How would you describe the communication skills you would bring to our program as a resident?

Before your interview, think about your strengths when it comes to communicating. Come to your residency interviews prepared to talk about what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More important, make sure to reiterate why solid communication skills are vital for any resident and physician.

"My communication skills focus on education and compassion. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect, no matter the nature of the communication. As a resident, I know that my colleagues and patients will expect my communications to be well thought out to give great information and to do so with compassion."

In my medical training so far, I have always tried to explain medical terms as simply as possible, without a lot of jargon, to put the patient at ease and help them understand their medical conditions.

"One of my strengths is excellent communication. I believe empathetic listening is crucial for positive physician-patient interactions. In addition, good communication is important while working within the medical team."

"Communication is imperative to radiology. Radiologists must accurately interpret images and formulate concise reports for clinical colleagues, all while using language that is comprehensible for patients. I have excellent writing skills but also know how to formulate clear, concise ideas rather quickly."

"Communication is very important during residency, whether communicating with my patients, attendings, or peers. I do my best to approach others with an open mind, and when communicating my perspective, also take the time to hear the other person's opinions and thoughts. I like to explain my thought process to give other's a full understand, and provide the opportunity for questions so that all parties can leave feeling that we are on the same page."

"In professional or medical settings when speaking with colleagues, I try to communicate as directly and clearly as possible while not coming across as domineering. I believe that type of communication style is best for avoiding errors or misunderstandings which could lead to patient harm or mistakes in care. However, I think equally if not more important to communication is listening to the opinions or concerns of others and making sure they feel that they have been understood. Medicine is complex and there are many "right" approaches, and sometimes people make mistakes so I am always open to feedback or alternative opinions. When communicating with patients, I try to speak in clear and plain language without using medical jargon. In the Emergency Department, patients are often overwhelmed and frightened so I intentionally try to explain what is going on in a way they can understand and process."