Talk about a time you received constructive criticism from an attending physician or senior resident during your General Surgery residency training. How did you handle that situation?
Given the highly specialized nature of the Surgical Oncology training that you are pursuing, your work will be scrutinized to the highest degree by the senior fellows and 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 during your training with them.
"During my vascular surgery rotation, I rushed a simple procedure while my attending worked alongside me. She had to take over and walk me through the steps while I watched. Following the successful procedure, the attending surgeon was very frank in letting me know that the procedure required a methodical approach and that no corners could be cut. While that was never my intent, it was great advice that I continued to take through the rest of my residency training and well into my career as a Surgical Oncologist."
Choose an example 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 feedback to shape how you approach patient care moving forward. Don't hesitate to reiterate to your interviewers that you would join their program ready to accept any constructive criticism that would come your way.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Once, during an easy cholecystectomy, I was confident in my capabilities and I was a bit faster on the surgical times, I pierced the gallbladder. It was not a big deal but my surgeon explained to me that I was in no rush and that being faster is not the goal but it's being precise. Sometimes after 4 years I still think about his words, the calm was and is the way for doing well.
Jaymie's Feedback
You're off to a great start by giving a specific example and what you learned from it. Consider giving a more recent example if you have one. If you use this example, consider removing or rephrasing "no big deal" as that may unintentionally come off as flippant to the interviewer.
