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Residency Mock Interview

43 Residency Interview Questions and Answer Examples to Help You Prepare for Your Residency Interviews.

Residency was updated by on December 31st, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 16 of 43

What do you believe is the greatest challenge our specialty will face in the next few years?

"There are numerous challenges I believe I will face as a family physician in the coming years. For instance, the new policy surrounding MACRA for healthcare payments, changes in the way physicians certify their sub-specialties through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and the maintenance of certification (MOC) process. But I know that all family physicians are facing the same challenges, so I will not feel alone in that."

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How to Answer: What do you believe is the greatest challenge our specialty will face in the next few years?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Residency job interview.

  • 16. What do you believe is the greatest challenge our specialty will face in the next few years?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      Your interviewers want to know that you have done your homework on the specialty that you are interviewing for and have the wherewithal to forecast the challenges that the field is facing. They also want to see that you understand that being a Physician will come with great challenges, both now and in the future.

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      How to Answer

      Before your residency interviews, be sure to study and read up as much as possible about the challenges your field will face. Discuss the challenges you foresee and speak about how you plan to succeed despite these challenges.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on February 12th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "There are numerous challenges I believe I will face as a family physician in the coming years. For instance, the new policy surrounding MACRA for healthcare payments, changes in the way physicians certify their sub-specialties through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and the maintenance of certification (MOC) process. But I know that all family physicians are facing the same challenges, so I will not feel alone in that."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Internal Medicine Example

      Internal medicine does face and will continue to face challenges. These include declining reimbursements and more paperwork and documentation requirements for patient care. It is easy to be frustrated by this, but I will try to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to do what's best for the patient.

      Written by Dr. Shani Saks on November 4th, 2022

      Family Medicine Example

      "One of the greatest challenges our specialty will face is continuing to provide patient centered care in the era of large medical systems. In the past, patients often saw their family doctor for many years and personally knew them. Now with so many large medical systems it has become challenging to build trust and have good continuity of care with patients."

      Written by Dr. Griswold on November 5th, 2022

      Radiology Example

      "The greatest challenge we will face is the ever-rising cost of healthcare. It is tough to integrate cutting-edge science with superior and compassionate care, especially in a cost-effective manner."

      Written by Dr. Rodman on February 1st, 2023

      Dermatology Example

      "I feel that the greatest challenge dermatology is facing in the next few years is access to life-changing medications for patients. Newly discovered biologic medications can be life-changing for patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. However, these medications are expensive, and obtaining insurance coverage for them can be difficult. I feel that improving access to these medications for patients is one of the greatest challenges for the field of dermatology."

      Written by Dr. Yumeen on December 19th, 2022

      Emergency Medicine Example

      "In Emergency Medicine, I think some of the biggest risks are already making themselves clear. As the safety net of the healthcare system, overcrowded Emergency Departments worsened by ED boarding is and will continue to be a major obstacle to providing timely and high-quality care in the ED. Additionally, the growing role of Private Equity firms dictating clinical practice is a major threat not only to patient care but also to physician autonomy in the clinical setting."

      Written by Dr. Smith on December 31st, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "There is increasing emphasis on proper documentation for insurance companies and billing codes. This takes away from the main goal of spending more time on patient care and more on documentation."

      Jaymie's Feedback

      Your response effectively identifies one of the significant challenges in healthcare! While you've mentioned the challenge, it would be more compelling if you could provide specific examples or statistics to highlight the extent of the problem. This could add depth to your response. After identifying the challenge, consider offering potential solutions or strategies that could address this issue. Demonstrating problem-solving skills and an understanding of how to mitigate challenges is valuable in a residency interview. You could also briefly mention how you are prepared to handle such challenges or adapt to evolving healthcare regulations. Overall, your response touches on an important challenge in healthcare, but you could make it more compelling by adding specificity, suggesting solutions, and showing your readiness to face such challenges.
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