30 Situational Interview Questions for an Anesthesiologist Interview
Below is a list of our Situational Anesthesiologist interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Everyone on your PACU is busy, and you asked the nursing staff to get one of your patients a warm blanket. The patient has yet to receive a blanket 30 minutes later, and they are upset about it. Tell me how you proceed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will be looking for candidates who can have crucial conversations with staff and take charge when needed. They want to hear that you won't hesitate to talk to the appropriate staff and give direction succinctly and professionally.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
First, explain that you would put the patient at ease and work to ensure they would receive their blanket soon. Then, describe how you would approach the staff about the situation. No matter how you answer, ensure that your interviewer walks away confident in your ability to have direct and difficult conversations with all nursing and administrative staff.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would first reassure the patient that I would talk with our team to make sure the patient gets the blanket soon. If I had the time, I wouldn't hesitate to grab it myself. Upon leaving the room, I would first approach the charge nurse on duty and let them know of the situation. I would keep this conversation professional. Then, I would make sure that either one of the nurses or I talked with the patient to get them what they need."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
2. If a patient was undergoing a very risky procedure, what would your communication objective be prior to the surgery?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As an Anesthesiologist, you are often the first person a patient gets to talk to about their pending procedure and the last person the patient speaks to before they are sedated for their procedure. Your interviewer needs assurance that they'd be hiring an Anesthesiologist that prioritizes patient communication and education, even in a difficult situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Talk to your interviewer about your overall counseling and education style with patients. Your patient interaction style should be calm, informative, empathetic, and truthful, especially if a patient is about to enter a high-risk operation like major vascular surgery or liver resection.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"My objective is to ensure the patient understands the procedure they will be undergoing, the aftercare that is necessary, and that they can ask any questions along the way. My calm demeanor and smiling face can put even the most nervous or scared person at ease. If a patient was about to undergo a risky, or even life-threatening, procedure, I would take this same approach with the patient and their family."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
3. As an anesthesiologist, there is a chance that your patient will not make it out of surgery. How would you handle that situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As an Anesthesiologist, you are going to have patients pass during difficult procedures. You need to allow yourself to process the situation and learn from it. This is exactly what your interviewer will be looking to hear in your answer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about the importance of being there for the family or writing a personal note to the family. You should also discuss reviewing the case, allowing all parties to have a voice, and looking for areas of improvement.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"As an Anesthesiologist, I know very well that the unthinkable can happen at any time, and I've experienced it throughout my career. If I'm fortunate enough to join your esteemed institution, you'll learn quickly that I handle death with respect and compassion. First, I would make myself available to the grieving family members to show them my sympathy. I would be truthful in talking about what happened and answer any questions they had. Then, I would focus on my care team. If needed, I would lead discussions with the group and let everyone have a chance to talk about what happened and how to learn from the experience. In situations like this, we can all become better in our work together as a care team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
4. If you witnessed a physician peer doing or saying something inappropriate to a support staff member, how would you respond?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In modern healthcare, large institutions pride themselves on the care and respect they show others. At times in a stressful work environment, physicians can become testy with their support staff. Your interviewer may ask a question like this to hear how you would respond to a situation where you saw a colleague belittling or acting out of line with a care team member.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Ideally, your answer will be dependent on the working relationship you have with your physician peer and how out of line the situation is. If you have a close working relationship with the physician, you should let your interviewer know that you would be forthright with your colleague and call them out on their actions respectfully and tactfully. If the situation was serious, talk about how you would take the issue up the chain of command per hospital policy. This would include a conversation with the department chair or administrator.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"First, I would ensure that I saw or heard things correctly. Depending on the transgression, I would either confront my colleague discretely to resolve it or report it up the chain of command. My conversation would be direct and highlight the fact that the physician was disrespectful to a well-respected colleague. I would also encourage a personal apology. I would report it if I felt it compromised patient care, would reflect poorly on the hospital (group), or was unethical, immoral, or illegal."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
5. How would you handle a patient who was combative and verbally abusive, including spitting and forcefully removing IVs and catheters?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Being able to effectively handle angry patients is an important skill for an anesthesiologist. This skill is not usually taught in training programs. Your interviewer wants to hear that you would be focused on the safety of everyone involved in the situation and that you have the interpersonal skills to make a potentially bad situation better.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
First, explain to your interviewer that you are fully aware of the potential for a bad interaction with an angry patient at any moment. Don't hesitate to talk about a time you handled a situation like this. Discuss the importance of getting to the root cause of the patient's anger because this will help you and your team improve the situation. Be sure to talk about your communication skills that put patients at ease in stressful situations.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"If a patient was becoming combative or abusive, my first concern would be the safety of my patient and everyone within range of him or her. Knowing that patients under anesthesia can often become confused and angered, I've developed ways of communicating with them. I use a reassuring and calming voice with them. In a situation like this, my next step after guaranteeing safety would be finding the cause of the problem. Nine times out of ten, the patient is simply confused as they awaken, so I have a simple conversation with them, letting them know where they are and what has just taken place. If the patient was in pain, uncomfortable, or fearful of something else, I would immediately take action to make that situation better."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
6. If you are faced with days of long work hours and stressful case loads in our anesthesia practice, how will you stay motivated to succeed every day?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer is well aware that Anesthesiologists experience higher rates of burnout compared to other physicians. They may even be recruiting because the most recent physician was burned out in their practice. Your interviewer wants to hear that you have the tools and motivation to succeed, no matter how stressful the workload gets.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about the time management skills that you have developed throughout your training and career to prove to your interviewer that you will be able to handle the large workload in their practice. Highlight times you've successfully worked through stress. Then ensure your interviewers know you will remain positive and motivated no matter how heavy your workload gets. This question also allows you to shed some light on how you like to refresh and recharge outside of the hospital.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Through my residency training and five years of practice, I feel fortunate to have worked in busy anesthesia practices. I knew coming into this career path that the work would be laborious at times and require a large time commitment. This has helped me focus and stay motivated each day. I also have a supportive family. My wife is a stay-at-home mom, so on-call hours and evening/night shifts are easily doable for me."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
7. If you had a personality conflict with a fellow physician in our practice, how would you effectively work through that situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As you may have discovered throughout your time in residency or practice, physicians can often have bold personalities. Your interviewer may pose a question about conflict with your peers because they know it is more than likely going to happen at some point, and they want to know you can handle conflict with respect and grace.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
First, talk about your ability to collaborate with other physicians despite differing thoughts or viewpoints and explain why this is important. Then, talk about your ability to compromise when conflict arises. Don't hesitate to give examples of times you've used these tactics throughout your training and career to reiterate your ability to bring them to this team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I fully understand that any practice I join out of residency will include colleagues who have bold and brash personalities. I am all about learning together and cooperating while learning from each other's points of view. If I had a personality conflict with a fellow physician in your practice, I would be upfront in talking through our differences and use the situation as a learning opportunity. If we were unable to solve the conflict, I would be respectful of my colleague and their opinion moving forward to ensure that we work best together for our patients."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
8. If you encountered a patient that had an allergy to lidocaine or other local anesthesia, what alternative methods of sedation would you suggest?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer will use a mix of questions to understand your ability to perform the day-to-day tasks of a busy anesthesia practice. Show them that you know the various types of sedation and anesthesia that can be used on patients.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Come to your interview prepared to talk about the various forms of local anesthesia. Talk about how you would effectively determine the right form of anesthesia or sedation for this particular patient based on the procedure. Your interviewer wants to know that you can choose the right anesthesia method for the situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"The alternative method will depend on the type of procedure the patient was about to undergo. If it was a minor procedure, I would talk to the patient about the benefits of nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation. I might also consider other drugs outside of the amide group of anesthetics, like procaine or diphenhydramine. In the end, doing what is best for the patient's health and comfort would be a top priority for me."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
9. A recent patient survey comes back, and you find out that you did not meet a patient's expectations for their anesthesia care. What are the next steps you would take?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient satisfaction surveys are commonplace in any healthcare institution because quality care is the top priority of just about every organization. They are ultimately put in place to ensure that the best possible care is provided to every patient of the institution. Your interviewer poses this question to get a sense of how you will take constructive feedback from a patient's survey and what you would do to improve.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
The goal of your answer to this question is to demonstrate that you can take feedback and use it to improve the care you provide to patients. Keep in mind that most patient feedback is anonymous, and you may not be able to pinpoint the exact interaction that created the feedback from the patient.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Evaluating patient experience is vital in helping any healthcare institution provide the best care possible. I've heard so many great things that you do to provide excellent care and service to so many people. If I were fortunate enough to become your next Anesthesiologist, I wouldn't let a negative patient survey get me down. I would see it as an opportunity to improve. I would do my best to analyze the feedback to see if I could remember which patient encounter it came from. I would take time to reflect on why the patient may have given this feedback and take the necessary measures to improve."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
10. If you were in the middle of a busy day and a key piece of equipment failed, how would you handle the workload, patients, and stress moving forward until a fix was found?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Practicing Anesthesiologists work with a wide variety of medical equipment and technology, and this equipment, though very expensive and modern, can break down from time to time. Your interviewer wants to ensure that you can handle the stress of vital equipment failure in a healthy, professional, and safe manner for all involved.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
First, talk about your ability to find an alternate solution and work as part of a team in doing so. Next, talk about your ability to prioritize high-needs patients directly impacted by this equipment failure. Finally, describe your calm demeanor and ability to think critically when the chips are down in a busy OR or PACU setting.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Upon finding out that something like a laryngoscope wasn't working or an anesthesia machine went down, I would gather the team for a quick huddle to come up with workarounds for the patients. If it was a piece of equipment, we could put our heads together to find an alternate piece of equipment or borrow one from another department. If we found out that the equipment would be out of order and there were no alternatives for the day, we'd have to loop in administrative staff to reschedule any patients that would need the use of the equipment. In the end, doing what is right for the patients would be my top priority."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
11. How would you handle a member of the patient-care team who wasn't pulling their weight on the team on a busy day?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There is a good chance that you will be working with a diverse team of individuals as part of the larger care team. This could include fellow physicians, CRNA's, nursing staff, scheduling staff, administrators, and other support staff. Your interviewer will expect you to be willing and ready to take charge and be responsible for the patient care work of all staff who come in contact with your patients.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
As you answer, consider what is best for the patient in the end. Explain that you would have an immediate conversation with the employee and bring it to the attention of their leader. If the person was having an off day, talk about how your ability to build a good rapport with your entire care team would enable you to have a professional, caring, and frank conversation with any member of your care team in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I pride myself on my ability to build respect and trust with the staff I work with. This includes the administrative leaders, CRNA's, RN's, and support staff. This trust and respect would enable me to have a clear and respectful conversation with any staff member that I thought wasn't pulling their weight. I would end my conversation on a positive note by telling them that I believe in them. If the situation put the health of a patient at risk, I wouldn't hesitate to escalate that to the direct supervisor of the employee immediately."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
12. You are caring for a three-year-old patient and ordering a weight-based medication. When you look at the patient's records, you find the weight was documented in pounds by the nursing staff. Explain how you proceed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some anesthesia drugs are weight-based, which means the dosage depends on the patient's weight. However, for most of these medications, the dosing guidance is listed in kilograms and not pounds. Because of this difference in weight units, medication dosing errors in patients is a known issue. The interview team asks this question to determine if you are aware of the common issues regarding weight and medication dosing errors and how you would respond in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer that you would convert the patient's weight to kilograms to determine the correct dosage of the medication for the child. Doing what is necessary at the moment will be a quality your interviewers will be looking for. Don't hesitate to talk about your familiarity with the standard patient weight being in kilograms for safety purposes.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"If the child's weight was documented in pounds and I had to administer a weight-based drug, the first thing I would do is convert the weight to kilograms by dividing the weight in pounds by 2.205. This would allow me to determine the correct dosage of medication. I wouldn't hesitate to have a conversation with the nurse that was responsible for documenting the weight in pounds. I'm sure that it was a simple mistake, but a missed weight could have dire consequences."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
13. Let's say you are caring for a patient in our PACU whose respiratory function has taken a turn for the worse. Tell me how you would proceed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You will be expected to lead your care team in emergencies in the PACU. Your interviewer simply needs to hear that you take the proper steps when a patient's respiratory function is slowing post-surgery.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
To effectively answer this question, explain that you would collect all pertinent information on the patient, including respiratory rate O2 saturation for hypoxemia and other respiratory signs, and then make a medical determination. Depending on the situation and your assessment, this can and should include an ABG analysis, supplemental oxygen, or ventilatory support if needed.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"In a situation like this, I understand that it is important to gather as much information about the patient and the patient's current situation before proceeding with any additional respiratory treatment. I always consider oxygen levels following a major procedure. I would have the nurses continue to monitor all vitals and the number of breaths per minute. The next steps depend on how the patient responds. Simply supplementing oxygen often helps the lungs improve following a long surgery. However, there are some situations in which a ventilator may be needed."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
14. You just finished preparing IV medications for a patient with the nursing staff, and you thoroughly washed your hands before doing so. As you enter the patient's room with the medication, describe the first thing you do to prevent patient infection.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While in surgical care, patients are at significant risk of picking up an infection. Although infection prevention measures in the healthcare industry have greatly improved over the years, the risk still exists, and healthcare professionals must be vigilant to prevent infections. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of handwashing upon entering a patient's room and/or before administering any sort of medication.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Although it may seem obvious, the simple task of handwashing is the first step in infection prevention. Explain that the first step you would take to prevent infection would be to wash your hands thoroughly. Talk about any formal infection prevention training you received. Reiterate that you always take the necessary measures to keep patients safe. Be sure to point out the importance of using PPE and safely managing all care equipment.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"The first thing I would do to prevent infection is to wash my hands. There are other actions I would need to take in preventing infection, but handwashing is primary. During my Anesthesiology residency training, I was trained in the CDC's 'Project Firstline' program on infection control in the healthcare setting. This training taught me to take the appropriate measures, and in a situation like this, I would use PPE if needed as well. I understand I will be working with patients that require me to gown up before surgery, and I wouldn't hesitate to do so."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
15. You are preparing for a simple procedure, and you ask the nurse to retrieve the mepivacaine that will be used on the patient. What do you do upon receiving it from the nurse?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that you would verify that you received the correct drug and that this verification is part of your normal routine. This confirmation is important, as the nurse may have accidentally retrieved the incorrect bottle. If the incorrect chemical was used on the patient, significant consequences could occur.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Explain that you would verify that you have the mepivacaine by checking the label on the vial. To ensure that your interviewer understands that you are aware of the importance of this simple action, reiterate that you always double-check the medication before you administer it.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Upon receiving the acetic acid, I would read details on the label to verify that I am using that and that only. If I should ever receive the wrong medication, I would instantly let the staff know and work to prevent any future errors."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
16. If you are called to a code blue situation at our hospital, what would your initial steps be as the Anesthesiologist?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Large hospitals take the time to train and designate 'code blue' teams to aid with cardiac/respiratory arrest or other medical emergencies. An Anesthesiologist often takes a vital role on this team, and your interviewer wants to hear that you have some familiarity with responding to a code blue situation and know what your role would be in doing so.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Before your interview, it is important to know that an Anesthesiologist's primary roles in a code blue are airway management and possible line placement. Some key points to mention are your rapid response, communication/teamwork skills, and ability to quickly diagnose a situation and take action.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"My first action would be to get to the situation quickly. Whether the code was called to the ER, ICU, or hospital floor, swift action is needed by the entire team. If necessary, I would have nearby colleagues jump in for me. Upon arriving at the code, I would immediately talk with anyone on the scene already to see what needed to be done for the patient's airway. At times, quick intubation is necessary, and that would be my primary role during a code blue call. As we work to stabilize the patient, I would stay in constant communication with the team leader and others."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
17. How would you handle a patient who requests more pain medication, even though they've received enough per your best judgement?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewers ask this question for two reasons - first, to ensure that any Anesthesiologist they bring aboard will not give the patient a dose of pain medication before it is due, and second, to see if you will attempt to lower the patient's pain using other methods. Medication must be administered as directed by a physician to avoid patient overdose or other negative side effects.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
To effectively answer this question, explain that you would avoid giving more than the recommended dose to the patient and instead would use alternative methods to reduce the patient's pain. Talk about how you would inform the patient that more medication could not be administered for their safety and how you would work as a team with nursing support staff to ensure that the patient was as pain-free as possible.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Unfortunately, this is a rather common occurrence for patients coming out of a major surgical procedure. In this situation, I would not approve of administering more pain medication. I would let the patient know that it was for their safety and well-being. I would work with the nurses on duty to see what could be done to make them comfortable in the meantime."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
18. You are nearing the end of your shift, and you are exhausted from a busy shift for the anesthesia care team. As your colleague arrives to relieve you, tell me how you proceed.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer asks this question to determine if you understand the importance of completing shift handoffs as an Anesthesiologist. A true perioperative anesthesia practice involves frequent transitions of patients between preop, operation, and postop care, and your interviewer needs to know that you go the extra mile in effective patient handoffs at the end of a shift.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Explain that you would ensure handoff information for all patients was completed before departing for the day. If you have direct experience in the proper handoff during shift changes, whether it be during your residency training or while in practice as an Anesthesiologist, be sure to talk about that. Make sure your interviewer knows that you understand the importance of properly handing off work during shift changes.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Patient safety often fails first because of shift handoffs, so I strive for efficient and effective shift handoffs. In this situation, despite my exhaustion, I would complete all required handover templates for all my patients if I hadn't already. I would also take the extra time to verbally communicate any known issues in the unit to the physicians coming on and the nursing staff. If there are huddles at shift change time, I would prioritize being present at both the start and ends of my shift each day."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
19. You are alone in a break room with two other physicians who are talking about a patient and confidential health information. How would you respond?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer needs to know that any physician they bring to their organization will abide by all HIPAA laws and keep the protected health information of their patients confidential. Your interviewers will expect you to distinguish PHI from the patient care learning opportunities that every physician has during their career.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
First and foremost, talk about the importance of keeping private patient information confidential and explain how you would squash the conversation immediately if your fellow physician colleagues were disobeying HIPAA laws. Then, make sure to leave the door open to discussions of situations that can be learning opportunities between yourself and your colleagues as long as protected health information isn't shared.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel strongly about protecting patient rights, and I would be very uncomfortable in this situation. I would feel compelled to address it immediately and say that I don't feel comfortable with the conversation and ask them to stop. I realize that I will be discussing situations with my colleagues during learning opportunities. If private information wasn't shared in this situation, and the discussion was educational, I would jump right in to learn or teach."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
20. At times, you may work with difficult and uncooperative colleagues and team members. How would you handle an uncooperative colleague in an important situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
A busy anesthesia practice can come with some challenging moments and stressful situations. People get cranky, equipment breaks, and families are needy. The interviewer poses this question to ensure you can handle these situations professionally and respectfully.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Explain that your goal is to provide excellent patient care and that this must take precedence over bad days and bad moods. The interviewer will be looking to hire an Anesthesiologist who can weather the storm, hold their own, and get the job done without adding stress or chaos to the situation. Talk about your ability to be professional and respectful while talking with the uncooperative colleague, and, if possible, don't hesitate to talk about a time you successfully handled a situation with an uncooperative colleague.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I realize that a busy anesthesia practice can be stressful. I've worked in similar situations during my time in residency. If I were working with a nurse or physician colleague who was uncooperative, I would have a one on one conversation with them to reset expectations. If patient care were involved in the lack of cooperation, I would kindly explain why cooperation was important in the situation. If there was resistance, and the colleague still wouldn't cooperate, I would ask them to step away from the situation, and I would seek other help if needed."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
21. What would you do to change your communication style if a patient, or their family, had trouble understanding what you were trying to tell them?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient care staff instruct patients on difficult concepts and challenging instructions regularly. Anesthesia care is often confusing for patients, so patient education is especially important in your field. Your interviewer wants to hear that you value and prioritize patient education and that you have the communication skills necessary to do so.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Talk about how you would ensure that your audience fully understands what you are telling them and how you would adjust the conversation based on the audience. Then, discuss how poor comprehension results in decreased patient outcomes, increased financial ramifications for patients and the healthcare system, and decreased patient satisfaction.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"If a patient and their family didn't understand me, I would explain things in a much simpler manner for them and ask questions so I could effectively gauge their comprehension. We are very fortunate as medical professionals to understand and grasp the complexities of medical issues, but a majority of the general population simply does not. My goal as an Anesthesiologist is to ensure that my patients understand their upcoming procedures and my part in that process."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
22. How would you handle a situation in which you had an ethical or philosophical difference with a patient?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a practicing Anesthesiologist, you will treat patients from many different cultural backgrounds and walks of life. Your interviewer wants to know that you can effectively work with any of their patients.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Explain to your interviewers that you will take a fair and balanced approach with any patient you work with as an Anesthesiologist. Point out that you can never know the entire story of a patient and that you are there to serve, help, and protect patients rather than judge them. Emphasize the value you put on diversity in the workplace.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Throughout my life, I've valued diversity and inclusion, and this rings true with the patients that I treat. If I treated a patient with different beliefs, I would listen to the patient so I could hear where they are coming from and why they feel the way they do. If a cultural difference made the patient hesitant about a particular treatment, I would do my best to educate them sensitively and offer alternatives that would work with their values and beliefs. In the end, I would strive to do what is best for the patient in a manner that works the best for them."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
23. How would you handle someone asking you for medical advice or diagnosis validation outside the workplace?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This can be a difficult challenge for physicians in any specialty who have gained a lot of medical knowledge throughout their training and career. While it's easy and ego-boosting to become the 'expert,' it can backfire. Ideally, your interviewer wants to hear that you would recommend your friends or acquaintances to see their physician for any medical matters and that you would be diligent in assisting with any emergencies.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Tell your interviewers that, while you may give a quick opinion to a family member or friend, you would always recommend they see their physician for any matters that may be serious. Reiterate that you know that we live in a very litigious society and that you aren't willing to jeopardize your license (or reputation) by giving quick medical advice. Point out the importance of telling others to seek immediate attention at an ER if needed.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"First, I would do my best to gauge if it was a serious condition, and if it was, I would recommend the go to urgent care or the ER as soon as possible. If the question is not serious, I may give them a quick opinion and recommend they see their primary care physician for further diagnosis."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
24. How would you handle a difficult family member who disagrees with the care that the patient agreed to?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient families can often be the most challenging to physicians, as they do not always agree with the patient's decision. While it is rarer for an Anesthesiologist to run into any issues with the families of patients because they aren't often allowed in the OR or surgical prep areas, your interviewer still wants to see how you would react in this situation. Your interviewer wants to hear that you are a patient advocate and respectful communicator.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
As long as the patient can make their own decisions, the best way to deal with these situations is to tell the family that they need to talk with the patient. You also should not talk about the patient's condition when they are not present. In your answer, talk about how you will rely on your ability to educate the family and loved ones of your patients and why doing so is best for their care.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would acknowledge that I understand they want the best for their family member. Then, I would explain that I cannot discuss the patient's care with them and that the patient has the right to make their own decision. I would encourage them to discuss their concerns with the patient directly and perhaps ask for a meeting with the care team so their concerns could be addressed. Throughout my career, I've most experienced upset family members in the PACU following surgery. In these situations, I take the time to talk with the family and educate them further on general medical process so they have a better understanding."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
25. Describe a situation in which it may be appropriate to use humor in the workplace as an Anesthesiologist.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Caring for patients is typically not funny business, and someone coming in cracking jokes under dire circumstances may find their humor rejected. There is a time for humor in healthcare, but it must be mindful. Your interviewer wants to know that you would join their team with a bit of professional fun to you while ensuring that you do so in a tactful manner.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
If humor is used in the workplace, it should be mild and universal. It's a good policy to be kind, tolerant, professional, and compassionate with your patients. Laugh at a child's joke, if appropriate, and acknowledge a patient's attempt to be cheerful, but follow rather than lead. Some people poke fun at themselves, but sometimes it's a self-esteem issue, so it's best to avoid playing along.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I'm a firm believer in using humor to sustain a team in trying times. I would make room for a smile and a laugh with a patient to brighten their day, but this must always be done with tact and good judgment. I also feel that humor should be encouraged among the team in any medical practice to get through stressful times. If I were fortunate enough to join your institution, I would look forward to building great relationships that would last the rest of my career."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
26. How would you handle a colleague rejecting an idea you pitched?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It's difficult for anyone to be rejected in any way. Your interviewer knows that you would be joining a team of robust physicians in their organization. They want to hear that you would take a potentially negative situation like this and turn it into a positive experience that helps you grow and learn.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
In a situation like this, it is important to get feedback from your colleague and learn why your idea wasn't accepted. Talk to your interviewer about your ability to process this feedback, and explain how you would use that feedback to move forward.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I would feel a bit disappointed, given my experience in anesthesia care, but I would ask for feedback on my idea and be grateful for the feedback. Working closely with different teams of surgeons and other physicians takes a true team effort that is built on trust and respect. I wouldn't let a situation like this hurt my pride or confidence in my work but would rather use it as a learning tool."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
27. How would you react to an emotionally difficult or challenging patient situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Things happen in patient care situations, and things can go awry quickly. Your interviewer knows that it's important to reflect as an individual or a team to learn how to be better.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
It's human nature to rationalize or justify and not face difficult emotions after a bad situation, but this reflection is extremely important. Talk to your interviewer about the importance of analyzing a situation and reflecting upon it to improve. If you have an example of a time you did this during your career or training, don't hesitate to talk about it with your interviewer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"Taking time to sit back at the end of each day and reflect is extremely important to learn and grow. This reflection includes conversations with my colleagues so we can learn together from our experiences. In a very challenging situation, I think it is vital to distance myself from my emotions and review things logically later on. When faced with a challenging situation, I first ask how I could've handled the situation better. Then, I ask myself how I will handle a similar situation in the future so I am mentally prepared for it."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
28. A colleague left their computer open with our EMR and sensitive information on the screen, and you are the only one in the shared office at the time. How would you address this with them?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient confidentiality must be honored, and leaving a computer open, even to run to the bathroom for a minute, risks a serious breach of patient confidentiality and HIPAA. Your interviewer wants to know that any Anesthesiologist they hire will have a high degree of integrity and do the right thing in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Leaving a computer wide open is a serious risk to confidentiality. In this situation, you could gently close or lock the computer so that the screen is not visible or discuss the seriousness of this with your colleague when they return. No matter how you answer, make sure that your interviewers walk away from your time together knowing you would do what is necessary to protect the PHI of any patient of their institution.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I take HIPAA compliance seriously and have attended training on patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance. In this situation, I would immediately close or lock the computer, and I would not look at the information on the screen. If I wasn't sure where my colleague was or when he or she left, I would report it to an administrator because someone could have accessed the information. It's a tough call and may cause some colleague tension, but as a physician with integrity, I must do what is best for the patient and keep their protected health information confidential."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
29. If you had too many patient priorities at once, how would you decide which to do first, and how would you seek assistance?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At times, the amount of work in an anesthesia practice can be overwhelming due to high surgical patient volumes. Your interviewer wants to know that you would join their practice with the tools necessary to prioritize your work. Demonstrate that you will be able to handle anything thrown your way if hired.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Taking the time to organize your day by doing the most important patient tasks first frees up time later. Sometimes, it is helpful to delegate to others, but it's never acceptable to allow a patient-care-related task to go undone because there wasn't time. Talk about your ability to be efficient in your tasks and your charting. Finally, let your interviewers know that you would always prioritize the most critical patient items before moving on to other tasks.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel fortunate to have worked in a very high-paced setting over the last six years following my residency training. In my current practice, I learned how to handle busy situations with ease by prioritizing the high-needs patients first, moving on to other patients, and leading a team effort to ensure that everything gets handled in a shift. As your next Anesthesiologist, I would take this same approach to prioritize a large patient load. I intend to build a strong rapport with support staff and know their limits, so we could help each other when times get tough."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
30. What steps would you take if you suspected a patient was being subjected to physical abuse in their home?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are designated as mandatory reporters of child abuse and domestic abuse in most states. Working as an Anesthesiologist in emergency and surgical environments may put you face to face with a victim of abuse. Your interviewer wants to know that you are aware of the mandatory reporter laws in the state that you are interviewing in and that you know the telltale signs of abuse.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
How to Answer
Before your interview, do some quick research on the mandatory reporting laws in the state you are interviewing. That will enable you to speak confidently with your interviewer. Then, walk through the steps you would take as a mandatory reporter. Keep in mind that many large healthcare institutions have procedures/guidelines in place for these situations, so you should be mindful of this as you answer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022
Answer Example
"As an Anesthesiologist in Florida, I understand that I would be a mandated reporter for child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, and sexual battery. First, I would ensure that my suspicions were confidentially confirmed by another member of my care team. Then, once we confirmed the suspected abuse, I would walk through any institutional procedures to ensure a report was filed with the state DCF promptly."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 1st, 2022