something fun but relaxing like drawing."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you have a process in place for dealing with the inevitable stress of this profession. It's also great that you mention ways that you like to unwind outside of work. If possible, include an example of a time when you successfully handled a lot of stress. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"Critical care is a definitely stressful environment. I try my best to not let it get the best of me. Whenever I feel stressed I take a deep breath and try to see the big picture, organize my thoughts, and prioritize the patient well being."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a great start! If there are any other examples of how you decompress at work or at home, feel free to share another example or two.

Anonymous Answer

"Intensive Care is a stressful career and I make stress management a priority to ensure career longevity.

There are two types of stress in my experience. Stress at work and stress outside of work may not be work-related but has the potential to impair the clinician.

Stress at work, I generally consider a welcoming experience for growth.

IT usually relates to high workload, and challenging family and colleagues. I use this opportunity to practice prioritization, delegation, and communication. I have friends and mentors who I can debrief after work, and I sometimes write reflective journals to delineate what I could have done better. If it's cumulative, for example, a terrible week, and I feel impaired or burnt out or apathetic, I take time off work to ensure patient safety - note I've had to do this once in my training - after working long shifts in a row during the pandemic. I try to fit in as much exercise as I can during my time off.

Stress outside of work I find much more difficult to deal with. Being a trainee is stressful."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are all excellent strategies both in the workplace and in your personal time to share with the interviewer!

Anonymous Answer

"I know my training will place me in difficult situations where family members may have difficulty processing illnesses, or personalities at work may be challenging to cope with.
I remember to always be professional in speaking with families, and if I sense our conversations are either non-productive or tense, I will stop conversations to allow us to collect ourselves."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great start! Are there any other strategies or techniques you utilize in the workplace or at home to help reduce stress? Perhaps you take deep breaths, ensure you take regular breaks, or engage in hobbies and activities that allow you to recharge and refocus.

Anonymous Answer

"Physicians in the ICU care for the sickest patients in the hospital, so this is a good question. I think wellness is a very important factor to consider in fellowship and prioritizing wellness has helped me deal with stressful situations as a resident. All my life, I have been involved in athletics – swimming, cycling, running, martial arts and lifting. There is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment and sense of clarity after a workout. In residency, I would workout 5-6 times per week, even if it meant a short 20 minute jog. The next thing I do to deal with stress and prioritize wellness is to be around a strong support system. I live with my wife here in *** and have my parents and sister a short drive away. Being able to see my family consistently reminds of the strong support system I have behind me, and helps me deal with stressful times. I also really enjoy food and cooking. Something about a scorching pan frying garlic and onions just puts me in a good mood. Finally, if I am stressed while at work, I like to take a few moments to practice mindfulness meditation. This is something I teach my students to relieve testing anxiety, and it works. I believe that these coping skills will be crucial in my life as a fellow."

Marcie's Feedback

Perfect! You have described multiple ways in which you help keep stress away and alleviate it. You come across as well-rounded and mentally healthy. Excellent answer!

Behavioral

4. What's your approach to teaching residents and medical students?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Most fellowship positions include teaching responsibilities, and, having recently completed residency yourself (or nearly so), you will be in a good position to teach residents and medical students. The interview panel wants to gauge how comfortable you are teaching and learn about your approach.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Most clinical education for residents and medical students happens during patient interactions, in specialized units like ICUs or inpatient pulmonary units. Your answer should give insight into your approach to delivering patient care at the same time you're teaching. It's a great idea to cite a specific teaching example from residency. You might also want to research the "PARTNER" framework that is part of the "Fellow as Clinical Teacher (FACT)" curriculum.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"During residency, I've been fortunate to learn from expert fellows who were skilled at teaching. I paid attention to how they communicated specific points and knowledge when they chose to expand on their decisions and their follow-up questions. My goal is to emulate those fellows in my own teaching, and I will definitely seek out feedback from the residents and medical students I teach so I can improve wherever needed."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"During residency, I was fortunate to learn from expert co-residents and attendings who were skilled at teaching. One of my mentors was previously part of the core faculty and was a great teacher. I paid attention to how they communicated specific points and knowledge. I emulated them in my teaching. I like to use drawings when I teach because it incorporates the audio and visual aspect of learning. If it involved procedures, I would first demonstrate how it is done and have them practice on a kit before we carry out the actual procedure. I also seek out feedback from the residents and students I teach so I can improve wherever needed."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It sounds like you are an effective teacher who has learned from the best. Using drawings and demonstrations are both great teaching methods. Can you talk more about when and why you have taught others? Also, have you ever received any positive feedback on your teaching ability that you can mention? Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I currently work in a teaching hospital and is something I have learned to enjoy. First, I like to lead by example, I like students and residents to learn to be thorough and not to overlook important details. I also like to take every case as an opportunity to learn, during rounds I question students about the patient's disease and progress. In addition, 3 times a week we have seminars and discussions about our most relevant cases."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent! If there are other technical aspects like visual aids, oral presentations, etc., share those. Also, this question is a great one for you to be able to highlight your communication skills in your response.

Anonymous Answer

"My teaching process starts with seeking information. This is assessing the residents' comfort level, as there are different seniority residents. This involves general observation regarding resident comfort level and their intended future career. Those seeking Anaesthesia and surgery often appreciate more teaching regarding resuscitation and ventilation and procedural teaching. Those physician-minded residents often appreciate more longitudinal aspects of ICU medicine, such as the decision for tracheostomy, extubation, and management of acute liver failure, for example.

The next step is ensuring patient privacy, safety, and confidentiality. From a safety perspective, I rarely teach during ward rounds because I feel I need to be focused 100% on the workflow to ensure the best outcome for the patient. I confirm the curtains are shut. I do not let residents touch any machines beyond their skill level without supervision.

There are different methodologies for teaching, depending on context.

I adopt the see one, do one teach one approach to teaching procedural skills. I employ Socratic dialogue with positive reinforcement techniques when it comes to teaching ICU management aspects of medicine. I employ a didactic teaching method for concepts that are going to be entirely new for the resident with an old-fashioned pen and paper.

Finally, longitudinally I ask the residents to teach me the concepts and ideas I've taught them to ensure they've understood."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent! You covered many different aspects of training and education and all of these areas you covered highlight your skills and abilities.

Anonymous Answer

"Medical education is dear to my heart and something that I am constantly working on to improve.

As a resident, I have noticed physicians’ and fellows’ different teaching styles and the ones that I observed were beneficial for me are the ones that I mostly use to teach interns or medical students and during my hospitalist role.

Usually, I take the opportunity to teach with patient cases. Usually start by assessing the learners’ knowledge of the case and why decisions were made by the team. Then if a learning gap is found, I will take time to expand on it, short but also open for more discussion on other days (if the learner is interested in learning in depth). Recently I was working on improving communication between physicians and nurses in low-resource settings, you see a lot of power differences interfering with patient care.

I started with a patient scenario (Case of an ARDS patient), with worsening respiratory distress. I used the SBAR method and the ways residents respond to a call from a nurse. Assessed the resident knowledge base on the patient case, gave great feedback on how he communicated with the nursing staff and went in depth about CXR findings (as there was a knowledge deficit in the area). I ensured I had gotten feedback on my teaching style as I wanted to continue improving."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent! It sounds like you are very familiar with the various types of teaching styles and approaches and when to utilize them. You shared some great examples that really showcase your skillset and passion. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"Keeping the differences in training experience between residents and medical students in mind, I like to have them work integrally for knowledge to be built appropriately. For example, I want the medical students to lead and start the rounds, explaining their understanding of each patient's medical condition. Then, I would ask the residents about their treatment plans. Lastly, I discuss both with both groups to ensure they have an integrated picture of the medical management."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! Providing an example really makes your answer even more impactful.

Communication

5. As a fellow in our program, how would you change your communication style if a patient's family had trouble understanding what you were trying to tell them?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Fellows are often responsible for talking with patients' families and explaining their diagnoses or medication regimen. In cases where a diagnosis is unexpected or the prognosis is not favorable, it's not uncommon for patients' families to struggle to understand information. This can also be the case with undereducated patients and their families. Your interviewers pose this question in hopes of hearing that you are aware you are likely to encounter these circumstances and that you will be willing to take extra time with patients' families when needed.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Let the interview panel know you are always cognizant of your audience when discussing critical medical information. Discuss the importance of asking questions to ensure patients' families understand the information you've given them. Assure them that when patients' families don't understand your explanation, you will attempt to offer the information in a different way that considers the cause of their misunderstanding, whether it was your initial approach or their background.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"If a patient's family didn't understand something I'd explained, I would first try to determine where the breakdown in communication occurred. If necessary, I would offer a simpler explanation. As medical professionals, we are fortunate to understand and grasp the complexities of medical issues, but a majority of the general population simply does not. My goal as a fellow would be to ensure that my patients and their families understand diagnoses and care plans and that all their questions are answered thoroughly."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"A family's understanding of a patient's condition is one of my priorities. I would try to identify where the miscommunication is and rephrase my explanation in a more understandable manner, maybe using simpler language. Depending on the topic, I have found that drawings can be helpful to understand conditions and procedures. Being empathic has also proven to help communicate with patients and families."

Jaymie's Feedback

Perfect!

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Anonymous Answer

"In a multicultural society and serving a cross-section of different cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Communication can be very challenging with the overlay of grief, and distress.

The general principle to follow is, to be honest and empathetic, listen and use silence to allow the emotional impact of a statement to settle, avoiding jargon. I accept in general that many families will not like what I have to say and that I do not expect to be thanked.

An example I find was last week I looked after a Scottish gentleman who had covid exacerbation of end-stage COPD but was in late cardiogenic shock. My bedside TTE found an effusion suggestive of tamponade. He had declined all invasive treatment in ICU and declined an echo when he was well. A comprehensive assessment of capacity had been done. and the decision I came to with the consultant is to transition to palliative treatment and have the family in.

I opened the line with "I'm so sorry to meet you under these circumstances. Unfortunately, your father's condition has worsened." And this Glaswegian gentleman basically said to me "I dun understand ya, cut to the chase." So I said

"I am sorry, your father is dying. There's not much we can do to change this. We will start some medication to make sure he doesn't feel pain and suffering, but he is likely to die tonight."

And as with every other family, there was unequivocal grief, there was a little bit of denial and bargaining, but in the end, acceptance. They spent his final moments with him, said their goodbyes, and gave us their thanks."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a good example to use. Some prefer direct communication and others discover more of a "fluff" approach, so it's important to be able to accommodate different styles to relay messages and information.

Anonymous Answer

"Use simple terms used in day-to-day life (say heart attack instead of MI), and slow down when speaking that helps them process information. Use visual aids, like diagrams or models to illustrate medical concepts. Ask open-ended questions, “What questions do you have?”—active listening, showing empathy, using analogies (like the heart to a pump. Repeat and summarize (like instruction on how to take medication), avoid giving too much information that could be overwhelming focus on the most critical information first, and provide details gradually. Use a medical interpreter when needed, written materials for later referral, and encourage family(support person) to help clarify information and offer emotional support. Follow up as needed, collaborate with other healthcare teams like social workers, and make sure you are culturally sensitive as cultural differences may impact communication and healthcare decisions."

Jaymie's Feedback

Perfect! These are excellent strategies to use when finding the right approach and communication style with patients and/or their families.

Anonymous Answer

"This is something I have taken pride in learning as a hospitalist. I ask family members about their prior work/training backgrounds and develop analogies to describe medical diseases similarly (i.e., advanced heart failure and plumbing issues). Other times, I will bring an illustration to them in a straightforward method, such as ARDS as "pus, everywhere in a lung."

Jaymie's Feedback

It sounds like you utilize verbal and nonverbal strategies to help patient family members understand information. Consider also discussing having patients repeat back information to confirm understanding and allowing them to ask questions as strategies.

Communication

6. Talk about a time you successfully educated a patient on a complex topic during residency. How did you ensure the information was understood?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Patient education is an essential skill for any physician, and that is especially true of internal medicine and its sub-specialties like pulmonary critical care. If asked this question during your fellowship interview, the interview panel expects to hear that you enjoy teaching and have a knack for explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand way.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Think about a time you educated someone on a hard-to-grasp topic, and walk your interviewers through your teaching process. Keep in mind that fellows must utilize available technology in providing education and that customizing your approach to others' learning styles is important.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"A few months ago, I worked with a patient recently diagnosed with HIV. He refused to take his antiretroviral medication. Of course, I knew the consequences of not taking the ART medication could be fatal, so I spent time with the patient discussing the real-life impact of noncompliance. My approach was caring and respectful, but I didn't hesitate to talk about the fatal consequences. During the conversation, I learned that the patient was resistant because he didn't understand how the medication worked or why he had to take so much of it. I offered explanations about how the medications worked using relatable comparisons, stopping frequently to assess his understanding and see if he had questions. By the time I left, the patient agreed to stay compliant until our next visit."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Last month I had a patient with severe sepsis caused by acute choledocholithiasis, he didn't even know about the existence of the gallbladder. After some attempts trying to explain it simply, he was still confused. So I took out a piece of paper and started drawing the gallbladder, the bile duct, and the gallstones obstructing it. I even managed to dribble a Gi tract and explained the ERCP procedure. He kept the drawing to explain it to his family."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great example of using various methods to teach a patient and not giving up or becoming frustrated.

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Anonymous Answer

"Working with an AA male patient at my continuity clinic, a patient with Type 2 DM and HTN, with worsening kidney function. First visit to our clinic, he told me he hadn’t been taking his medication due to changing insurance after starting a new job. I was able to refill his medication with both insulin and two antihypertensives. Since his BP was elevated I wanted him to return to the clinic after starting his medication (no dose changed here). On returning, his BP is still elevated and has not picked up his medication. I explained the danger of uncontrolled HTN and DM on his kidney (which at that time was CKD 3-4), and he told me he was not able to pick up because of his new job. We found a way to get it delivered to his house, but I needed to be very clear on the consequences of kidney failure and possible dialysis. I explained it in simple terms and checked for his understanding as well as how to take his medication, and when to be seen emergently. By the time I left the clinic nursing reported that he had been complaining although he missed his office visit. But I noticed that patients can read right through you if you care about them and I make sure they know that I do."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a great example! It shows you genuinely care for your patients and make every effort to ensure they are well-educated about their diagnosis and treatment plan. You used effective communication and teaching tools to ensure he understood his conditions and the consequences of not following the treatment plan.

Anonymous Answer

"I had to explain to a patient's family how septic shock affected him. I described the process in simple concepts, but most importantly, I stopped to ask if they needed additional clarification or understood exactly what I meant. Then I asked them to explain the process back to me, to verify understanding."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a perfect example!

Communication

7. How would you describe your communication skills?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Patient-centered communication is vital for the fellows of any program, as is communication with other specialists, nurses, and administration. Your interviewers want to know that you can express your ideas and criticisms in a way that's well-received by their team. This is an interesting question, as your response itself will reveal if you have good communication skills.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Before your interview, think about your strengths when it comes to communicating. Come to your fellowship interviews prepared to talk about what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More importantly, reiterate why solid communication skills are vital for any physician. Address both verbal and written communication in your response.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I have versatile communication skills rooted in compassion and educating others, when appropriate. I'm also an active listener, which is a crucial component of communication. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect. As a resident, my colleagues and patients expected me to communicate information thoughtfully and empathetically, and I worked hard to refine those skills. I feel I've grown so much in my communication over the last four years, and I know my peers in the fellowship will find me easy to talk to."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Communication is key. In medicine, and in critical care.

I tend to be compassionate and show sympathy to everyone around me. I am a good listener and very receptive to input. When communicating, I try to articulate my ideas as clearly and politely as possible."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are all critical skills to possess that the interviewer will find valuable in a candidate.

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Anonymous Answer

"I think good communication skills in healthcare are essential. Our patients depend on. Whether it is during multidisciplinary rounds, or communicating with patients’ families or colleagues. I believe having worked many years in the healthcare setting has helped me improve my communication skills especially my years of working as an ICU nurse including a charge nurse. I make sure my communications are non-judgmental, and being an active listener also helps me communicate better."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your response demonstrates that you understand the importance of effective communication in healthcare. You gave specific communication skills that you possess, which will make your answer impactful. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"I can present advanced processes to patients and family members in simple terms. Many patients compliment me on how I explain concepts to them, feeling they have a better understanding afterward."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great start! Consider discussing other critical communication skills like empathy, compassion, respect, active listening, eye contact, tone, volume, etc.

Direct

8. Choose one item from your CV and elaborate on it.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The CV is a concise and direct document; it's usually impossible to tell what experiences are the most meaningful beyond the hard skills listed in bullet points. With this in mind, the interview panel wants to know which experience you find significant enough to elaborate on when given the chance. Your response will provide insight into who you are as a physician and as a person.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

The smartest decision is to choose an experience from your CV that both resonates with you and highlights strengths relevant to the fellowship you're pursuing. Your priority should be speaking passionately about the experience you choose.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"In the summer between my second and third year of medical school, I volunteered with a group called "Phil's Friends." Their aim is to provide companionship to local seniors who are isolated. Although it's a small organization, it impacts a significant number of people in my home community. I never imagined that the few months I spent volunteering there would contribute to my medical training, but I happened to be paired up with a senior who suffered from COPD. I went to her home twice a week and we did things like play checkers, watch sitcoms, and figure out her shopping list. Even though her condition affected her daily activities, she was always cheerful and excited to see me. The experience really drove home the point that patients are individuals with unique interests and needs, and I'm excited to develop relationships with the patients I'll meet as a fellow in your program."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"One item from my CV that isn't necessarily medically related but I will never forget s volunteering at Casas Por Cristo. I went to Acuna Mexico, which is a poor region in Mexico with a group of other people with the goal of building a house for a family who is homeless. The targeted time to complete that goal was two days. Initially, I thought it would be a fun activity but I was soon brought to reality when I had to do construction work in wet and cold conditions. We also had to shower and sleep in a church that did not have a good drainage system or electricity. It was tough but interacting with the family and child made it all worth it. That experience taught me kindness, discipline, and endurance."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! It's great that you helped a homeless family and their child. The interviewer will no doubt appreciate that you assisted others. What prompted you to volunteer in the first place? Also, be careful that your response doesn't sound negative ("Initially, I thought it would be a fun activity but...") Finally, how will the lessons you learned from this experience help you during the fellowship? Including some additional information will make your response even stronger. Excellent job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I am really proud of the abstract about gender equality that we presented at the International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine last October. Learning that to this date, women are still underrepresented in the medical field is very hard for me. I have happily found that Canada is conscientious and improving in this topic. Latin America however is still behind and every effort to shed light on this feels important."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a very important topic and a great choice to discuss in further detail. Well done.

Anonymous Answer

"As the Morbidity and Mortality Committee Chair, I assigned a patient case to each committee member and gave them expectations on what I hoped they would discuss during the presentation. However, I allowed them to decide how detailed they wanted to make their presentation. This is an excellent demonstration of skills I have that would make me an outstanding clinical educator."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is an excellent choice as it highlights your area of passion, skills, and abilities. Nicely done!

Discovery

9. What relevant skills did you develop during residency training that you feel will benefit you as a new fellow with our program?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Fellowship training requires you to hone and master new skills while improving some of the skills you developed as a resident. Your interviewers will want you to discuss all the clinical skills you developed during your residency training that will help you succeed in their fellowship.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Before your fellowship interviews, think about the clinical skills and soft skills (like communication) you polished during residency training. Highlight the most advanced and notable skills and elaborate on them, including how they will help you succeed as a fellow. As you answer, talk openly and honestly about the procedures, tests, and exams you learned during your residency training.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"During my internal medicine residency training, I was fortunate enough to be part of a program that directly exposed me to several uncommon diseases and many patients with comorbidities. Managing these complex cases expanded my knowledge base and helped me refine my differential diagnoses skills too. Having been exposed to such a broad range of cases means I have a solid foundation to build upon during fellowship."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I had a lot of exposure to doing bedside ultrasound during residency and had an advanced ultrasound course. I was able to use those skills and even teach residents at Adama at the bedside. Now as a chief resident, I have a portable Ultrasound that I often use at the bedside which helps me improve my skills. Also placing A-lines and central lines, I feel comfortable. I do think skills like intubation will be something that I lack and hope to learn during my international chief time as well as as a fellow at your institution (with like anesthesiology rotation)."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your response contains specific skills that will transfer well into the program. Good work!

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Anonymous Answer

"As a Hospitalist, I sought active teaching opportunities, especially during my weeks in the intensive care unit. I instructed medical students, residents, and nurse practitioner students on clinical ultrasound and discussed complex condition management.
I also worked on several quality improvement projects and understand the QI process. I hope to bring this knowledge to my fellowship training."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are excellent skills and experiences that will add value to the program!

Discovery

10. Tell me about yourself.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Interviewers often lead with this question to get a feel for your personality. They are hoping to hear about who you are "in a nutshell."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Avoid sharing your whole life story. You'll want to be cognizant of how long you spend answering this question, aiming to share some personal details without going overboard. If the interviewers have follow-up questions, they will ask!

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I'm originally from Maine where I grew up in a pretty typical household and followed what most would consider a "normal" academic path. I started riding horses when I was 8, which is a passion of mine. I actually thought I might become a veterinarian at one point before I realized I was more interested in caring for people than pets. One day I'd love to own my own horse and have a little bit of property too. I'm actually the first physician in my family, and I was lucky to have amazing support throughout medical school and residency. My sister and I are very close. In fact, if I match here, she's thinking about moving to the area. As you can imagine, my life for nearly the last decade has been largely focused on medicine, and I'm really proud of my accomplishments."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am originally from Nigeria, and I grew up there up until I was 16. By the age of 16. I moved to the U.S., Louisiana to be exact, and started College. That was my first experience with independence as I had to live on my own, register for courses, pay my bills, and do my own financing. Initially, it was hard, but I thrived and excelled. Then from there, I went to medical school in Grenada which was foreign to me but the adaptation skills I had learned prior to that came in handy. I graduated from medical school with honors and was the first physician in my family. Some of my hobbies include cooking, traveling, and spending time with family. In my free time after work, I like to exercise (lift weights) and spend time with loved ones."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! You have an interesting background that will undoubtedly impress any interviewer. Can you include some more details about what prompted your move to the US and your decision to pursue a medical degree? Otherwise, this is a strong answer that shows how independent, adaptable, motivated, and well-rounded you are. Great job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I was born and raised in Ethiopia, and after high school came to the US where I did my undergraduate in Nursing. Worked in many healthcare settings including group homes, and nursing homes but mostly in the hospital where I also did not only bedside nursing but also charge nurse, and leadership roles like TCAB and Simulation lab instructor. Did my residency and loved it but wanted to understand more about global health so currently I am a global health chief resident, in Adama, Ethiopia my global site. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. I am also heavily involved in volunteering work focused on underserved, immigrant communities and consider doing that for the rest of my life."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! Your response contains a nice mix of professional experience, education, and personal insights.

Anonymous Answer

"I am easygoing and passionate about using every day to learn something new. I am also devoted to providing the best care possible for my patients while recognizing my limitations."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are admirable qualities and traits to share with the interviewer. If this question is asked at the beginning of the interview, try to give a high-level overview of your education, experience, and background first, then you can go into your personal insights. This will make for a well-balanced answer.

View This Question and Answers

Discovery

11. What do you know about our institution?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to gauge your interest in their institution and fellowship program. They are asking this question to see how much time you've spent learning about them.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Avoid answering with generalities like, "Your institution is highly respected and well-known." Instead, spend time researching the institution and program before the interview so you can cite details and specifics that solidify your interest in the program.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I know that your institution sees a really diverse patient population, including those from the neighboring community, where there isn't specialized medical care available. I'm also impressed by the rate of grant approval over the last five years. I also read great things about your fellowship orientation program and really appreciate the efforts that go into helping fellows succeed."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Discovery

12. Have you had effective mentors in your training thus far?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Having gone through several years of residency, it's likely that you encountered both effective and ineffective mentors. The interview panel wants to know what qualities you think are important in a good mentor.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Tell the interviewers about your best mentor during residency (or medical school). Focus on describing why they were a great mentor and how they helped you grow. Do not spend time discussing an ineffective mentor you may have had, as the interview panel does not want to hear you speak negatively about another doctor.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I have had several effective mentors and feel very fortunate about that. My best mentor was Dr. Smith, an internist who was one of my attendings during PGY1 and PGY2. He was kind and patient, and never failed to notice when I needed extra support or struggled with something new. I think having an approachable mentor who is genuinely invested in my training is incredibly important."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have been fortunate to have had many mentors. My top two mentors are Dr. Madara and Dr. Patel. Dr. Madara is an intensivist and was also one of the core faculties. He encouraged me throughout my journey. He told me about his experience doing pulm crit and the options available in the field. We also worked on research together. Dr. Patel is the director of interventional pulmonology. He taught me humility, and kindness, and was always very positive. I observed many bronch cases with him and we did procedures in the ICU together. He encouraged my interest in procedures and inspired my interest in IP."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you've had mentors in your life who have encouraged and taught you. Both of your descriptions are interesting and impactful. If you plan to mentor others in the future yourself, consider mentioning this. Also, if you can connect some aspects of what you learned from your mentors with this fellowship role, do that as well. Nice job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I'm fortunate to have several effective mentors, not just during my residency but for life, as they've become friends. Among them, Dr. Anne Melzer stands out as my research mentor. She's incredibly supportive, taking the time to simplify research methods for me and always responding promptly to my emails and texts. Her dedication even extended to attending my fundraising event this summer for the Adama training project. Recognizing her limitations in my global interests, she introduced me to another exceptional mentor, Shephali Gandhi, currently in California. Shephali’s influence played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue a clinical research master's course. I'm immensely grateful for the guidance and support from all of them."

Jaymie's Feedback

These sound like amazing mentors to have! Good job describing the qualities that make them influential mentors and the impact they have had on you personally and professionally.

Anonymous Answer

"During residency and as a hospitalist, I had advisors and mentors with traits I hope to take on as a future clinical educator. Some of these mentors were excellent at explaining their clinical methodology to their patients, while others made students at different training levels feel like part of the team."

Jaymie's Feedback

It sounds like you had great role models and have identified several behaviors, qualities, and characters that will also help you be an effective mentor!

Discovery

13. Outside of medicine, what are your interests and hobbies?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Having hobbies and interests outside of your medical training is an important part of maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Your interviewers want to know that you will maintain a healthy balance during your time with them.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Tell the interviewers about the activities that interest you outside of the medical field. As you answer, discuss how these activities will be important in your life as a fellow in their program to keep you happy, healthy, and refreshed during your training. Keep in mind that this question will also allow some insight into who you are as a person and how you will mesh with the faculty and other trainees in this fellowship program. This question often leads to organic conversation and connection, so don't be afraid to share!

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I have a variety of hobbies that kept me busy outside of school hours during medical school and residency training. I currently volunteer at the local children's hospital where I read books and play games with kids who can't get out of bed. I also play in indoor and outdoor volleyball leagues and like to read fiction. One of my favorite authors is Dean Koontz! During fellowship training, staying active outside of training will be a priority so I can stay healthy in both body and mind."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have a variety of hobbies that kept me busy outside of medical school and residency training. I enjoy working out and playing soccer with my colleagues. I love to explore attractions such as museums. I also enjoy traveling, whether it is to a different state or country, and exploring other cultures. During the fellowship, staying active outside of training will be a priority so I can stay healthy in both body and mind. Exploring the website, I noticed that you have a gym for your employees. That is attractive to me not only because I can work out there but also because I’ll be able to meet other employees in the gym and get to know them on a more casual basis."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! You come across as well-rounded and active, which any interviewer will appreciate. It also sounds like you have a good work/life balance. Mentioning the gym is also a nice touch because it shows that you've done your research and are knowledgeable about everything the fellowship has to offer. Nice answer!

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Anonymous Answer

"It changes from when you are single, married, and then have kids. I enjoy going out for a walk/run with my dog and my 13-year-old daughter who loves to go outside. I also play soccer mostly with my boy who is 14 now and I even coached him for a little bit but I think I am too soft on him than his current coach. We love to travel but mostly I do my fun travel activities in the location where I do my medical missions/internal rotation. During Uganda, we went to Jinja and saw the White Nile (not the Blue Nile in Ethiopia) and did rafting which was a fun activity."

Jaymie's Feedback

These are great hobbies and interests to share with the interviewer, allowing them to get to know you better! You did a nice job keeping it brief and ideal in length.

Anonymous Answer

"-Martial arts
-scuba diving
-ballroom dancing
-cooking
-hiking"

Jaymie's Feedback

These are great areas of interest to share with the interviewer!

Discovery

14. Why did you choose to pursue fellowship training in pulmonary critical care?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your team of interviewers simply wants to know what aspects of the specialty appeal to you and why you want to focus your career path on pulmonary critical care.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Discuss why you are interested in pulmonary critical care. Perhaps it is due to certain experiences you had during residency; maybe you have a family member who suffers from COPD. Answer honestly, and feel free to add a personal touch to your answer. This will help the interviewers relate to you as an individual and make for a memorable conversation down the road as the interviewers decide which applicants to match into their fellowship program.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"Throughout my internal medicine residency, I gravitated toward the ICU and management of disorders of the lungs and upper airways. These areas of care offer a blend of challenging cases and the opportunity to foster meaningful relationships with patients, which are both aspects of care that are important to me."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My interest and inclination to go into pulmonary and critical care started while doing my ICU rotation as a medical student. The things that drew me to it were how cerebral it was, and that the intensivist had to connect his/her knowledge of core medicine, critical care, and other organ systems when managing patients. As a resident in the ICU, I further appreciated the complexity of cases and managing critically ill patients. In the ICU, I saw the most drastic change, from a patient on the brink of death to become very stable. I also enjoyed and participated in the procedural aspect of it. In addition to that, lung mechanics and physiology fascinated me."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! This is a great response because it clearly shows your passion for this area of medicine, as well as how knowledgeable you are about it. To strengthen your answer further, consider explaining why you enjoy complex patient cases, lung mechanics and physiology, and cerebral topics. Adding some additional color will make your response even more memorable to the interviewer. Excellent job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I have been interested in critical care since I was in medical school. I was fascinated by the ICU's complexity of disease processes and the required procedural skills. In residency, I was captivated by the bronchoscopy suite and the diseases treated by techniques such as cryotherapy. I hope to be a well-balanced clinical educator with advanced bronchoscopy skills."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent job!

Anonymous Answer

"My decision to pursue fellowship training in pulmonary critical care is deeply rooted in a confluence of personal experiences, professional aspirations, and a commitment to addressing healthcare disparities:
Personal Experience: Growing up with asthma, I intimately understand the challenges and fears that respiratory conditions can impose on individuals and their families. This personal experience ignited my passion for respiratory health and drove me to explore avenues where I could make a difference.
ICU Nursing: My extensive background as an ICU nurse spanning many years provided me with firsthand exposure to the critical care environment. It allowed me to witness the profound impact of critical care interventions and the critical role that pulmonary and critical care specialists play in improving patient outcomes.
Commitment to Underserved Communities: My overarching goal has always been to improve respiratory health, particularly in low-resource communities. I am deeply committed to addressing healthcare disparities by focusing on three key pillars: medication education, infrastructure enhancement, and evidence-based research.
Future Non-Profit: I aspire to establish a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing respiratory health disparities in underserved regions. This non-profit would serve as a platform for delivering medication education, improving healthcare infrastructure, and conducting evidence-based research to inform healthcare practices.
Long-Term Vision: Looking ahead, my ultimate vision is to open a clinic or hospital in Ethiopia, where I can directly apply the knowledge and skills acquired during my pulmonary critical care fellowship. This healthcare facility would serve as a beacon of hope, providing comprehensive respiratory care and critical care services to those in need.
In summary, my journey toward a fellowship in pulmonary critical care is driven by personal experiences with respiratory conditions, years of experience as an ICU nurse, and a resolute commitment to addressing healthcare disparities. My goal is to leverage this training to make a tangible impact by improving respiratory health in underserved communities, starting with education, infrastructure enhancement, and evidence-based research, and ultimately culminating in the establishment of a healthcare institution in Ethiopia."

Jaymie's Feedback

You did a great job providing a well-rounded answer explaining why you chose a fellowship training in pulmonary critical care. Just be mindful of the length of your response so you don't lose the interviewer's attention.

Discovery

15. What skills do you hope to gain through training in our fellowship program?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewers want to better understand your expectations of the training offered in their fellowship program. Your answer will help them determine if you'll be a good fit.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Research the fellowship program and the institution itself before the interview. Some online research will give you insight into the mission and values of the organization, the curriculum of the program, and what avenues past fellows have pursued after their training. Don't forget to take accountability for your growth and experiences, however. The skills you gain as a fellow are partially reliant on being proactive and seeking out opportunities.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I feel confident that my internal medicine residency program prepared me to succeed as a fellow. I gained exposure to patients from diverse cultures and backgrounds as well as myriad disease presentations. As an aspiring fellow, I'm hoping to grow as a teacher and researcher. As part of your fellowship program, I'd like to improve my skills in those areas."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"A robust comprehensive background in pulmonary and critical care knowledge.
Exposure to a wide array of procedures, such as bronchoscopies and chest tubes.
Opportunities for teaching residents and medical students"

Jaymie's Feedback

These are all great to share with the interviewer!

Discovery

16. Why did you choose a career in medicine?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to understand what drives your pursuit of a career in medicine. Your core passion and intrinsic motivation are what keep you going on the toughest days of fellowship training. The panel wants to understand how to best support and motivate you, so they need to know what drives you.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

It is okay to share a personal story when answering this question. Perhaps you can briefly discuss why you applied to medical school in the first place, then how you choose your specialty and end with how and why residency has increased your passion for medicine and pulmonary critical care specifically.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"There are several factors that inspired me to choose a career in medicine. Growing up, my mother battled cancer. In her lowest moments, I saw how her physicians encouraged and supported her. Every time we left the hospital, she was in better spirits than when we arrived. I saw what they did for her overall well-being, and as I grew older, I wanted to do the same for others. I'm also simply a caregiver by nature, so ensuring the well-being of my patients keeps me motivated even during long shifts and challenging cases."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My mother had some health issues growing up. When I was younger, I did not understand it but we were fortunate because her best friend was a doctor. I called her my Aunty. She was always very supportive, and I noticed that her presence relieved her stress and anxiety. I realized that I wanted to play that role for others. I am the first child and a caregiver by nature so ensuring the well-being of my patients keeps me motivated even during long shifts and challenging cases."

Marcie's Feedback

The personal details you include in your answer make it very meaningful and memorable. It's clear why this path was the right one for you, and your passion for helping others like your Aunty did shine through. Excellent job!

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Anonymous Answer

"I chose a career in medicine because of the incredible opportunity it provides to engage with a wide range of disease pathologies. Medicine allows me to apply critical thinking and offers a clear pathway to specialized areas like pulmonary critical care, which aligns perfectly with my aspirations. It encompasses everything I am passionate about, particularly the pulmonary/critical care aspect. What excites me most is the prospect of waking up every morning with a deep sense of purpose, knowing that I'll be working with patients and making a difference in their lives, be it through small or significant interventions. I want to maintain that drive, the feeling of being able to heal, or at least provide hope to individuals facing terminal illnesses, ensuring they have something to hold onto until the end."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a very genuine and passionate answer. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"When my mother was being treated for breast cancer, I remember her relationship with her oncologist. She was very kind and well-informed; she made sure to explain each aspect of her disease process and accounted for her anxiety and fears of dealing with the unknown.
I knew I wanted to provide similar guidance for other people when I grew up."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your passion for helping others and your motivation behind it are evident in your response!

Discovery

17. What are your career plans and goals after completing your fellowship training?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your interviewers are looking for candidates who are highly motivated to learn and grow professionally. They also want fellows who have well-defined career goals they are actively pursuing.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Put thought into how you explain your career goals as a physician, and outline how the fellowship program you are interviewing with will help you reach those goals. It is also okay to highlight several goals and say that you are still considering your options. Remember that you do not want to shut the door on any potential opportunities.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I entered medical school intending to pursue a career as a pulmonologist, and spending the last three years in an amazing internal medicine residency program confirmed that this is the right path for me. After my fellowship training, I want to practice in an academic setting where I can treat patients, educate medical students, and pursue research in clinical trials."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I entered residency with the goal of going into pulmonary and critical care medicine. The time that I have spent training at AJH confirmed that this is the right path for me. I have always had an interest in teaching. During my undergraduate, I worked as a tutor assigned to a class and also did 1:1 tutoring. After my fellowship training, I want to be in a setting where I can continue to teach; whether to medical students, residents, or fellows, alongside my clinical duties."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! You come across as ambitious and clear about what you want to achieve. It's also great that you support your assertion about having an interest in teaching with an example of some times when you've taught in the past. Good response!

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Anonymous Answer

"I aim to be a physician-scientist working collaboratively with local and international groups to mitigate healthcare disparities. I intend to do this through gaining expertise in gold standard clinical care paired alongside high-quality research training concentrating on both implementation science and community-based research. My goals include advancing medical education in regions with limited access, incorporating tele-ICU/medicine, and actively participating in research to bridge gaps in evidence-based interventions within resource-constrained settings. Additionally, I have a vision of establishing a nonprofit organization centered on respiratory health and critical care delivery to open pulmonary clinics/hospital in underserved areas, including parts of Ethiopia. A fellowship in pulmonary and critical care will be an excellent training program for me to achieve those goals. The combination of clinical excellence, research opportunities, collaboration and mentorship I achieve at your fellowship program will provide me with the tools and knowledge to make a significant impact on healthcare access and quality both locally and internationally."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! You have taken great consideration in planning your future goals to improve the lives of others.

Anonymous Answer

"I want to serve as faculty at a Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship program. I see myself teaching residents, medical students, and fellows at an institution while working on quality improvement projects/research studies and collaborating on outreach programs such as a mobile clinic."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your passion for training and mentoring others is evident throughout your responses.

Discovery

18. What do you see as your biggest area for improvement as an aspiring fellow?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your interviewers know that every candidate has areas for improvement. They want to know you are cognizant of your weaknesses and that you have a plan in place to overcome those weaknesses.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Put some thought into aspects of your practice that could use improvement so you attend the interview prepared to discuss this topic. If it is a clinical weakness, discuss why you feel it is a weakness and explain how you will improve in this area. If your weakness is a soft skill, elaborate on the steps you have taken and will continue to take to get better in this area.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I would say that my weakness is having limited experience with the hands-on procedures I know I have to learn and master as an aspiring pulmonologist. While I did get experience training in bronchoscopies and tracheostomies during residency, I'm looking forward to hands-on training in performing lung biopsies, foreign body removals, and pleurodesis."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"As an aspiring fellow, I would identify my limited experience in hands-on procedures, particularly intubation, as my most significant area for improvement. While I have had extensive practice in performing intubations on manikins as a SIM lab instructor, my clinical experience with live patients in this regard is limited. I've only conducted one intubation during a controlled setting in medical school, which was during my anesthesia rotation.
To address this limitation, I am actively taking steps to enhance my intubation skills. During my chief year, I will be spending time in the ICU, where the staff primarily consists of anesthesiologists who are well-versed in intubation procedures. This presents an excellent opportunity for me to gain experience, refine my skills, and build confidence in this critical aspect of pulmonary critical care.
I am committed to continuous learning and improvement, and I view this area as a valuable opportunity for growth as I work towards becoming a skilled and proficient fellow in pulmonary critical care."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is a good skill area to discuss with the interviewer. You did an excellent job focusing on how you plan to overcome this area of development and learn the skills necessary. Nice work!

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Anonymous Answer

"I hope to improve my confidence in my skills and clinical acumen as a physician. Even after training, I have moments where I highly doubt myself in terms of decision-making, and I hope to minimize if not remove this sense of insecurity by completing fellowship training."

Jaymie's Feedback

It sounds like you've identified an area of development and have goals in place to help you overcome this obstacle, which is precisely what the interviewer wants to hear. Good job!

Discovery

19. Why did you decide to apply to our fellowship program in particular?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

There are many fellowship program options, so your interviewers want to know why you applied to their program in particular. They are hoping to hear a genuine answer that shows you've taken the time to research their program and faculty.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Research the curriculum, the faculty, and where past fellows have gone before your interview. Pick out the features and benefits of the program you are interviewing with that appeal the most to you. Rather than talking about a simple convenience like location, give your answer some substance to show you are truly interested in joining this fellowship program. That being said, if you have family or connections in the area, it is okay to mention that too!

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I researched a lot of programs when deciding where to apply, and your program is the complete package. You have a world-class faculty that I'd be honored to train under for the next three years. For instance, Dr. Smith's research on XYZ is exciting, and I would love the opportunity to contribute to it. The other aspect of your program I found appealing is the focus on helping your fellows develop their own unique paths in research. I love that some of your past fellows have gone on to become distinguished and well-funded researchers, which is something I aspire to do during my career."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Discovery

20. What is the most important lesson you learned during residency training that will help you be a successful and accomplished fellow?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Over the last three to five years, you have grown from an inexperienced medical student into a doctor who has seen hundreds of patients. Your interviewers want to hear you talk about the most important lesson you learned during your time in residency and why this lesson is so important to your future success as a fellow.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Before your fellowship interview, spend time thinking about the important lessons you learned during residency, focusing on the ones you will carry with you for the rest of your career. Giving an unconventional example of something you learned outside of clinical competency will help you stand out from other candidates.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"The most important lesson I learned was to not let my work become routine. By the time I started PGY-2, I was used to seeing certain conditions on a daily basis, and it began to feel like I could write up assessments on these patients before I even saw them. Fortunately, one of my attending physicians warned me against being too routine with patients. Doing so makes it easy to overlook small details that could have potentially devastating effects on a patient's outcome. He taught me that no symptom should go uninvestigated, even the common ones, and I vowed to be thorough in my approach for every single patient. As an aspiring fellow, I will certainly uphold this standard of care and give every patient my utmost attention."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"During my residency, I gained a profound appreciation for the significance of teamwork. While working within multidisciplinary teams was a familiar concept from my nursing background, I truly grasped the importance of paying attention to the details of other healthcare team members. It was particularly eye-opening when I witnessed the invaluable contributions of social workers. Depending on the hospital and care team, I noticed that when there were individuals with strong skills who were well-versed in available resources, our patients received more comprehensive and thoughtfully planned care, including a smoother transition at discharge.
This experience prompted me to pay closer attention to the notes and input of social workers, as well as other healthcare professionals like physical therapists (PT), occupational therapists (OT), and many others. This heightened awareness of the entire team's roles and expertise ultimately led to safer patient transfers and more effective discharge planning. I continue to be amazed by how much I learn from each member of the healthcare team, recognizing that valuable insights can come from various perspectives, including those of nurses and even housekeepers."

Jaymie's Feedback

This is an excellent lesson to share with the interviewer. Your examples support what you've learned and highlight the value you place on teamwork and collaboration at every level of the healthcare team.

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Anonymous Answer

"The biggest lesson I learned in residency is to say "no." I often am asked to do many things, as a resident and chief resident. As such, I have learned to assess what is being asked of me critically, and think about how it would fit into my day-to-day responsibilities. One time, I was asked to become the lead resident in a physician-nursing collaboration committee. I knew that this was a big area of improvement for our hospital, but I knew I did not have the time to fully dedicate myself to this, even though it was an important cause to me. I still attend the meetings, but I had to say no to this leadership position. I do not regret this decision and feel that I am able to fulfill all of my other duties as a physician, husband, son, and brother by learning how to say "no."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It sounds like you learned a valuable lesson that still serves you today. Consider including a sentence that straightforwardly connects this lesson you learned with how you expect to perform as a fellow (i.e., how will saying no benefit you as a fellow?) Otherwise, great job!

Discovery

21. What is your most memorable patient encounter?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewers want to know more about your background than what your CV provides, so they're giving you a chance to choose a memorable patient experience and elaborate on it.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Choose an experience that highlights something you learned that will help you during the fellowship. If you discussed a patient in your personal statement, you can expand on that story during your interview.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I once cared for a patient admitted to the ICU with severe pneumonia. He was an older gentleman who, despite his illness, was exceedingly pleasant whenever I checked in on him. Although he started to improve at one point, he suffered from comorbidities that ultimately led to his death. I chose to talk about this patient because it was the first time I lost a patient, and it taught me how to deal with the emotional side of medicine. It was difficult, but I did learn to allow myself to experience my emotions without letting it impact my practice or outlook on other patients."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My most memorable patient is a patient I cared for while I was a medical student. I choose him because, despite the unfortunate ending, it was that patient that led to my desire to go into PCCM. He was a patient who had no significant medical history, mainly hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. He suffered an ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic conversion leaving him in a vegetative state. A lot of basic ICU knowledge to be attained as a medical student I did through him; ventilators, pressors, sedation, ICU procedures, and the palliative aspect of patient care. I enjoyed the complexity of patients cared for in the ICU. I also developed a good relationship with his spouse which allowed me to understand how good communication breeds trust and satisfaction."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! This is a very strong response. You paint a clear picture of the patient and how much you learned from him. Any interviewer will be both moved and impressed. Excellent.

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Anonymous Answer

"That experience in the ICU with the patient who had a progressive neuromuscular disorder was truly enlightening. Despite being DNR and initially declining intubation, he began to deteriorate, creating a difficult decision point. The family had gathered in the hope of providing comfort during his final moments. However, the patient surprised us all by starting to improve, ultimately achieving his goal of being discharged home for his grandchild's wedding.
This experience taught me a vital lesson: as physicians, we don't possess all the answers, and our role extends beyond medical expertise. It underscores the importance of patient and family education, ensuring they understand their options and can make informed decisions. It's crucial not to take these decisions personally but rather to maintain a patient-focused perspective, respecting their wishes and goals. This case exemplified the unpredictability of medicine and the resilience of the human spirit, leaving a lasting impact on how I approach patient care."

Jaymie's Feedback

Excellent job! This is a great experience to share, and it's evident you learned a lot from it.

Discovery

22. How have you contributed to this field of medicine so far?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your interviewers want to know what you've done beyond the basics of residency training. Your pursuit of fellowship training indicates that you have a vested interest in contributing to the field of medicine, so the interview panel wants to learn more about how you've acted on that thus far in your career.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Tell the interviewers about any research you've published or contributed to. You can also highlight any community outreach events you've helped with, volunteer experiences, missionary work, or anything else that goes beyond the scope of your clinical residency training.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I know it's still early in my career, but contributing to the field of medicine is important to me. In medical school, I was part of the Future Researchers group and I learned about the foundations of research, including the steps to getting published. Then, in residency, I collaborated with several peers on a research project that we're hoping to see published this year."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I know it is early in my career but contributing to the field of medicine is important to me. In residency, I have collaborated with several peers on research papers that have been published to bring light to rare or atypical case presentations. I hope to be involved in more research to further contribute to the field of medicine."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Can you go into more detail about the research papers? What topics did they cover? How will they help others? And what other specific kinds of research do you look forward to conducting in the future?

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Anonymous Answer

"My contributions to the field of medicine are multifaceted and impactful. I have significantly advanced healthcare by providing specialized respiratory care training, demonstrating unwavering commitment to global health and underserved communities, actively engaging in Quality Improvement initiatives, and actively participating in educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals. My dedication to volunteering in underserved communities and aspiration to establish a healthcare-focused non-profit organization reflects my profound passion for community health and addressing healthcare disparities. Moreover, my unique cultural diversity and international perspective enrich my contributions to medicine, making me a valuable asset to the field."

Jaymie's Feedback

Great job! You provided specific details about your experience and accomplishments that have contributed to the field of medicine.

Discovery

23. What are your plans if you do not secure a fellowship position?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to know that you are the kind of person who thinks ahead and has an alternate plan for when things don't work out as intended. This happens often in medicine, so when you share your alternate plan with the interviewers, they will feel confident about how you view the big picture.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Let the interviewers know that you have thought about your options should you not match into a fellowship position. Reassure them that fellowship is your number one goal, but that you have made alternate plans.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"While I'm extremely hopeful that I'll have the opportunity to become a fellow, I realize it's possible I won't match. With that in mind, I've been speaking with several of my mentors about clinical opportunities in the area. I also reached out to my internist back home, and he's agreed to introduce me to several local physicians who are looking to expand their practices."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am extremely hopeful that I will match into a fellowship program. But I also realize that it is possible that I won't match. With that in mind, I spoke to some of my mentors about which path will be beneficial to me and will allow me to remain a strong candidate when I reapply. My backup plan will be to find a job as a hospitalist in a hospital with an open ICU where I am the attending managing the patients under the distant supervision of an intensivist. It will allow me to maintain my clinical acumen and procedural skills."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Will you reapply if you don't get accepted the first time around? If so, you might mention this so the interviewer understands how determined you are. Otherwise, your plans to work in a hospital make perfect sense so you continue to build your skills and experience. Good response!

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Anonymous Answer

"While I'm very hopeful about securing a fellowship position, I acknowledge that it's possible I may not match. In such a scenario, my passion for global health and the work I've initiated will remain unwavering. My plan would be to complete my master's in clinical research or pursue a master's in medical science, and global health delivery (places like Harvard have this program). This choice aligns with my desire to continue working on enhancing healthcare in low-resource communities.
Ultimately, my goal remains the same: to deliver evidence-based healthcare to all, whether that's through a pulmonary/critical care fellowship or my involvement in global health initiatives. The specific path may vary, but my dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for underserved populations will remain a driving force in my career."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your positive attitude and perseverance shine in your response. Great job focusing on your goals and your plans to continue your pursuit of them.

Discovery

24. How would you deal with XYZ clinical presentation?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel may ask a question or two to gauge your clinical knowledge of specific conditions you're likely to encounter as a pulmonary critical care fellow. Your confidence in answering reassures them that you are prepared for a fellowship role.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

If you feel confident in your answer, deliver it accordingly! If you aren't sure how to answer the question, be honest about that, acknowledging that it's not an area you have experience in. Of course, you'll want to express your interest and willingness to learn about it. Not knowing the answer to a clinical question does not ruin your chances of matching with the program. The interviewers know not everyone has had experience with every disease presentation and will appreciate your honesty.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

1st Answer Example

If you're familiar with the condition:
"If a patient were admitted with XYZ, I would...." Continue your answer with the specific details of how you would manage a patient with a specific condition.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

If you're uncertain how to answer the question:
"That isn't a condition I've had many experiences with during residency, although I do want to learn more about managing it."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Discovery

25. Did you consider any other sub-specialties besides this one?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to know you're committed to pulmonary critical care, but that doesn't mean you can't tell them about other areas of interest you explored before making your decision. In fact, if you did consider other sub-specialties, you can highlight the aspects of this one that made it your final choice.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Answer this question honestly. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who specialized in allergy and immunology, and you initially considered that field too. Let the interview panel know your reasons for considering the specialties you did and why pulmonary critical care was the stand-out choice in the end.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I did consider gastroenterology near the beginning of PGY3 after meeting an attending who really sold me on the field. However, my true professional interests always drew me back toward patients with respiratory issues, and that's what I found myself reading about in my spare time. This is the field I'm most passionate about and believe I can have the most impact."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I did consider Cardiology during my internship year because the heart is another organ that fascinates me, and I met an attending who sold me on the field. However, my true professional interests always drew me back toward patients with respiratory issues, and that's what I found myself reading about in my spare time. This is the field I'm most passionate about and believe I can have the most impact."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! It's great that though you've explored other sub-specialties you've already discovered your true passion. You come across as honest, curious, and passionate, which any interviewer will appreciate. Consider talking a bit more about why respiratory issues fascinate you so much. Great response!

Discovery

26. What are your research interests?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Most fellowships include at least some amount of research, so the interview panel wants to know where your interests lie in this area. It's possible they are hoping to hear ideas that are different from current research in their department; it's also possible they are looking for someone whose research interests are aligned with current projects.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Let the interview panel know about your research interests, including any preliminary research you've done in those areas. When answering this question, it's a good idea to include that you are open to hearing about any current or upcoming research projects they think you might be interested in.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I'm most interested in studying the newest early treatment interventions for chronic respiratory failure and have been working on a literature review to build up my knowledge base. However, I'm definitely open to other areas of research and would like to hear about any current or upcoming research projects at your institution."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have always loved education. I was a tutor in secondary school, all the way to medical school. During residency, I have continued to participate in education which includes teaching medical students and residents. I am interested in projects that will further my career in medical education and discover ways to teach difficult scenarios. However, I'm definitely open to other areas of research. Jefferson has every single resource I will need to participate in any kind of research; data, faculty, mentors, and labs. Fellows also have access to multidisciplinary projects which opens up a large canvas to explore"

Marcie's Feedback

Great! You've provided a thorough explanation of the types of research that interest you and how this school will fulfill those needs. It is clear that you have researched the school, which the interviewer will appreciate. It's also good that you've reiterated what interests you the most: teaching. Nice job!

Discovery

27. What or who has been one of your biggest inspirations in life?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Part of the purpose of the interview is to get to know who you are as a person. The interview panel asks this question so they can learn more about you in this regard.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Spend time preparing an answer to this question before the interview. You wouldn't want to be put on the spot and fumble your words or give an answer that doesn't seem convincing. Whether your biggest inspiration in life is a movie, a line from a book, a family member, or an experience you had as a child, be prepared to discuss it in a meaningful, yet concise way.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"My biggest inspiration in life is my friend Ron. He was involved in an accident when we were juniors in high school, and he became paralyzed from the waist down. Everyone I knew was devastated. But Ron kept his head high, worked really hard to adapt to a new lifestyle, and smiled more than anyone else I knew. Today, he's in law school. I'm not only proud of him, but he's inspired me to push through the obstacles I've encountered, realizing that having a positive attitude is my decision and that it's always possible to adapt to the unexpected."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"This may sound cliche but my biggest inspiration has been my mother. I am who I am today because of her. My mother had a lot of difficulties in life but through her work ethic, was able to get to where she was. She taught me that hard work pays, and to be kind to others. Other things she taught me were discipline, confidence, leadership, and empathy. People say I am like my mother in a lot of ways. Growing up, I emulated a lot of the quality traits I saw in her, but I also took my path to be my person influenced by my personal experiences."

Marcie's Feedback

Your mother sounds amazing, and it's wonderful that you're so inspired by her. Can you talk more about what difficulties she has overcome or cite a specific example of a time when you witnessed her hard work and kindness result in a positive outcome? The more details, the better! Great job!

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Anonymous Answer

"One of my most significant inspirations in life is my dear friend, Charity. We met during nursing school, and her journey has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. She hails from Kenya and financed her education through sheer determination, working tirelessly at two jobs while maintaining exceptional academic performance. What truly sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to supporting her family back in Kenya, even managing a trucking business alongside her studies.
Charity aspired to become a doctor, just like me, but circumstances led her to leave the USA. However, her resilience and unyielding spirit continued to shine. The last I heard, she had not only pursued higher education but had graduated from law school in Australia.
Charity's remarkable journey has always served as a profound source of inspiration for me. As a new immigrant, her story reinforced my belief that with enough determination and dedication, there are no limits to what one can achieve. She embodies the idea that pursuing one's dreams and making a positive impact in the world is not only possible but also immensely rewarding.
Charity's relentless pursuit of her goals and her ability to overcome challenges have left an indelible mark on my life, reminding me that with perseverance, there are no boundaries to what we can accomplish."

Jaymie's Feedback

Charity sounds like an incredible person! Great job sharing the qualities and traits that make her such an inspiration!

Discovery

28. What do you know about our faculty?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewers want to ensure you're applying to their program because you're familiar with their institution and faculty. Answering knowledgeably shows the interview panel that you applied to their program for specific reasons.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Research the program's faculty before the interview so you are familiar with the faculty. When answering, make sure you pronounce names correctly and indicate that you're aware of major accomplishments and current research projects being handled by faculty. If you have a personal connection with any of the program's faculty, now is the time to mention that.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"I was really impressed with your program's faculty. Dr. Smith's research on the mechanisms involved in recovery from lung injury is intriguing, and I have spent some time reading the last few articles he published. I also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Lu at a conference last year. She was so knowledgeable about chronic respiratory failure in patients with neuromuscular disorders, which is actually what inspired my own research goals."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

General

29. Do you have any questions for me?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interview panel wants to make sure you don't leave the interview wondering about the on-call schedule, clinical and teaching expectations, or anything else vital to the fellowship position. They also hope to see that you've thought about what it would mean to join their program and have prepared a few meaningful questions.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Be sure to ask about anything related to the position that wasn't already clarified in the interview. Beyond that, prepare a few questions that are specific to the program, such as asking for clarification about community involvement or opportunities for research with specific faculty.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

Here are a few examples of good questions to ask the interview panel:

What is the daily workflow like for a fellow?
How often do fellows participate in community health events?
What is the structure of the fellow's schedule?
What type of didactic training do fellows receive?
If elective time is offered at the program, what electives do fellows typically rotate on?
How much autonomy will I have at the beginning of fellowship and as I progress through my training?

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Professional Interests

30. Are you interested in being involved in community health initiatives?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Some institutions are very involved in community health initiatives. If your interviewers ask this question, it's likely that they want to hear that you enjoy leading or helping with community outreach efforts.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

How to Answer

Share any examples of your involvement with community health initiatives during residency or medical school. If this isn't an area of interest for you, that's okay. Simply let the interviewers know you haven't had the opportunity to participate in community outreach efforts, but you're open to doing so as a fellow.

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Answer Example

"Yes, I am! During residency, I often volunteered to help at our community's free clinic during my time off. I also went on a missionary trip to Mexico to help care for underserved populations. As a fellow, I would be happy to continue supporting my community through health clinics and preventative education campaigns."

Written by Tiffany McPherson on April 13th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I am! I haven’t had the opportunity to do so as a resident however, before residency, I was always involved in community health initiatives, and it was something I enjoyed. I am open to doing so as a fellow. As a fellow, I would be happy to continue supporting my community through health clinics and preventative education campaigns."

Marcie's Feedback

What kind of community health initiatives were you previously involved in? Why are you interested in doing this in the future? And do you have a particular interest in helping underserved communities? Additional details will make your answer more memorable to the interviewer. Good job!

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Anonymous Answer

"Absolutely, I'm deeply committed to actively participating in community health initiatives. Before my residency, I played a pivotal role in initiating and sustaining an organization known as ________ which was dedicated to serving the needs of underserved and immigrant communities within Minnesota. Throughout my residency, I had the privilege of being actively engaged in a mobile health initiative, and my dedication to this cause continues to this day.
Additionally, I'm diligently working on establishing connections with East African communities through mobile health interventions to effectively reach out to underserved populations. Looking ahead, my husband and I have ambitious plans to launch a non-profit organization with a global reach, specifically targeting low-resource and underserved regions to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
As a fellow, I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing my support for the community by focusing on health education and the development of outreach programs that prioritize preventative education campaigns. I aim to make a meaningful and lasting impact on public health, particularly in underserved communities, by empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to lead healthier lives."

Jaymie's Feedback

Your passion for community support is evident in your response. Great job on such an impactful and well-written answer.