How to Answer: A dental student colleague left their computer open with sensitive information on the screen. You are the only one in the shared office. How would you address this with them?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dental School interview.
4. A dental student colleague left their computer open with sensitive information on the screen. You are the only one in the shared office. How would you address this with them?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Patient confidentiality and HIPAA regulations apply to dentistry, and leaving a computer open, even to run to the bathroom for a minute, risks a serious breach of patient confidentiality. Your team of interviewers needs to be assured that any student entering into their training program has integrity and would do the right thing in this situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 22nd, 2022
How to Answer
You should not see protected information on a patient that you are not personally taking care of. Leaving a computer wide open is a serious risk to confidentiality. Tell your interviewers that you would gently close or lock the computer so that the screen is not visible and discuss the seriousness of this when your colleague returns. No matter how you answer, make sure that your interviewers walk away from your time together knowing that you would do what is necessary to protect the PHI of any patient of their institution.
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 22nd, 2022
Answer Example
"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 the coworker was or when he or she left, I would be compelled to report it to a faculty member because someone could have accessed the information. It's a tough call and may cause some tension with my colleague, but as a dental student, I must do what is best for the patient to protect their information."
Written by Ryan Brunner on January 22nd, 2022