How to Answer: Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism from an attending physician or senior resident during your residency. How did you respond?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Vascular Surgery Fellowship job interview.
3. Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism from an attending physician or senior resident during your residency. How did you respond?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It should be abundantly clear as you enter vascular surgery fellowship training that 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.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 17th, 2023
How to Answer
Choose an example that does not highlight a significant or persistent deficit in your ability to operate on patients. 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 tell your interviewers that you are ready to accept any constructive criticism that will come your way.
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 17th, 2023
Answer Example
"During my five years of general surgery residency training, I learned from my attending physicians many times, and I was always grateful for their feedback. I remember back to my second year during my first endoscopy rotation. I was performing an endoscopy to localize lesions preoperatively for a patient. An attending physician immediately jumped in to take over and teach me while they were performing the quick procedure. While taken aback at first, I had forgotten to insert a mouth guard for the patient, and the attending took the reins immediately. We had a great talk afterward about ensuring all steps were taken before a procedure before proceeding."
Written by Ryan Brunner on April 18th, 2023