Residency Mock Interview
Prepare for 43 Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care philosophy, and program fit.
Question 28 of 43
How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. When you enter a fast-paced residency program, these setbacks can certainly be amplified, and your interviewers want to know you will handle any situation with ease if you are accepted into their program.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing and can be disheartening, especially when it involves a patient. I understand that setbacks happen often in residency. If I experience a major setback while on your team, I will take a few moments to internally debrief, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with a mentor. Then, I move on. I need to recover quickly so I can concentrate on the next case."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Describe how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace. As you answer, focus on your ability to learn from your mistakes and stay calm, cool, and collected in the face of any situation you would be handling as their next resident.
Dr. Shani Saks is a board-certified internist and cardiologist in private practice.
Having a setback or an unanticipated event happen is always challenging. While it is easy to get upset or frustrated, I try to look at things objectively, reframe the situation, and do what is necessary to correct or improve the situation. Additionally, seeking advice from other team members or trainers is also helpful. Taking a break to get fresh air or have a snack gives me a mental break and allows me to return to the situation with a fresh perspective. Taking a walk or exercising is also a good way to relieve stress and renew my energy level.
"Suffering a setback can be challenging. When suffering a setback, I try to look at it as an opportunity. With each setback, I try to learn something from the experience and move on."
"Setbacks are usually unexpected and often challenging to navigate. I think emotional reactions to them are natural, but I try not to let them impact my clinical work or patient care. Optimistically, setbacks can be viewed as a platform for introspection and personal growth."
Sara Yumeen is a Dermatology resident physician.
"Setbacks are common, and I view them as an opportunity to learn and improve. While setbacks may be disheartening initially, I take a moment to regroup and remind myself that setbacks are normal whenever we try to get tasks done. I then take a critical look at what went wrong and how I can work on this to prevent such setbacks in the future."
"I think part of doing meaningful work is facing challenges. This can sometimes come in the form of setbacks, but I try to remember that setbacks are part of every process and that they allow us to learn from our mistakes or missteps and think more creatively about whatever challenge we face."
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Anonymous Answer
I understand setbacks are almost inevitable. Even people that have years of expertise and experience might still experience some setbacks. If that happens, I would calm down first, because panicking has never been shown to help, pray (because God is really important to me), and I would also seek advice from a mentor or someone in a position to advise me.
Kevin's Feedback
Your response offers a general perspective on your approach, but no applicable techniques that you've put to the test. You say you would first calm down, but how would you go about calming down? What if praying wasn't enough to calm down? If you were working in a high stressed, fast-paced environment, how often would you be praying to calm yourself down, and how effective would that be? You mention you would consult a mentor, but what if they were not available, or there was not the luxury of time to reach out to them?
I’ve faced some setbacks during some high stressed times. At those times, I decide to move fast and act fast. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches and just keep moving forward. So, if I can afford a few minutes, I’ll take a three-minute break and listen to this song that instantly boosts my mood. I’d then watch this video my mom sent me years ago where she gave me a pep talk telling me I could do anything. Then I’d get back to work. As soon as there was some downtime, I’d examine what led to that setback and take what I could to learn from the experience.
Anonymous Answer
Although setbacks are disappointing, I believe every setback can teach me something, and I try to make it a step toward a positive change and move on because I know that I need to save my energy and positive attitude to be able to reach that goal and provide excellent care for my patients.
Rachelle's Feedback
You are right - it's essential to save energy and keep a positive attitude. It's for the good of you and your patients :) Do you have an example of a time when you suffered a setback but recovered by using the situation as a learning opportunity? If so, this question presents an excellent storytelling opportunity.
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