30 Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Surgical Critical Care Fellowship 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.
Table of Contents
- 1. Ask The Interviewer Questions
- 2. Behavioral Questions
- 3. Career Goals Questions
- 4. Communication Questions
- 5. Compatibility Questions
- 6. Conflict Questions
- 7. Direct Questions
- 8. Discovery Questions
- 9. Education Questions
- 10. Experience Questions
- 11. Leadership Questions
- 12. Role-Specific Questions
- 13. Situational Questions
- 14. Stress Questions
- 15. Teamwork Questions
Ask The Interviewer
1. What questions do you have about our surgical critical care fellowship program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During your surgical critical care fellowship interview, you will meet with several individuals from the program. This will include faculty, the program director, administrators, and current trainees with the program. While you will be getting a lot of firsthand knowledge of the program's curriculum, the campus, and the culture, your interviewing team wants to be assured that you walk away from your interview with all your questions answered.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
This is an open-ended question, but you must be prepared to ask your burning questions about the program. Before your interview, it's a great idea to sit down and write down a list of things you are curious about from your research. It's okay to pull your notes out during your interview and check off the questions that get answered. Great questions to ask include asking where your rotations take place, the types of patients served, and the overall team environment. Show a keen interest in the program through the questions you ask.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Answer Example
"This has been such a great experience today getting to meet with all the staff here, and I've learned so much. I have two remaining questions that haven't been answered yet. First, where have your recent graduates found success in practice following training here? I'm very interested in an academic practice following surgical critical care fellowship training. I would love to learn more about the weekly educational schedule and what is discussed in the journal club. Can you elaborate on that?"
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Behavioral
2. How did you handle constructive criticism during your residency training?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During the short time you will be training as a surgical critical care fellow, it should be abundantly clear that your work will be scrutinized to the highest degree by the faculty of the program you join. Your interviewers want to know that you can take any constructive criticism you receive and turn it into a positive learning opportunity.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
As you answer this question, discuss a time that does not highlight a significant or persistent deficit in your ability to provide care. How you handled this criticism should show your devotion to providing optimal care and your willingness to use the critique to shape how you approach patient care moving forward. Don't hesitate to reiterate to your interviewers that you would join their surgical critical care fellowship program, ready to accept any constructive criticism that would come your way.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"From the first days in my anesthesiology residency training, I was open to using my experiences to learn from others. Where others could get defensive to criticism of their work, I used the opportunity to learn and grow and continue to do so today. As a new surgical critical care fellow, I know I will be exposed to a new environment. While I'm confident I can bring a new perspective with my background and help to educate others, I also know that I will need to learn new ways to care for patients in the ICU setting and will always welcome constructive criticism from your team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Career Goals
3. What career goals do you hope to achieve by pursing a surgical critical care fellowship?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Pursuing a year of training in surgical critical care can be done for many reasons; a lot can depend on the residency path taken and a candidate's ultimate career goals. Your interviewers need to be assured that you will put their training to good use and have a carved-out path that you would like to see your career path taking.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
How to Answer
Come to your surgical critical care fellowship interview prepared to discuss your future career goals in detail. While keeping in mind that your interviewing team has trained physicians whose careers have gone in many different directions, highlight how training in their program will help you achieve your goals.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Answer Example
"Over the last five years in practice in emergency medicine since finishing my residency training, I've gained a lot of respect for intensivists and have loved following my patients' care in the ICU setting. I want to achieve dual board certification in emergency medicine and as an intensivist so I can continue to practice in a rural academic setting in both the emergency and ICU settings."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Career Goals
4. Our surgical critical care fellowship program offers many options for elective rotations. Have you put any thought into the elective rotations you'd like to pursue?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Many surgical critical care fellowship programs offer varying elective opportunities for their fellows, allowing them to customize their training to fit their career goals. Given that their fellows can come from a diverse group of residency and fellowship programs prior, your interviewers know that every new fellow they match will want to customize their path. In asking this question, your interviewers want to be assured you are familiar with their electives and to see if you have any initial thoughts on the path you want to pursue with their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
There is no right or wrong answer to a question like this, so speak from the heart on your ideal training path as a surgical critical care fellow and ensure it fits with your ultimate career goals. Since different programs can have different rotations, it's essential that you thoroughly research the program you are interviewing with before your interview so you can speak knowledgeably about what they offer and which ones you prefer to pursue.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 3rd, 2023
Answer Example
"The thing that interests me most about your program is the time in the trauma and general surgical ICU, along with the ability to pursue electives in the kidney transplant ICU and the regional burn center. With an academic interest in my future at a level one hospital, I need to gain hands-on experience in both of these ICU settings."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 3rd, 2023
Communication
5. As a fellow with our program, how will you explain a complex procedure or diagnosis to the family of a patient?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The program you are interviewing with wants surgical critical care fellows who can educate and be compassionate to patients' loved ones. Because family members often have to make decisions on behalf of the patient, this skill is essential for you to possess. A question like this allows your interviewers to see how you would handle educating a patient's family on a complex diagnosis or procedure using only verbal dialogue.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
Healthcare is increasingly complex, so it makes sense that most caregivers and loved ones won't know much about the care their family member receives in the critical care setting. This question is a chance to showcase your ability to explain a complicated idea without losing integrity and dumbing it down. Explain your step-by-step approach to ensuring the complicated subject is understood by your audience. If you have an example of a time you did just this during your residency training, be sure to talk about your process and its results.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"I have found that being direct and honest while maintaining an empathetic approach worked best with family members during my general surgery residency. I fully understand that I will be relied upon to talk with the families and loved ones of patients under my care as a surgical critical care fellow, and I'm very excited to do this. Families want to know what is happening, how procedures went, and what the prognosis will be, and this is what I strive to educate them on as soon as possible."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Communication
6. If we spoke to your current resident colleagues and attendings, how would they describe your communication skills?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In a busy and fast-paced critical care setting, communication among all staff members plays a vital role in the effective care coordination of patients. The program you are interviewing with knows that patient-centered communication is vital for fellows to be successful, and your interviewers want to know that you are a great communicator. They want to hear you have strong verbal and written communication skills when communicating with patients, faculty, colleagues, and your patient care team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Before your interview, consider your communication strengths and what your current colleagues have said about your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Come to your interview prepared to discuss what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More importantly, explain why solid communication skills are vital for any surgical critical care fellow.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"They wouldn't hesitate to say that my communications are always well thought out, direct, and delivered with professionalism. This applies to my communications with colleagues, my care team, and the patients and family members I care for. My current attendings would also say that I am thorough in all my communications and always take the patient education approach that works for each individual. I have an innate ability to read people and gauge their understanding. I know this would work well here as a surgical critical care fellow, particularly with the patient families I would be consulting with."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Compatibility
7. What are you looking for in a Critical Care fellowship program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As an advanced fellowship program that sees fellows from a wide variety of medical specialties, the program you are interviewing with wants to be sure that the fellows they match will be committed to their program and have a vision for what they hope to gain. In asking this question, they're ideally looking to hear that they can provide what you want to take from your year of training to ensure it will be a mutual fit.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Your interviewers are ultimately asking why you want to join their program, and they may do this in multiple ways during your interview. Explain how their surgical critical care program meets your needs and goals for training and what you will take into practice post-fellowship training. Before your interview, research the program and identify a few unique features of the program that are important to you when ranking the programs that you interview with.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"As I began researching surgical critical care fellowship programs over the last year, there were a few things that I was looking for in a program. First, I wanted hands-on experience in a burn unit, and I am glad your program offers a two-month rotation there. Getting relevant experience in critical care research is also important to me. Can you talk more about the research experience your current fellows are involved in?"
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Compatibility
8. During your residency training, did you find that there was a personality type that was difficult to work effectively with?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As you enter surgical critical care fellowship training, you will work closely with intensivists, nursing staff, pharmacists, respiratory staff, PT staff, chaplains, mid-level providers, and collaborating physicians from many other specialties. This will be a very diverse team that will all have their unique personalities and work styles. Your interviewers ask this question to determine your ability to work with even the most challenging personality styles.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
As you answer this question, you ideally want to pick a quality that doesn't reflect poorly on you. But on that note, you likely had to work with someone who was difficult to please during your residency training. Talking about demanding personalities may make you seem lazy or unable to work with demanding faculty in the program you are interviewing with. Instead, choose a quality that impairs the ability of even the most competent and hard-working doctors to deliver high-quality care or work as part of a high-functioning team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"During my training as a vascular surgeon, I worked alongside demanding surgeons and a variety of characters. I can't say I had difficulty working with any of them. But the one personality type I encountered that I didn't mesh well with was a person who was easily angered. We all work and practice in very stressful situations every day, but taking the frustration out on colleagues and support staff is unacceptable. My approach to working with this person was letting things bounce off my shoulder quickly while being there to support our surgical techs and nursing staff."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Conflict
9. What would you do if there was a disagreement among colleagues or fellows as a trainee with our program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In the critical care setting, where many providers and support staff provide care to high-acuity patients, disagreements can happen. Resolution of these disagreements often comes down to the physician in charge taking the reins in a professional, yet direct, manner. Your team of interviewers needs to be assured you can do this as a surgical critical care fellow with their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
In your answer, talk about your ability to be diplomatic and respectful when faced with a disagreement in the clinical setting while also knowing your place as a fellow in training. For a disagreement among fellows in training, it is always best to consult with the attending physician. Highlight your willingness to step in and help the disagreeing parties come to a resolution. If you have an example of a time you navigated a disagreement successfully during your prior training, now is a great time to mention that.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"It would depend on the disagreement. If the disagreement was with another fellow in training, I would reach out to our attending physicians for their professional opinion. During my residency training, I approached every situation as a learning opportunity and would do the same in training here as a surgical critical care fellow. If I witnessed a disagreement among colleagues or support staff, I would do what was necessary to intervene and give my own professional opinion so an agreement could be reached. These are tough situations, but decisions must be made safely, soundly, and quickly in this setting."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Direct
10. This institution requires a full criminal background check and education verification. Would you be willing to comply if you joined our program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Due to state and federal laws, all healthcare institutions require a full criminal background check for direct patient care staff. Your credentialing and state licensure at the program you match into will also rely on it. Your interviewers ask this question to ensure you can pass any required state or federal background checks required by their institution.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Be as open and honest with your interviewers as possible. As an experienced resident, you know all of the background checks that will be required, so discuss any blemishes you have on your criminal record and any gaps in your employment/training history. Being forthright will help in any credentialing and privileging processes that will happen down the road if you match into the program you are interviewing with.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"Yes, I am more than willing to submit any necessary materials for the background check and credentialing process if I were fortunate enough to match into your surgical critical care program. My only criminal violation on my record is a speeding violation in my car from a couple of years ago, and I paid that fine promptly."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Direct
11. Are you mentally and physically prepared to handle the required shift work in our surgical critical care fellowship program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The blocks of rotations you will complete during your year of surgical critical care fellowship can include many weeks of working 60 to almost 80 hours, with long 12+ hour shifts being the norm. Added to that is the required on-call time. Your team of interviewers needs to be assured that any new fellow they match is ready to take on this challenge, both from a mental health and physical perspective.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Explain to your interviewers that you know their program will require you to work 12-hour shifts any day of the week, any day of the year. If you are used to this type of clinical coverage during your residency training, be sure to discuss that experience and the steps you took to give all of your focus on the job. This is also a great time to reiterate that you will have all of the support you need in your personal life to ensure you can meet all of the program's requirements.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"I'm certainly ready to dedicate the next year of my training to your program and my future. During most of my rotations in my general surgery training, 11-12 hour days were common with morning rounds starting as early as 5:30am and afternoon rounds finishing after cases sometimes at 6:00pm. Being able to handle this both physically and mentally came down to me taking care of myself while not in clinic. This included getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy and doing the things that I enjoy to relax."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Direct
12. If you don't match into a surgical critical care program this year, what is your plan?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Even though 93% of surgical critical care applicants matched into fellowship programs in 2022, there is still a slight chance you may not match. To get at your sense of planning ahead and having a vision for your future, your interviewing team wants to hear that you have thought out this real possibility and have a solid plan in place for yourself.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
How to Answer
While reiterating that matching into an excellent surgical critical care fellowship is your dream and vision, think about what you will do if you don't match on this attempt. If you are coming out of residency training, describe the ideal practice you would join and your plan for applying, interviewing, and matching again down the road. No matter how you answer, keep your mood positive and let them know that not matching wouldn't get you down.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
Answer Example
"If, for some reason, I did not match into a surgical critical care fellowship coming out of residency, I've already been told I have a clinical position as a vascular surgeon with my training institution. I would accept that offer happily and begin my career in a modern and visionary institution. At that point, I would want to give them their justice and remain in practice for at least three years before attempting a match into this subspecialty again."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
Discovery
13. Do you have any concerns regarding the skills you would bring to our program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Depending on the training path you took to match into surgical critical care fellowship training, your firsthand experience in the critical care setting may be limited. Your interviewers are fully aware that most candidates will need to be brought up to speed on a lot of processes in their setting, and they want to hear where you feel your shortcomings are. They'll also want to debunk any myths you may have heard about the training.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Before your interview, be honest with yourself and consider any shortcomings you may have coming into a surgical critical care fellowship. As long as you have a plan to address it, your interviewers will respect your answer. Also, rather than focusing on a potential deficit in your ability to perform as a surgical critical care fellow, pick a common weakness or discuss a common misconception about training in the subspecialty. Then, explain how you have taken or will take steps to prepare for this hurdle. Conversely, if you don't have any worries, confidently express this to your interviewers.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"In all honesty, I can't say that anything is keeping me up at night about matching into a surgical critical care fellowship. As an ENT resident, I've developed great clinical and procedural skills that will carry over well in caring for my patients in the ICU setting. I may have to brush up on skills like trach tube insertion."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Discovery
14. What other career path might you have chosen if medicine simply wasn't an option?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If your interviewers intend to rank you high on their match list, they'll want to know a bit about who you are as a person to ensure you'll be a great fit with their team. Asking a question like this will give them insight into your personality and interests outside of medicine.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, you should consider questions like this before your surgical critical care fellowship interview. Talk openly and honestly with your interviewers about where your career path would have ideally taken you if becoming a physician wasn't an option. You can have some fun with your answer if it gives insight into your interests and passions outside of medicine.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"This is a great question. I honestly haven't put any thought into it since I've been committed to a career as a physician since my undergraduate program. I was a competitive golfer at the collegiate level, so I probably would have pursued a professional career for as long and as far as I could have gone. If I couldn't make it to the PGA tour, I would have become a teaching pro at a club in Arizona or southern California."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Discovery
15. Coming out of residency training, what would you say is your greatest weakness as a physician?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
No physician in training, or even in practice, is perfect, and all have unique weaknesses and areas they want to improve on. The surgical critical care fellowship program you are interviewing for wants to be sure you are self-aware and can identify an area that needs improvement.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
This is the time to be honest with yourself and put some thought into your greatest weakness as a physician before your fellowship interview. Remember, your weakness shouldn't be a major detriment to success as a surgical critical care fellow. Be upfront and honest with your team of interviewers, and make sure to have an action plan for what you are trying to improve. When you admit you have a deficiency in a particular aspect of your profession and take steps to improve, it shows the interviewers that you are motivated and inspired to grow professionally.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Answer Example
"I've had a lot of time to reflect on this as I near the end of my residency training and head into fellowship. I'd have to say my greatest weakness right now is my inexperience with cardiology and pulmonology cases. While I had a great experience during medical school, the last four years of urology training have focused my attention elsewhere. If I'm fortunate enough to match into your surgical critical care fellowship program, I know I would have some catching up to do in my initial rotations."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Discovery
16. What would you say is your top non-medical strength that makes you an excellent fit for our program?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While your interviewers are looking for a candidate that is a clinical fit for their surgical critical care program, they also seek a personal and cultural fit. If your interviewers ask a question like this, they want to hear that you have some unique skills or personality traits apart from the clinical skills you have developed that make you the best fit for their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Put some thought into your top strength outside of your clinical skills and come to your interview prepared to give an answer that will make you a unique and memorable candidate. Your answer to this question could include soft skills like empathy, charity, integrity, and consistency or personality traits, like being a natural educator. Your answer should be well thought out and supported to impress your interviewers.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"From high school to the final year of my residency program, I've been commended for having the necessary skills and mindset to be a champion for change. Healthcare always has been and always will be an evolving and growing field, and being a leader that motivates others in times of change will be key to success. In your surgical critical care fellowship, I know I will face a lot of new changes, and I will tackle them with a positive attitude and a growth mindset."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Discovery
17. What initially motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Success in a fast-paced and highly stressful surgical critical care fellowship requires dedication and passion. Your interviewers will test your passion for medicine with this question.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
Reflect upon what drew you to this career. Your interviewers aren't necessarily looking for a right and wrong answer here, so speak with enthusiasm and excitement when talking about the biggest influences in your life that led you to a future career as a physician.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Answer Example
"From a young age, with the influence of my mother and grandmother, I was always interested in caring for others and helping those in need. They inspired in me a love for volunteering. It wasn't until I reached my early years of high school when I took a strong liking to the sciences in school and began volunteering at a local hospital that I developed a passion for medicine. Soon, I knew that medical school was in my future, and every academic pursuit moving forward was with that in mind."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Discovery
18. What is something unique about yourself that we can't find on your CV?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The surgical critical care fellowship you are interviewing with will pay close attention to each candidate's CV and the clinical, academic, and scholarly success they will bring to their program. To them, finding a great match with the culture of their institution is equally important, and a question like this allows them to learn a bit more about who you are and what type of person they'd be getting if you match there.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
How to Answer
While you cannot share everything about your personal life and accomplishments on your CV, there must be something you are proud of that you would like to share. If possible, share something about yourself that shows the interviewers you would be a good fit for their surgical critical care fellowship program. This is a great chance to differentiate yourself from others they will consider ranking, so take advantage of the moment.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Answer Example
"I'm very passionate about woodworking. My uncle taught me this skill during high school, and I continued to pursue it through shop classes. I love to create new and useful things for myself, my friends, and my family. Recently, I've gotten into woodcarving, and it's been quite fun to learn more on top of building bed frames and cabinetry."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Discovery
19. Talk about some things that make you excited about this relocation.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If your match would require what your interviewers would consider a major relocation, they need to hear that you have considered this. In posing this question, they want to hear that you will find the city/region a great fit for yourself and your family and that you will find things that keep you interested and engaged when you are not on ICU coverage.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
If you have lived in or visited the city or adjacent cities, you should mention this. If you know anyone there, talk about the good things they have told you. If it is an unfamiliar city/region, pick traits unique to the city that intrigue you and explain why you think living in the area would be a positive experience. Assure your interviewers that you have done your homework on the city and can see yourself thriving there over the coming year and potentially beyond.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"I've always wanted to spend some time on the west coast, and my spouse is very open to moving here; her job allows the flexibility to work virtually. We both have family in the area, which will be nice around the holidays. We are big sports fans and love that we would have exposure to all four major sports; we plan to attend games in our free time."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Discovery
20. What three words would you use to describe your personality?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Even though a surgical critical care fellowship typically only lasts for one year, ensuring that the fellows they match will be a cultural and team fit is vital for your interviewers. In asking this question, they hope to gain insight into your personality to understand how you will fit in with the culture, faculty, and other fellows. They also want to hear how you view yourself as a person.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
Since you only have three words, make sure the words you use will make a lasting impact on your interviewers after the interview process ends and the match process begins. If you need some things to consider before your surgical critical care fellowship interview, some possible answers that apply to this niche subspecialty include adaptable, brave, compassionate, respectful, helpful, positive, thoughtful, and versatile. As you prepare for a question like this, avoid giving the same answer other candidates give. Explain your reasons for choosing these words to describe yourself.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"This is a great question! If I had to narrow myself and my personality down to three words, I would say I'm collaborative, optimistic, and competitive. From a young age, I knew that healthcare was a field I wanted to pursue, and my ability to work effectively and lead others as part of a team was a big reason for pursuing my MD. Others around me have always been drawn to my positive outlook on things, and I found this to be a great trait to have as a general surgeon in training. My competitiveness has always driven me to be the best I can be at what I do. I've found it to push me in the research realms, which I hope to continue to do as a surgical critical care fellow with your program."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Education
21. What was your favorite didactic training you received during your residency training?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Educational didactics are an important piece of the year that you will spend in surgical critical care fellowship training. To determine if you will be involved and excited about their didactic training, your interviewers want to hear you elaborate on which didactic training during your residency program excited you the most.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
How to Answer
Before your surgical critical care fellowship interview, thoroughly research the program you are interviewing with and the types of didactic training they offer their fellows. As you consider the conferences, grand rounds, or any other formal education you received during your residency, speak passionately about your desire to take advantage of the didactics they offer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Answer Example
"For me, grand rounds were absolutely my favorite didactics piece of my general surgery residency. Hearing experts in my field talk about real-world research, and results could be educational, awe-inspiring, and motivational. I also loved that my institution brought in field experts from around the globe to speak, and I took advantage of every opportunity to listen in and ask questions. As a fellow with your program, I'd look forward to immersing myself in opportunities like one of the annual critical care medicine conferences and journal clubs."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 11th, 2023
Experience
22. Talk about the abstracts, presentations, and publications you were responsible for during your residency training. Do you have any specific research interests as a surgical critical care fellow?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As your interviewing team reviews your CV and application materials before your interview, they will get a good feel for the research and scholarly activities you've taken part in up through this point in your training. They pose this question to hopefully hear you speak passionately about your interests in research as a resident and where your potential interests might fall as a fellow with their surgical critical care program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
Prepare for this question on your scholarly activities by writing a list of the publications, abstracts, and presentations you have had up to this point. As you discuss this, briefly describe the subjects in research that have garnered your interest. Then discuss what areas of research in surgical critical care would interest you the most. Most fellowship program websites give great details about the research activities their fellows partake in, so be sure to thoroughly research this topic before your interview.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Answer Example
"During my residency training, most of my research was focused on data mining in anesthesiology and pain management research. I presented four posters at national conferences as a resident and submitted three peer-reviewed articles that were published. These are all on my CV. As a prospective surgical critical care fellow, I love that your program has a strong focus on research and would love to focus on clinical research in recovery times with ICU patients."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Experience
23. Have you had to cope with losing a patient during your residency training?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In the critical care setting, handling the death of a patient is a reality that teams must face daily. Your interviewer knows that some candidates may not have had to cope with the loss of a patient before. They want to hear if you have and, if so, how you handled the situation internally and as a team. If you haven't lost a patient yet in your training, they want to hear that you are armed with the resources to do so.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
In your answer, you need to show that you can separate your emotions from your duties as a physician. If you have experienced the death of a patient under your care during residency training, this is the best time to discuss how you handled yourself personally and professionally. If you haven't dealt with this situation firsthand, point out your ability to deal with any challenging situations involving patient care and explain how it will aid you if you lose a patient.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Answer Example
"Yes, during my general surgery residency, I experienced a few losses on my trauma surgery rotations. As a physician, I got into this profession to help people, so it is sad to see them die. But I knew that was part of the job before going to medical school, so I have the mindset that patients will unfortunately not always make it. I cope by knowing I did the best I could for them and talking with my team of physicians and staff. If a particular death bothers me more than others, I talk with my closest colleagues, which always seems to help. I also take care of myself mentally and physically so the grief doesn't take control of my emotions."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Experience
24. Talk about your charting and dictation experience during your prior training. What EHR programs did you gain experience in?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It's easy to fall behind on charting after a long and busy day in a surgical critical care setting, but the results can be catastrophic. Since patient notes can impact new staff at shift turnover, your interviewers must be assured that you would always prioritize your charting during each shift, even when time gets busy. With this question, they want to hear that you have hands-on experience in a variety of EHRs and that you prioritize your charting when you are able.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
Speak openly and honestly about how you prioritized your patient charting during residency training and push your answer further by highlighting any direct feedback you received on your charting skills from faculty. If your residency training involved surgical procedures, be sure to elaborate on the fact that accurate patient notes were vital to the long-term care of patients you operated on. Then tie what you learned in residency training to a year focusing on critical care patients as a surgical critical care fellow.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"I learned a few lessons on the timeliness of patient charting during my general surgery residency training and made it a priority in my final two years. I will bring great habits to your surgical critical care fellowship and hands-on experience with EPIC. My residency program taught me to be thorough in my documentation, both for patient care and billing purposes."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Experience
25. Talk about any critical care rotations you've had during your residency and medical school training. What did you enjoy about the experiences?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The surgical critical care fellowship program you are interviewing with is well aware that the fellows they bring in every year have varying degrees of firsthand experience in the ICU setting. While likely not outlined in detail on your CV, they want to hear what continues your attraction towards a future practice that involved providing care to critically ill/injured patients in this setting, regardless of your training background.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
How to Answer
Before your interview, think back to the rotations you've completed in the critical care setting and think back to what you enjoyed the most about that experience. As you answer this question, be direct in those thoughts while also reiterating what about that experience drew you to this fellowship training path.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
Answer Example
"During my second year of anesthesiology residency training, I had a great ICU rotation. The co-management approach of the institution where I trained used a team-based approach to patient care. I had the opportunity to collaborate with pulmonologists, neurologists, cardiologists, and many different surgeons. I loved providing post-operative and pre-operative care to critically ill patients and would love this to be a part of my future practice in an academic setting."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 12th, 2023
Leadership
26. How did you demonstrate your ability to take the lead during your residency? Why do you feel this natural ability is important during surgical critical care fellowship training?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In the ICU setting, a team effort is needed to provide the best care possible for patients. Because overall care can include collaboration among many physicians, a large team of nursing staff, respiratory therapists, and other care team members, the physicians in the ICU need to be able to grab the bull by the horns and take charge when needed. Because you will likely be coming into an unfamiliar setting as a surgical critical care fellow, your team of interviewers needs to know that you have a natural ability and experience leading others in a care setting.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
Carefully describe a situation during your residency training where you saw a chance to lead and took advantage of it. Talk about the success of the moment and the biggest takeaway you will bring to this program. You'll want to highlight your ability to communicate effectively and lead others as you answer this question. Stress that you are willing and ready to take charge in the ICU as a surgical critical care fellow.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"I feel very fortunate that my emergency medicine residency put me in a position to take the lead from the beginning of my second year, sometimes during the busiest times in a large New York City hospital. I remember a night during a bad snowstorm when we had an influx of patients while short-staffed. It fell on me to coordinate care that night, and communication was key. I trusted first-year residents and nursing staff to prioritize and triage patients. I made sure to keep lines of communication flowing from our HUCs up to me in charge that night. I feel that this experience will help me effectively lead teams of nursing staff and therapists with your program and into my career in practice with this approach."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Role-Specific
27. How would you describe your bedside manner?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During your residency training, you hopefully developed a solid bedside manner that puts the patients' needs first and makes them comfortable. Bedside manner in a critical care setting requires some unique skills that your interviewers hope you possess.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
How to Answer
While the standard positives for a strong bedside manner, like listening skills and an empathetic approach, still apply in a critical care unit, strong attention to detail and the ability to observe everything about a patient become more critical. These are at least two of the bedside skills you want to discuss. This is also a great time to describe how you treat all patients with respect, empathy, kindness, and compassion, and explain how you've done this during your training so far will pay dividends.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Answer Example
"I would describe my bedside manner as nurturing, comforting, patient, and caring. These are approaches I was taught early on in my emergency medicine training. I approach all patients the same. I introduce myself, ask their name, and determine what I can do for them. I take the time to actively listen to their concerns, showing them I care about them and want to help them. As a surgical critical care fellow, I know that great attention to detail will also be necessary given that patients are often unable to communicate in this setting."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 7th, 2023
Situational
28. As a new surgical critical care fellow, how will you respond when asked to do a procedure or task that you are unfamiliar with and uncomfortable handling?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewers are well aware that every candidate they consider will come with some inexperience in the ICU setting. Because you will be tackling many new procedures and tasks in practice that you haven't been directly exposed to before, your interviewers will be looking to hear that you would take a collaborative and learning approach and that you aren't afraid to ask for help when you know your shortcomings.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
How to Answer
This is not the time to say that you would jump in with both feet and potentially risk the safety and well-being of a patient. Your interviewers are not looking for someone who jumps when someone says jump; they want someone willing to jump with confidence and competence. Provide an answer that illustrates this difference. Talk about your willingness to ask for help and learn during your time as a fellow with their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Answer Example
"I am confident in my medical knowledge and the skills that I developed during my neurosurgery residency training, but I also know that I will tackle some things that will be new to me in the ICU setting during surgical critical care fellowship training. When faced with this situation, I wouldn't hesitate to ask a faculty member for guidance. My goal is to leave the fellowship with all the skills necessary to be a confident and competent surgeon in practice. I greatly look forward to these learning opportunities with your program."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 4th, 2023
Stress
29. Situations can get tense in the critical care setting. How has your training prepared you for the stress and intensity of a surgical critical care fellowship?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
12-hour shifts and a complex base of patients with unique care needs can cause stress for the physicians providing coverage in any critical care setting. Because the fellows they match into the surgical critical care fellowship can come from a variety of backgrounds, your interviewing team ideally wants to hear about a time or two you successfully worked through intense times during your prior residency training.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
To prove your ability to handle the pressures of surgical critical care fellowship training, provide an example of a time you were challenged by a large workload or a pressure-packed situation as a resident. Discuss how you reacted in that situation, what you learned from this experience, and if you would do things differently next time. Don't forget to mention the resources you used to ensure that you also paid close attention to the fine details and the communication skills you used to ensure everyone worked as one.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"During my second year of residency training, one of my HIM rotations was working as a night float in a maximum capacity hospital unit. Several units were full, including our general ICU, so our workload was increased greatly. I buckled down and dealt with every patient one at a time. I took the time after each patient to document my notes as I normally would. Communication during these shifts was vital, ensuring that all providers and nursing staff were on the same page. The attending physician and I worked through some hiccups with constant communication. Communication and teamwork are critical to effectively managing a busy ICU as a surgical critical care fellow and the hourly challenges that arise. I'm confident in the abilities that I would bring to your program."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Teamwork
30. Do you consider yourself a team player?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In the fast-paced world of a critical care unit, providing the best care possible requires diligent synchronization of efforts from Intensivists, nursing staff, respiratory therapists, and all other staff. The program you are interviewing with must match surgical critical care fellows who can take direction and take the lead when necessary, all while being team players. During your interview, your team of interviewers wants to give you the chance to talk about your teamwork skills and how you would interact with your team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
How to Answer
Explain that you are a great communicator and can take direction or take charge and lead others when needed. Discuss your experiences as part of a larger team during your prior training and the role you are most comfortable playing on a team in the clinical setting. While this is an open-ended question, you should not neglect to mention your leadership skills.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023
Answer Example
"I thrive in a team environment, and my current team of residents and faculty will attest to this. I prioritize communication in any setting, including clinical, academic, and research. The nursing staff I work with have always praised my ability to keep them up to speed on patient care matters and other issues, and I would bring these priorities to your program. I would come here with the ability to lead as a surgical critical care fellow. My residency training put me in a position to lead care teams in a busy emergency department setting, and I was appointed chief resident this year."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 6th, 2023