Prepare for 43 Residency interview questions covering clinical scenarios, patient care philosophy, and program fit.
Question 16 of 43
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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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.
Questions surrounding topics such as religion and politics can be tough to navigate. This particular question will likely only come up if the institution you are interviewing with has any religious affiliation, and your interviewers want to hear that you wouldn't have an issue in this environment. If the institution you are interviewing with does not have a religious affiliation, your interviewers want to see how you navigate controversial topics.

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.
"While at work, I keep my personal opinion to myself when it comes to topics of religion and /or politics. I would not have any trouble working at a religiously affiliated hospital or medical facility, so long as the religious aspect did not interfere with my ability to care for my patients."

Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
Explain to your interviewers that you are neutral and professional when it's required of you. Before your interview, thoroughly research the institution you are interviewing with so you can be sure your values align with those of the program. Keep your answer short and to the point.
Dr. Shani Saks is a board-certified internist and cardiologist in private practice.
I would be able to work at a religious institution, if need be, since the likely goals align with mine. These include treating everyone with respect and aiming for excellent and compassionate care.
"I would feel comfortable working in a religiously affiliated hospital. I would strive to provide the best medical care wherever I did my residency."
"I would be able to care for patients at a religiously affiliated hospital. Whether religiously affiliated or not, I will strive to provide the best possible patient care to everyone."

Sara Yumeen is a Dermatology resident physician.
"I would not have any difficulty, as I feel that regardless of religious affiliation, my priority is to provide high quality care to my patients."
"I would have no problem caring for patients at a religiously affiliated hospital, so long as that affiliation did not interfere with my ability to provide appropriate medical care at my discretion as a physician."
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Anonymous Answer
No, I don't believe that I would have any trouble working in a religiously affiliated hospital. My medical school is Jewish affiliated, and although I am not Jewish, I had no issues with the affiliation because, in professional settings, I keep my personal views to myself. As long as the affiliation does not interfere with patient care, I'm all for it!

Rachelle's Feedback
Awesome response! You sound very open and have a highly professional approach.
Anonymous Answer
I do not have any trouble working in a religiously affiliated hospital. The standard of care and professionalism is the same regardless of whether the hospital is religiously affiliated or not.

Rachelle's Feedback
Good answer! Clear, and to the point.
Anonymous Answer
Being a doctor, I have no religious or ethnic boundaries. For me, every person in the world is a human first, so no religious affiliation would interfere in the care I give to my patients.

Rachelle's Feedback
Very well crafted response. Bravo!
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Written by Ryan Brunner
43 Questions & Answers • Residency

By Ryan

By Ryan