Medical Interview Questions

Unlike some University programs, getting into medical school is one of the most difficult. Being that you have an interview regardless of how academically gifted you are.  This means that you’re likely going to be asked  medical interview questions covering a range of 5 topics: 1) Medical Ethics Questions,  2) Motivation,  3) Emotional Intelligence, 4) Extracurricular Interests and 5) Competency Scenario Based Questions. 

With this in mind below I’ve put together a range of questions that are likely to come up in a medical school interview. So that you can go on to achieve your dream and work for the NHS and beyond. 

MEdicine Motivation Interview Questions

Of course if you’re deciding to go for medicine which is a tough, challenging as well as intense program. Universities would like to know how authentic are. The last thing any university wants is for students to start the programme and after 3 years decide they no longer want to do it! Hence the process of gauging and assessing a potential medical students motivation is crucial for the University. To see whether you will be the right fit for the programme. Let’s have a look at some medical interview questions below:

1. 1. Why Medicine?
   2. Why Medicine at our University?
   3. What is your favourite part of medicine?
   4. What motivates you?
   5. What is your proudest achievement?
   6. Tell us about a time when you’ve failed?
   7. What’s your biggest regret?
   8. If you couldn’t do medicine what subject would you study?
   9. Tell us about someone that you admire and why you admire them?
   10. Tell us about a time where you’ve shown resilience?

MEdical Ethics Interview Questions

Medicine of course is directly linked to the well-being of human beings. You will be dealing with the elderly, children and people who are in a vulnerable state. In addition to this, the conversations that you might have as a clinician will be very sensitive as well as any medical procedure or operation can be invasive to a person’s privacy. Also there are instances that as a medical professional you have to make a difficult ethical and moral decision which can have a life-changing impact on a patient’s life.  Hence why medical students’ need to be able to show a strong understanding of ethics  as this is a crucial part of the medical questions process for a medicine interview. 

Below are a list of medical school  interview questions assessing medical ethics:

1. 1. What are your thoughts on stem cell research?
   2. What is your opinion on euthanasia?
   3. What is your view on abortion?
   4. What are your thoughts on human and technology augmentation?
   5. What would you do if a 7 year old male patient tells you that he wants to be a girl?
   6. What would you do in a situation where a 6 year old female patient wishes to be a boy?
   7. If a patient tells you that they intend to go aboard for private treatment in a potentially unsafe country, what would you say to them?
   8. What are your thoughts on chimera research?
   9. A parent and child have a disagreement on a procedure or course of action. What would you do?
   10. An elderly person tells you they are considering euthanasia, how would you respond to this?

 

Emotional Intelligence Interview Questions

The ability to show emotional intelligence and empathy will form a big part of medical questions. As a medical professional a large part of your NHS job consists of interacting with people whether they are fellow clinicians, administrative staff, operational staff as well as of course most importantly the patient and sometimes their families. Each interaction that you have will require you to be able to adapt your communication style to optimally interact with another person. Also you will need to  demonstrate the core values and attributes for a medical professional. In particular, the ability to show empathy and compassion are crucial as in many cases when you are interacting with the patient those qualities are going to be required. 

1. 1. How would I tell a patient about some bad news?
   2. Provide an example where you’ve had a disagreement with someone. How did you successfully resolve the situation?
   3. Provide an example where you’ve had to adapt your communication style to communicate a complex piece of information?
   4. A friend is upset that they didn’t receive the grade to get into a particular university course. How would you support them?
   5. What’s the difference between empathy and compassion?
   6. In your opinion, what’s the difference between sympathy and empathy?
   7. Why do you think having empathy is important in medicine?
   8. How would you describe the Covid19 virus to a 5 year old?
   9. A friend tells you they’re having self esteem issues, what would you say?
   10. You’re going on a trip and have tell one friend that there isn’t enough space for them, how would you tell them the news?

 

Extracurricular Interest & Activies 

One of the purposes behind medical interview questions is to understand whether you are a well-rounded individual. This is important because to become a competent medical professional you have to show that you have a well-rounded personality. This means have life experience outside of academia and your studies. Therefore probing and exploring your extracurricular interests and activities  through these medical questions provides the interviewer with some fantastic insight about whether you’re balanced individual.

1. 1. Tell me about a book that you’re currently reading?
   2. What’s your favourite book?
   3. What are your hobbies?
   4. Tell us about something in the news that you’ve found interesting?
   5. If you were able to learn one particular skill outside of medicine, what would it be and why?
   6. How do you deal with stress?
   7. What’s your favourite movie and why?
   8. Tell us about a recent documentary/tv show that you’ve watched?
   9. Tell us about your great achievement outside of studies and school?
   10. How do you intend to spend your time outside of your studies at university?

Competency Scenario Based Medical QUestions

Like most interviews whether it’s professional or otherwise competency-based interviews are core  part of the assessment process. Medical interviews are no different. With these types of medical questions you will be required to provide examples based on your past experiences to answer a particular question that they might have. Below I’ve listed the main competencies based questions that are likely to be covered in a medical school interview.

1. 1. Tell us about a time when you’ve shown leadership?
   2. Provide an example where you’ve shown teamwork?
   3. Tell us about a time when you’ve had to deliver to a tight deadline?
   4. Provide an example where you’ve had varying priorities and how did you organise yourself to deliver?
   5. Describe a time where you’ve had conflict with someone. How did you successfully resolve the issue?
   6. Describe a time where you’ve been outside of your comfort zone?
   7. Tell me about a time where you’ve had to make a difficult decision, how did you decide on what to do?
   8. Provide an example where you’ve come up with a creative solution to a problem?
   9. Tell us about a situation which you now look back on and now would do it differently?
   10. Describe a time where you felt like giving up but continued?

So there you have it! Some of the main questions that you should be preparing for your big med school interview!If you are interested professional support to help you in preparation for your interview we provide university interview coaching, whether it’s for Oxbridge, an MBA or Medical school.