As a new resident of our program, would you be able to handle patient care with little supervision?

"I feel confident in my ability to work with any patient without someone watching over my shoulder. With that said, I also want every interaction with a patient to be a learning opportunity for me, and I know your faculty has an excellent reputation for providing those opportunities to residents"

In your answer to this question, you need to prove your ability to work confidently with little supervision while not being overconfident. As a resident, your work with patients will be scrutinized and used as a learning opportunity, so you want to ensure that your interviewers know that you are aware of that fact. Speak with modest confidence in your ability to work with patients with little to no supervision.

"As I have undertaken increasingly more independence in my patient interactions thus far, I feel that I will be able to expand on this in my residency. However, I appreciate knowing that attending physicians will be available to guide me and ensure that I am doing the correct thing for the patient."

"I have prepared for residency by completing multiple rotations in this specialty and I am ready to start residency."

"I am confident that my medical school training has provided a solid foundation for independent patient care. At my current level of training it is important to know when to call upon my senior colleagues and attending doctors for assistance in tough situations. I always strive to do what is best for the patient and never shy away from asking for help."

"As a new resident, I think it will be important to provide high quality care to my patients and, particularly as a resident, to practice being independent in providing care so that I am most prepared for when I am an independent physician. However, I also think it is important to be aware of my limits and gaps in knowledge. I hope to use my training to provide the best possible care and will care for my patients independently to the best of my ability, while making sure to ask for help when I need it."

"While I am excited to grow into my role as a new resident, I am also acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with it with regard to patient care. I am confident that I am ready to assume the responsibilities of being a resident under the guidance of my senior residents and attendings and know that this program has a proven method for molding fully competent and independent Emergency Medicine physicians. I know that transition to full independence won't happen on day one but I'm ready to start the process and take on this new level of responsibility and autonomy."