How to Answer: If a patient was undergoing a very risky procedure, what would your communication objective be prior to the surgery?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Anesthesiologist job interview.
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