Background and Motivation

Background and Motivation:

why do you want to study Medicine?
Answer Guide:
This is a common Background and Motivation question, so reflect carefully on the
answer prior to interview
In order to answer it properly, you will need to first understand what exactly being a
medical student and a doctor entails. This comes from research, work experience and
talking to people ahead of you on the pathway
Aim to strike a good balance between passion and pragmatism many people come
across disproportionately one way or the other
Provide enough detail to be persuasive, but avoid waffling. More than three points is
usually too much and impact will be lost
Get across your desire to interact with and ultimately help people. This is what
being a doctor is all about
Try to capture why the combination of scientific drive and human engagement involved
in Medicine appeals to you
Use examples from work experience and your personal life throughout to personalise
and strengthen your answer

Common Mistakes:
Knowing you want to be a doctor but not being able to articulate why. This is usually a
result of a lack of reflection
Referring to financial rewards or social status: these are not good motivators and there
are other careers that offer more of both
Saying that you come from a family of doctors. This is not a mistake in itself, but you
must stress that you have done your own exploration
 If you were not offered a place to
study Medicine, what would you do?
Answer Guide:
Saying you would apply again next year, and perhaps try to get a job or volunteering
post in a related area in the meantime, shows commitment
Stressing that you would remain committed to the pathway in the face of a setback is a
good demonstration of your desire to study Medicine
Show that you can turn misfortune to your advantage by outlining how you would make
the most of the time to gain more experience in healthcare for example
Perhaps suggest that you could try nursing or a related healthcare degree because they
also involve patient care and that is ultimately what youre interested in

Common Mistakes:
Simply saying I will get in shows arrogance, rather than strength and might tempt
them to prove you wrong!
Saying straight away that you would do something unrelated suggests a lack of
commitment and resolve

What aspects of the working life of a

doctor appeal to you?
Answer Guide:
Hopefully you find it rewarding to help people who need it, and make a difference in
peoples lives. So say so and dont be too afraid of sounding cheesy
Remember: as a doctor, you have the chance to make a real difference to peoples lives
every day that you go to work
 Patient care and disease management, alongside the medical research that takes
place, is intellectually stimulating
It is a multi-faceted job that presents you with many exciting challenges
If you enjoy teamwork and problem-solving that will also be a big draw
Consider the diversity of opportunities available to healthcare professionals
Use work experience and other first-hand experiences to support the things that you say
make the answer personal to you
Consider mentioning that you are also aware that it is extremely challenging and
stressful but that you believe the positives outweigh the negatives

Common Mistakes:
Focusing on career advancement, respect and remuneration
Saying that the life of a doctor is entirely positive and failing to appreciate the emotional
difficulty involved

What aspects of the working life of a

doctor dont appeal to you?
Answer Guide:
Show that you understand, from research and work experience, that being a doctor
comes with a lot of challenges
Without belittling these challenges, also keep a positive outlook and demonstrate that
you are up for the challenge
Example: being a doctor can be very stressful and requires a huge commitment, which
might restrict your personal or family life. However, there might also be good ways of
finding a work-life balance that work for you
Example: death of patients is an inevitable part of being a doctor show that you
recognise that this will be an incredibly difficult thing to deal with. However, you can also
refer to the support available for doctors experiencing difficulties with this
 Remember, there is a huge range of opportunities available to a doctor. You will
develop more of a sense of what you are best suited to as you move through Medical
School

Common Mistakes:
Being blindly positive. Positivity is an excellent trait but not at the expense of realism
Saying that everything appeals and you can think of nothing that would be difficult about
being a doctor shows a lack of appreciation for the realities
Referring too much to NHS cuts and working long hours for relatively small
remuneration could make you seem like you have the wrong priorities

Can non-scientific hobbies add to a

persons ability to be a good doctor,
and why? Can you think of any
examples in your own case?
Answer Guide:
Medicine isnt just a scientific career. It is people-based and therefore requires doctors
to be well-rounded people who can relate to others
Non-scientific interests can help doctors achieve this, and relate to patients who dont
have a deep scientific understanding of their situation
Some universities, like Imperial, focus a lot on extracurricular as a sign of well-rounded
candidates; find out each universitys stance beforehand
If you play music / sport / paint / do comedy / other, tell them about it and try to
articulate why this might make you are stronger candidate
 Extracurricular activities can demonstrate skills relevant to Medicine; sports people
often show teamwork and leadership, for instance. Use extracurricular achievements to
signpost doctor-worthy traits.
Example: I love playing the guitar, and have played in bands in my town for several
years. It is a great way of meeting new people, and playing music together is one of the
most enjoyable things I do. I would like to continue playing guitar alongside my medical
studies, as I feel it could provide catharsis during stressful times. Patients or colleagues
might also enjoy listening or playing music together!

Common Mistakes:
Focusing too much on extracurricular agendas at the expense of the Medical School.
Remember, not everyone shares the same interests as you.
Being dismissive of non-academic pursuits and saying things like a doctors ability to
diagnose illness is really the most important part.

What do you find interesting about

Medicine?
Answer Guide:
While this question appears to be asking you to talk in detail about scientific topics you
have studied and find interesting, what it is really doing is providing you with an
opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of your engagement with Medicine.
Structure your answer to avoid being incoherent or going into too much detail about one
particular topic and running out of time!
Start by discussing a particular scientific aspect of Medicine that you have studied or
read about and found interesting such as the special structure of the epithelial cells in
the myocardium that allows the heart to act as such an effective and reliable pump.
 Connect this to any relevant clinical work experience you have had for example, did
you see any patients with heart conditions or did you see an echocardiogram? What are
the real-world manifestations of the Medicine that interests you? If you dont have any
relevant work experience, think about the reading you have done.
You might then move on to the practical side of Medicine. This lets the interviewer know
that you appreciate that Medicine is a practical science and often the practise of
Medicine is less about scientific knowledge and more about soft skills, pattern
recognition and logic.
You could then combine both the practical and scientific topics you have discussed to
talk about research or self-directed learning that you might want to do at Medical
School. Is there an Intercalated Degree that you have your eye on?
Remember to demonstrate that you have thought about this question from multiple
aspects! Not just the scientific one!

Common Mistakes:
Not taking the time at the start to think about what you want to say and structure the
answer accordingly. You run the risk of talking without any logical structure, for an
extended time leaving the interviewer none-the-wiser on your position!
Focusing on one aspect and not demonstrating that you appreciate that Medicine is a
multi-disciplinary and varied area of study and practice.

What do you wish to achieve from

your medical career?
Answer Guide:
You need to have a basic understanding of what a typical medical career may involve.
Aim to cover your interests in the areas of clinical training, academia, general skills
development and social activities.
 Take why you wish to study medicine and translate that into something tangible that you
would like to achieve. For example, this may be an idea to train as a Consultant then
travel the world to engage in humanitarian work.
What they want to see is if you have an idea of how a medical career could satisfy your
interests and how you can contribute to society as a doctor.
It may be worth reading up on training pathways for doctors. Remember these are a
guide and many doctors take unconventional routes during their training to take time out
for doing research, travelling or having a family.
As a doctor, excelling in clinical practice will be a given, but try to mention things that
shows appreciation of the other responsibilities of a doctor, such as teaching junior
doctors and medical students.
Use your reflection on your work experience to strengthen your answer. You may have
been inspired by one or more of the doctors you interacted with.
Try to be creative with your answer and show how you aim to make the most out of your
career in medicine.

Common Mistakes:
Not being open enough. Many medical students and even doctors end up changing
their minds on what they would like out of a medical career.
Forgetting to mention that you wish to help patients in some way. After all, thats what
being a doctor is about.
Focusing on financial rewards or social status.

Depth and Breadth of Interest

Do you read any publications that
are relevant to your interest in
medicine? Tell us about an
 interesting article that you have read
recently.
Answer Guide:
This is an opportunity to demonstrate that you have explored your interest in medicine
in your own time, outside of your school curriculum and work experience.
New Scientist and Scientific American are a couple of examples of publications that
produce content relevant to an interest in medicine. They both have articles that are
available online without a subscription, although you may choose to subscribe for
access to more of their content.
Prepare in advance. It is worth having a few articles that you have read in mind in case
a question like this comes up. You should be able to give a brief explanation of what
they were about so be sure to glance over them again ahead of the interview to jog your
memory.
When you give your example, explain why you found that article so interesting or
exciting. You want your enthusiasm for the subject of medicine to come across.

Common Mistake:
Throwing out the name of a publication or online resource that you are not actually
familiar with. You will probably not be able to back this up if you have not read any of
their articles and a mistake like that could really derail your interview.
Not looking back at the article ahead of time. You do not want to be trying to recall an
article that you read weeks or months ago on the spot.

Have you heard about any public

health campaigns recently? What is
 your opinion on the role of public
health campaigns in medicine?
Answer Guide:
Public health campaigns aim to raise public awareness about issues like the dangers of
smoking or sun exposure, for example. They are important because they promote a
healthier lifestyle which is intended to reduce the prevalence of disease in the
population in the long run.
Give an example of a recent campaign that you have heard about. This can be
researched ahead of time.
Act FAST is one example of a public health campaign which aims to spread awareness
of the symptoms of stroke using the FAST acronym to help people know when to call
999. Other examples can be found on Public Health Englands Campaign Resources
website under Campaigns.
Discuss your opinion on the importance of public health campaigns. What is their
purpose? Do you think they are generally effective or ineffective? Do you think the
funding for this type of campaign is money well spent?

Common Mistakes:
Not having an example ready. It will not take you long to research this beforehand and it
is better if youre able to discuss a specific campaign rather than giving a vague answer.
Failing to mention the long term aim of public health campaigns which is generally to
help reduce the prevalence of disease in society.

Have you thought about what you

would like to specialise in?
Answer Guide:
 You dont have to be certain. In fact, if you are it might seem a little strange, since you
are only 17 and have a lot to learn. So make sure you are interested but open
Pick something that might interest you to show awareness of the specialities out there.
This is your chance to show off about a book youve read, research youve followed, or
a time (maybe on work experience) when youve truly been inspired
If you are going to choose something, it might be better if it is a general speciality
because it shows you are still open to the wider possibilities Medicine offers. Choosing
something too niche might make it seem like you are studying Medicine as a whole for
the wrong reasons
Your answer should be focused on your interest: why a certain pathway appeals to you
and how skills you already have now match that speciality
Know how long training for your chosen speciality is. They may ask you and its good to
show you have done some research and have realistic expectations.
Make it clear that youre aware that your view can change; that youre excited to be
exposed to all aspects of Medicine; and that youve got 5/6 years (hopefully at this
Medical School) to make that decision.

Common Mistakes:
Being overly specific. Theres a danger of getting questioned on topics you dont
understand. In this case, never lie. Talk about the experience/knowledge of this
speciality that you do have and admit you dont know it all
Being negative about certain specialities. You dont really know enough about any
aspect of Medicine yet to rule out anything and you need to show them your hunger to
learn new things

Have you read about any interesting

research recently?
 Answer Guide:
Have a specific example ready. Theres always research in the news. They dont expect
you to know everything back to front, but as a rule its good to have awareness about as
much as possible and a deep understanding about a few select topics
When introducing some research, dont waffle. Mention the key points: topic, method,
outcome, what you found interesting. If the interviewers want to know more then they
will probe further
Strongly consider looking at the research that the Medical School has recently put out.
You could pick one of those studies to talk about. You will score extra points for pointing
out that certain research was pioneered at a certain medical school/hospital

Common Mistakes:
Mentioning an unreliable source, such as a tabloid newspaper. If you do, say that you
looked up the original study or that you looked at the NHS news app which presents
unbiased analysis of the health stories in the news and provides the main points of the
studies/claims
Saying youve read something you havent or pretending to know something you dont.
If you dont know the answer to a specific question, dont panic. They want to find out
what you do know. You can show off your independent thinking and potential by stating
that whilst you dont know, maybe it has to do with

What have you learnt about Medicine

from the doctors youve spoken to?
Answer Guide:
Talk about the doctors youve encountered on your work experience, or through other
interactions, perhaps on a personal level, as a patient or a relative of a patient
 Show understanding of the daily schedule of a (specific type of) doctor: what they do
routinely, what challenges they face and the ways in which they overcome the
challenges (through team work, communication skills etc.)
Show a realistic understanding of working hours, job stress, and the huge responsibility
that doctors carry. But balance this by talking about the rewarding aspects of the job
and how stress can be managed
Acknowledge that theres so much more to learn and thats theres some aspects which
you can only fully understand through experience

Common Mistakes:
Basing your answer on opinions. Stay focused on the practical aspects of Medicine that
youve learnt about
Being overly negative. While realism is appreciated, you must also showcase your
determination, positivity and appetite for a challenge

What do you think is the

most exciting development in
Medicine recently?
Answer Guide:
Do the work before the interview
Keep up to date with medical news in the build up to your interview and keep interesting
articles about medical developments. Read around them and add them to your personal
portfolio so you can revisit them before interview
Pick a specific example which really stands out to you. It should be one that will benefit
a lot of people or has the potential to do so in the future
Be clear and concise in your description: what it is, whos working on it, where did you
come across it and why you think its significant/interesting
 Say how you think it will affect clinical practice and better the lives of patients. By
thinking about this ahead of time, rather than in real time in the interview chair, you will
come across as a strong candidate

Common Mistakes:
Getting too technical. Yes, it looks good if you can speak with some authority on the
science. But stick to what you are comfortable with and understand
Relying on a poor source. If you start talking about something based on a tabloid article,
you might come unstuck. Stick to authoritative sources, like the NHS, BBC, Student
BMJ or New Scientist

What do you think the

most important development in
Medicine has been?
Answer Guide:
As with a creative question (such as how much does the Earth weigh?) this question
requires you to vocalise your thought process in answering the question.
Let the interviewer know your thought process by starting with a phrase like: There are
several different ways that one could answer that question, all of which centre around
how we define importance in medical innovation. For instance, if we were to define
importance as reducing preventable deaths
Some of the areas to think about would include the introduction of the scientific method
to Medicine (which led to the practice of evidence-based medicine); the revolution in
medical training through the development of teaching hospitals (look up William Osler);
the discovery of antibiotics and cellular biology; the use of propaganda and politics to
improve public health (see Stoptober or Change4Life); the institutionalisation and
 centralisation of medicine through Hospitals; the introduction of technology into
Medicine (not just in terms of X-Rays and dialysis machines, but also ordinary
computers).
Bring in your own reading and work experiences to highlight your engagement in
Medicine during the application process. For example, discuss the CT scan that you
saw and its clinical importance.
You MUST finish by saying what single thing you would choose above everything else!
Remember as with all open-ended interview questions, your main job is to communicate
that you have undertaken a wide range of reading and work experience that is informing
your answer. But also that you are logical enough to choose one thing and explain why
you have chosen it.

Common Mistakes:
Not answering the question by selecting the most important development. Instead,
listing a whole range of developments and saying they are equally important.
Not having done enough broader reading to be able to answer the question.

Have you taken on any

extracurricular projects that
demonstrate your interest in
Medicine?
Answer Guide:
Good examples include research placements, EPQs, essays, blogs, first aid training
and any other type of healthcare-based work outside the regular science curriculum
 Example: some sixth forms encourage students to become health champions and
educate other students on issues such as alcohol abuse and obesity. If your school
doesnt do this, why not suggest it? Then you can say you pioneered it at interview
Speak about your involvement with your Medical Society at school. If you are not
heavily involved, correct this before your interview. If your school doesnt have a
Medsoc, start one! Theres a guide in the Teacher Services section of our website
Start by briefly introducing and explaining the project. Then focus on why you chose it,
what you learnt and what particular aspects of the project you enjoyed the most.
Indicate that undertaking said project has inspired you take on similar projects in the
future. Bonus points for linking this with the structure of the universitys course (SSCs,
library projects, intercalated degrees etc.)

Common Mistakes:
Getting too caught up in the technicalities of the specific project. The most important
aspect of your answer should be demonstrating your interest, and your willingness to
put in time outside of your studies to pursue your interest. Dont give everything away;
they can always ask follow up questions
Giving the impression that what youve done so far is the only thing that youre
interested in. You should state that you want to learn about and take on new and
different medically-related projects as well

How important is evidence based

practice in medicine?
Answer Guide:
Have a clear understanding of the definition of evidence based practice in medicine. It is
often abbreviated to EBM (evidence-based medicine) in literature.
 Get across the notion that you understand how it is important to be up-to-date with
recent high quality research that you can translate into clinical practice.
Mention good sources of information that are available to assist you such as NICE
guidelines.
It may be good to come up with a specific example of how medical practice has
changed over the years to demonstrate the importance of evidence based medicine.
Mention the possible risk to patient care if evidence based medicine is not followed.
Talk about the varying level of quality evidence available in different areas of medicine.
For example, there may only be a few research papers that have been published in a
very niche area which affects only a few patients in the whole world.
Show an understanding of how evidence based medicine combines high quality
research with personal clinical experience and patient preferences.
If you saw evidence based medicine in action during your work experience, mention it
and how you think it improved patient care.

Common Mistakes:
Regurgitating word for word definitions on evidence based medicine. Come up with your
own wording.
Focusing too much on what evidence based medicine is and not mentioning how
important it is in medicine, which is what the question is asking.

Knowledge of Medical School

Are you aware of the main method of
teaching at this Medical School?
What do you think are the
advantages of this style of teaching?
 Knowledge of Medical School: what are the
advantages of this schools style of teaching?
Answer Guide:
It is absolutely essential that you know exactly what course structure the Medical School
uses. Is it traditional/tutorial style, integrated, or PBL?
Read more about these course types generally on our website. But also read the
universitys material to find out exactly how they use the structure. There are nuances
involved
Make sure you are using very up-to-date information: universities change structure. For
example, Cardiff now use a variation on PBL called Case-Based Learning (CBL)
Run through how the structure works both in generally and specifically at this
university and, crucially, why you think it is an excellent way to learn and why it suits
you very well
Focus more on the positives of the course structure they use, rather than fixating on the
negatives of other systems
Some lecture-based advantages: dissemination of information is more consistent from
lectures, and one can be sure that the information is correct and relevant to the course
and exams. It means that everybody receives the same body of material, and thus a
level playing field for the exams
Some PBL advantages: working in teams and developing people skills are central to the
medical profession, and as such PBL can be a good way to simulate this working style.
The earlier you get used to working together in teams, with the challenges this brings,
the better
 Be aware of whether the medical school does/does not offer dissection as part of the
anatomy teaching, and be prepared to speak about the advantages of either approach

Common Mistakes:
Not knowing the course type. Saying something like I dont really know but imagine that
there will be a mixture of lectures and practical sessions is very unimpressive
Knowing the course type used but not being able to speak about it in detail. How can
you commit to something to a number of years without understanding it?
Saying that it doesnt really matter to you because you are confident in your ability to
thrive in any learning environment. Thats not accurate: it does matter

Do you think cadaveric dissection is

important for medical students?
Answer Guide:
First, you should know whether this is something that the Medical School youre
applying to does or not, and factor this into your thinking
On the positive side, it could be a good way to learn about the body, as plastic models
and animations can only ever approximate anatomical structures
It also brings certain gravity to anatomy teaching, and dissecting a real human body can
be a very inspiring and humbling experience
However, cadavers are not the only way to learn anatomy. Sometimes models can be
helpful to generalise structures or represent things in a slightly different way that aids
with ones learning of a particular structure
Sometimes abstractions are the best way of learning about something, while seeing the
real thing is the most effective way of understanding it. Therefore, a mix of cadaveric
dissection and model-based teaching is probably a desirable thing
 Common Mistakes:
Not knowing what cadaveric dissection is. This is a key part of learning about the body
and you have to get to grips with it
Not knowing what the universitys stance is. This leaves you playing an uncomfortable
guessing game, where you do not know whether to expound the positives or be more
withdrawn
Expressing trepidation (e.g. I think I would find that revolting and probably wouldnt
want to try those sessions out). The human body is what Medicine is all about
Saying that you dont think that cadavers can be very useful, because doctors work with
living patients and not dead ones

Why did you put this medical school

as your first choice?
Answer Guide:
Make clear that you considered the type of teaching of the Medical School and how it is
used, compared it to various others. This is where your knowledge of medical school is
particularly important!
If course structure has not already been covered as a standalone question, make clear
why you think that their course structure is a great fit for you
Pick out any key unique selling points that make this university stand out, and explain
why you think they are important
Once you have covered the course, you can talk about the extracurricular activities and
societies at the university
A good approach is to say that you are looking for somewhere that offers excellence in
teaching, as well as good opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities
Make it clear that you are really passionate about their Medical School by saying
something like I would be delighted to have the chance to study here
 Common Mistakes:
Emphasising the location before anything else. For example, saying you want to attend
a great institution like Imperial because its in Central London and living in South
Kensington would be cool. Start with the course!
Not knowing the course structure properly and consequently saying things that
demonstrate a lack of knowledge of medical school, such as I like the PBL teaching
approach when PBL is not used there
Talking about anything to do with nightlife or bars!

Are you aware of the catchment area

of the teaching hospitals that this
Medical School has?
Answer Guide:
This is another essential to familarise yourself with before the interview
First, you need to know the process: what is the relationship between Medical Schools
and their teaching hospitals and how does this help improve your training towards
becoming a doctor
It is essential you know which hospitals are associated with the Medical School, what
they are like and where they are. They arent always very close!
Therefore, you will be able to tell them you know that the school is associated with
hospitals in x area, and that you like the idea of being sent on placement to hospitals in
that area
It is important as a Medical Student to get a window into as many parts of the NHS as
possible, so being sent on placement to the various hospitals associated with this
Medical School will be a good opportunity to do that

Common Mistakes:
 Not understanding the concept of teaching hospitals and how their association with the
Medical School works
Not knowing which hospitals are associated with the university
Saying that you are aware that students can get sent to regional hospitals but that you
hope that you are able to do all your placements in the city, as it will be far more
convenient and exciting

This university offers a wide range

of extra-curricular societies
reflecting the diversity of students
and courses we have here. If you
were a student here, which societies
would you be interested in joining?
Answer Guide:
Remember that some universities, like Imperial, place a lot of emphasis on
extracurricular activity because it demonstrates you are a well-rounded candidate
If you are not interested in anything other than Medicine, you may look too insular, so
you should have thought about this and had a look at what societies are available at the
university
If there is something that you already do, like a sport, then that will be a natural thing to
bring up. If you can cite something particular about this universitys club (e.g. their
results last year) that is a plus
Example: I would like to get involved with the x (e.g. hockey) society, because it has
been a hobby of mine for some years, and I feel I could contribute to the university
team, who got to the semi-finals last year
 If you do not have a natural fit, show that you are proactive and open-minded by
speaking about some things you havent tried before but would like to at university
Example: I would like to try out x (e.g. karate), because I have not tried it before and I
would really like to see if it is something I enjoy.
Example: I would like to learn about x (e.g. Arabic) because it has always fascinated
me, but I have never had the opportunity to pursue this.

Common Mistakes:
Being dismissive of extracurricular activities and not seeming like a well-rounded
candidate. Saying something like I imagine I will have too much studying to be doing to
be getting involved in any activities like this is dangerous ground
Being closed minded and saying something like trying new things is not something that
I am really interested in or I already am part of clubs for all of the activities that I enjoy
doing, and so would not need to join any new student societies

What would you do if you fell behind

on this course?
Answer Guide:
Places at Medical School are precious commodities for universities. The course is also
incredibly challenging. This question is designed to see if you have the self-awareness
to recognise that things might go wrong and that you know would deal with difficulty in
the right way.
First of all, if you have done your research on the Medical School and know what
pastoral care, learning support and peer support is on offer, then you are well placed to
answer this question.
You will want to structure your answer by saying something like this: Well, of course
who I approached for help would depend on the nature of the problem I was having and
 how long I had been experiencing the problem for. But for serious problems, I would
probably
And then run through an ordered list of the people you would turn to.
For serious problems, you would typically: Speak to your personal tutor first (who will
direct you to the most appropriate Faculty member). Next would be the Course Director.
Next would be the University Support team. You might also consider peer support (e.g.
student peers or mentors) or asking the Students Union for support.
If you havent done any research and have no idea what support is offered by the
university, then say that your first reaction would be to speak to a member of the Faculty
and seek the help and support you felt you would need to get back on track. (Then do
your research for your next interview!)
If you have experience of failure or difficulties studying (but have overcome them), then
feel free to speak about them. It shows experience and resilience but phrase it in the
right way so that it doesnt come across as a weakness (i.e. DONT SAY: Oh I always
seem to struggle with everything at first).

Common Mistakes:
Saying I dont know or not knowing enough about the Medical School to know what
kind of support is provided.
Saying that you have never failed before and do not expect to at Medical School.

What is your knowledge of the

health of the local population?
Answer guide:
Your answer should aim to show an interest in the local area in which you will be based
as a medical student, where you are likely to interact with patients on placements.
 It is a good idea to comment on prevalent diseases in the local population. For example,
in East London, there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis.
You may wish to speak about how the health of the local population is affected. Are
there a string of fast food outlets and lack of healthy alternatives available in the local
area? Can you briefly explain how this kind of diet affects peoples health?
If the medical school or associated teaching hospitals have been involved in any public
health campaigns recently, mention them and how you think they will aim to improve the
health of local people.
Is there a trend that is clear to see? You may wish to comment on people becoming
healthier or a decline in health.
Are there any cultural factors involved? People from different backgrounds have
differing approaches to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Interacting with a diverse population with different health conditions is useful in the
training and experience of a medical student and doctor. Mention how this is likely to
make you a better doctor in future.
If you have met a patient with a condition typical of the local population to the medical
school, you may wish to reflect on that experience.

Common Mistakes:
Being too critical of people for their ill health. Often people suffer from conditions which
are far out of their control. Showing empathy is a huge part of being a doctor.
Not knowing about the general health of the local area. Even if there may not be any
unique diseases that are prevalent in that area, there is always a common health
condition you can mention.

Why is uncontrolled use of

antibiotics a dangerous thing? What
can we do about it?
Answer Guide:
 Antibiotics are used to treat a wide range of infections, ranging from life threatening
conditions to common respiratory tract infections
They are our only defence against many of these illnesses, but can become ineffective
as bacteria have the ability to develop mutations that protect themselves from the drugs
The more antibiotics are used, the more likely it is that bacteria will develop protection
against them. It is therefore important to use them sparingly so that we have effective
antibiotics to combat life threatening conditions for as long as possible
Continued medical research is an essential tool that could create new drugs that
bacteria are not resistant to
Changes to clinical practice, encouraging doctors not to prescribe antibiotics to those
who do not necessarily require them, could help
Public health campaigns could highlight these issues, encouraging patients not to
request antibiotics when they have the common cold, for example

Common Mistakes:
Saying that we need to stop giving away antibiotics to every patient who requests them
because patients need to understand that it is the doctors decision whether to provide
these drugs
Belittling patients who want antibiotics or doctors who prescribe them too quicky. For
example, saying that prescribing antibiotics are an easy way of keeping a patient happy

What role do public health

campaigns like anti-smoking TV
adverts have in the NHS, and why is
this a good way to spend NHS
resources?
 Answer Guide:
Pay close attention to health campaigns. These are used a lot and are seen as a
significant weapon against disease and a way of safeguarding the NHS
Although healthcare professionals are well equipped to deal with a huge range of
medical conditions, they are overstretched and under-funded. Prevention of disease is a
major way that this burden can be, to a degree, alleviated
Through education, it is possible to make people aware what causes certain diseases,
and therefore to encourage them to cut down on such practices. This can both improve
the quality of their lives and ensure NHS resources are well used on other patients
However, it is important to note that not all diseases are preventable through education.
Cancer, for example. So this is not a catch all solution
Think also from a scientific and analytical perspective: how measurable are the results
of these campaigns? Try to look up some statistics online
Whether this is good or bad is probably too black and white: it ultimately depends on
effectiveness, which links to the cost/reward ratio on a campaign basis and requires
constant monitoring

Common Mistakes:
Viewing this kind of campaign as unimportant when set against the serious business of
saving lives through medical activity. Saying for instance, that people never really listen
to TV adverts and it is a waste of money
Being closed minded and not seeing all sides of the debate. Instinctively believing that
money needs to be spent on hiring more doctors, as they are the ones who actually
treat the patients
Not recognising the power of prevention an increasing trend, which you need to be
aware of
 Is mental health an area of concern
for the NHS, and if so why?
Answer Guide:
Mental health conditions can be a terrible burden for somebody suffering from them,
and it is the duty of the NHS to help them
Modern society is increasingly fraught and stressful for many people, and this can lead
to a wide range of mental health problems
Mental health conditions can also lead to physical problems
Mental and physical health care are both equally important when considering the health
of a whole person, and mental health should therefore be receiving a significant amount
of NHS resources
Recently, this has been a focus for many of the political parties, and the Liberal
Democrats focused on mental health as a flagship policy in the 2015 election

Common Mistakes:
Saying that the NHS is charged with treating serious conditions like trauma and cancer,
and mental health should be dealt with by other services
Believing that depression is not that serious and that psychologists can sort out things
like that

Should vaccinations of children

against common infectious diseases
be compulsory?
Answer Guide:
First, as with so many questions of this type, it is important to establish the basic facts
before getting into detail
 Despite medical progress, preventable disease continues to affect millions of people,
and vaccines for many of these are readily available. Vaccinating children is one way of
halting their spread
The consequences of a parents child becoming infected are not just borne by that child,
or that parent, but also the local community, who are at risk as well
However, forcing vaccination on all school children might be seen as overly paternalistic
and parents may see this as a loss of their freedom to choose how to care for their child
In terms of the four pillars, this comes down to a choice between autonomy and non-
maleficience its a difficult balancing act

Common Mistakes:
Taking up a partisan position based on personal opinion
Even if you have a very strong personal opinion, it is better to walk through the
arguments on both sides

A recent study estimated that by

2050 more than half of the UK
population could be obese. Is this a
cause for concern and if so, why?
Answer Guide:
Start by recognising that the issue has been in the news and cite anything you may
have read or heard to corroborate this. If you have seen the study, say who it was by to
really impress the interviewers
Move on to the problem itself. Why might obesity cause concern? Well, obesity is
associated with a wide range of health problems, including diabetes and osteoarthritis,
among others
 These lead to a low quality of life for the person affected. Furthermore, their consequent
conditions can cost the NHS. This is already a huge drain of NHS resources, so it is
worrying that the trend is going up
It is therefore the interest of the NHS, and the population as a whole, to try to combat
the rise of obesity
In most cases obesity is preventable and manageable, and can be reduced with
exercise and diet advice. So, there is hope that even though the study estimates a spike
in obesity numbers, these can be brought down with hard work

Common Mistakes:
Failure to see all the angles. There are lots of stakeholders in this problem: the patient,
the NHS and the population as a whole. Try to see the big picture
Believing that the NHS shouldnt be involved in giving lifestyle advice; it should stick to
treating illnesses

Do you agree that people should be

charged for attending A&E with non-
life-threatening ailments?
Answer Guide:
Before tackling this controversial issue, you need to establish the context and signal
your awareness of what the issue that this question relates to: the crisis in A&E
departments across the NHS.
Since 2004, A&E Departments have been set a target of seeing, treating and
discharging (or admitting) patients within 4 hours of attendance. These figures are
tracked and reported each quarter and are the benchmark for A&E performance.
 In October 2015, NHS England had missed this target in 13 out of 14 months in the
previous periods. This led Dr Clifford Mann President of the Royal College of
Emergency Medicine to declare the A&E system at full capacity and near-to-
breaking-point.
Pressures on A&E are complex and are driven by a number of intersecting factors:
Demographic factors (an aging and more long-term disease affected population); Lack
of GP appointments (actually a myth with the real problem being lack of awareness of
how to contact out-of-hours GPs); Staff shortages (between 2012-2015 a third of the
A&E workforce quit the specialty).
And of course, increased attendances. When tackling the actual question you need to
acknowledge that a proportion of these attendances are most likely non-life-threatening.
But acknowledge that: It is very difficult to determine which attendances are life-
threatening and which arent (a headache can be nothing or it could be a subdural
haemorrhage). It is unreasonable to expect the lay public to be able to determine what
is an emergency and what is not. The NHS Constitution states that access to care at the
point of need is a right (would charging remove that access for low-income families?).
Would instituting a charge deter sick people from attending and cause an increase in
preventable deaths?
There are an enormous number of Fors and Againsts for this question! Remember to
structure your answer in a logical order and use any clinical experience where
appropriate.

Common Mistakes:
Simply agreeing or disagreeing with the statement without any logical reasoning.
Going down the rabbit hole and speaking continuously without structuring your answer.
 What is your opinion on the junior
doctors contract situation?
Answer Guide:
You need to have a basic understanding of the organisations involved in the contract
dispute such as the Department of Health and the British Medical Association.
The proposed contract only affects doctors in England as the health authorities in other
UK countries have decided to stick to the previous contract for now.
Have an understanding of who a junior doctor is.
Mention how patient care and working conditions are the key areas of concern.
Comment on how you felt the media coverage portrayed the situation and whether you
think it was biased or not.
Mention how a good contract leads to efficient doctors who are able to provide the best
quality care for patients.
You might want to mention how there is a lack of doctors in the workforce and how this
has contributed towards the push for a better contract. A better contract would increase
doctor numbers so that safe levels of patient care can be delivered.
Mention the positive aspects of the dispute, such as how it has united a profession of
doctors to stand up for what they believe in.
As long as you are balanced and not too polarised in your opinion, you will be in safe
territory.

Common Mistakes:
Holding a strong opinion against a certain individual or organisation. It is likely that there
are nuances to the situation you are not aware of and in any case, it is good practice to
criticise ideas and not the individual.
Being unrealistic of your assessment of the situation. It is unlikely for a doctors contract
to provide six figure salaries for all doctors in all specialties.

How much does a mountain weigh?

 Answer Guide:
As with all questions of this sort, you wont be able to get an exact answer. They are
looking for you to talk through a systematic methodology. It is about applying reasoning
and scientific rationale to an unusual scenario
You dont have to answer straight away. Take a little time to map out a good starting
point. Ask for a moment if you need. But you do have to start articulating your thought
process at some point probably before you know it is complete
You should ask logical questions, such as: what shape is the mountain? How tall is it?
And what is the radius of the base?
Getting these parameters would allow you to use an appropriate mathematical formula,
such as the one for the volume of a cone: one third pie r squared, multiplied by height
If they are not prepared to provide any further information, then you would need to work
out how you would get some of these answers, like consulting existing maps
You can then ask about other important factors that will have a major impact, like the
type of mountain it is and what type of rock it is made out of. Perhaps you would take a
rock as a sample and extrapolate the weight

Common Mistakes:
Freezing. You have to articulate some sort of logical thought process.
Thinking for a moment and then coming out with a random number. Even if, by great
chance, this was accurate, it defeats the purpose of the exercise

How different would the world be if

the wheel wasnt invented?
Answer Guide:
Again, this is about implementing a logical process in a difficult situation and covering
all the angles. You might begin by talking about uses of the wheel currently
 Transport would be a good starting put, since a lot of types of transport depend on the
wheel e.g. cars, bikes, aeroplanes, boats with wheel engines
Be creative, though. Wheels are used for transport but try to cover as many angles as
possible to show you can think outside the box
What about water wheels in electricity production? In machinery, the wheel evolved into
gears and propellers. So without the wheel all these areas would be affected
You might want to speculate on whether humans would have created alternatives or
whether the advancements made possible by the wheel would simply not have been
made
Then move ahead to the next logical step. What are the implications of this? Would it
have affected the evolution of society? (The world would definitely be a smaller place)
Remember, the wheel has also affected lots of other major things, like war and trade.
You should try to cover as many bases as possible. You might spark some lively
debate, which could even end up being quite fun

Common Mistakes:
Not considering all the various implications, causes and effects. Its obvious to say that
there would be no cars, but you need to show that you think out of the box.

How many words are there in an

average book?
Answer Guide:
You need to get as much detail as you can before launching headlong down what could
be a logical rabbit hole
First, establish what type of book it is. You can ask but they might not say. In which
case just state that youre assuming it is, say, a novel, because this makes life easier (if
 it were a textbook for example, there would be diagrams and tables; this differs a lot
from book to book)
Think logically. Start with the average number of pages in a novel. This doesnt have to
be right, just reasonable. Always use round numbers, so you can multiply them out
without causing a huge headache. In this case lets say 300 pages.
Then, estimate how many words are on each page. Again, break this down. Possibly
twenty lines, each with ten words. So 200 words
300 multiplied by 200 equals 60,000 words
However, to really show you are thinking of all angles, estimate how many pages would
be wordless (or have less words e.g. dedication and review pages). Say this is
equivalent to ten wordless pages.
10 multiplied by 200 equals 2,000 words. Subtracting this from 60,000, means that your
average book is 58,000 words long

Common Mistakes:
Coming out with a random number. This question is evaluating your thought process. It
might be that your mother is an author and you know the answer, but they want to see
you talk a problem through, so try to respect that
Using difficult numbers. Saying that each page has 184 words and there are 317 pages
will leave you with some difficult sums to do

To what extent do you think fear is

beneficial?
Answer Guide:
This is an example of a more abstract, and less process-driven, creative interview
question, and as such it requires a slightly different process
You should take a moment to think up a balanced argument, which reflects both sides
of the situation. You cant be black and white about such a complex and subjective
issue
 Arguments for: inhibition, in the sense of keeping yourself out of dangerous situations, is
an evolutionary instinct to promote self-preservation. It modulates your relationships
with other people and it gives you a social conscience
Arguments against: fear can limit your human experience. It is not always necessary,
and it can be dictated by your past encounters with certain stimulus. Past a certain point
it can be detrimental to your heath
You could then link the question to the medical environment
Disease puts patients in vulnerable situations in which there is an element of fear and
this can be harmful when it comes to good decision making. You should make it clear
that you understand that fear will have an impact on your interactions with patients
There will be moments in your career where you may be unsure of your decisions and
fear the possible outcomes/consequences. This is natural, and you should show an
awareness of this
You could also state that this will lessen as you gain more experience and confidence,
and that even when you are worried you would be confident that you acted within
guidelines, consulted your colleagues and made a reasonable decision

Common Mistakes
Giving a one-sided answer. Questions like this merit more than a simple binary answer
of yes or no, good or bad. You have to recognise, and show that you can
appreciate, the shades of grey and complexity involved

Why do we wear shoes?

Answer Guide:
Another esoteric-sounding question that requires you to think logically about something
that we usually take for granted
 Though it seems quite arresting, this question isnt too bad if you think about the
practicalities, which is the key to a lot of creativity questions
Shoes are a social norm. Most people have never questioned why we wear shoes
because that is what is generally accepted. Not wearing shoes is considered abnormal.
But was it always this way? And what could have led to it becoming so? Perhaps it
made walking long distances and hunting easier, centuries ago
From a functional perspective, shoes are protective. They prevent injury. Some shoes,
like steel toe work shoes, are designed specifically for this function. What other
functions require specific shoes? Hiking, climbing etc. Or sport?
Consider different cultures. Dont only think about your perspective this is part of
what can help you stand out. There are many groups of people in other parts of the
world that actually dont wear shoes
Of course, there are also aesthetics to consider. People put a lot of thought into how
they look and this extends to their shoes. Many women wear shoes they consider
uncomfortable to increase their height or make their legs look longer
From here, you could contrast the functional reasons you touched upon earlier with the
recent (first world) shift towards aesthetics. Be creative!

Common Mistakes:
Feeling inhibited. Sometimes questions like this, where there are no short and simple
answers, make people retreat into a shell. They are afraid to speak about ideas, rather
than certainties, at the risk of sounding silly.
Not practising this kind of discussion. By getting used to thinking this way, either with
friends, or around the table at a family meal, you can train you mind to think creatively.

If you were stranded in a remote

rainforest and trying to escape, who
 is one person you would want to
accompany you and why?
Answer guide:
Take some time to think about a few people, then single it down to one person and be
prepared to explain why.
Go through the thought process of who you would want with you. Mention both practical
and personal reasons to give a unique answer.
This question has an underlying theme of teamwork. Think about how you would work
with the person to come up with the best means of escape.
If you are struggling to come up with someone, there may have been someone in your
life that has always been reliable. Pick them as a safe choice.
You may wish to draw on personal experiences you had with this person where you
were able to work towards a goal effectively.
You may wish to show interest in the question by asking questions of your own, such as
what equipment you would have access to. If the person you have picked is good with
navigational equipment, you could mention that.

Common Mistakes:
Not choosing anyone and sticking to yourself. Although you may think this is a clever
answer showing off how capable you are, this is likely to backfire as it gives off a sense
of overconfidence.
Focusing solely on how you would escape. Although a chance to show off your
creativity, this is not answering the question in its entirety.

How many atoms are there in a glass

of water?
 Answer Guide:
With a question like this, the interviewers are interested in your thought process rather
than an actual solution to the problem so talk them through your thinking step by step
when giving your answer.
Think about the problem practically and take into account the different values you would
need to know in order to reach a solution. You will be using logical reasoning as well as
some scientific knowledge in your answer.
How much water is in the glass? Think about the dimensions of the glass and how full it
is which would allow you to work out the volume of water that it contains. Depending on
the shape of the glass, think about which formula would allow you to deduce this
volume such as

V = pi(r) x h2

for a cylindrical glass where h is the height that the

water comes to.
Once you know how to find the volume of water, you need figure out the number of H 2O
molecules that that volume would contain. Chemistry at A or AS level is a requirement
for prospective medical students at certain colleges such as Kings College
Cambridge so some chemistry knowledge may be required in answering questions such
as this.
By dividing the mass of water in the glass by the molar mass of H2O, you would be able
to calculate the number of moles present.
Avogadros number 6.02 x 1023 multiplied by the number of moles of H2O would tell you
how many molecules of H2O the glass contains. As H2O is comprised of 3 atoms,
multiplying this answer by 3 would give you your solution.

Common Mistakes:
This type of question is all about how you approach the problem; you probably wont
have time to plan out your entire answer before responding so just take the problem
step by step, explaining your thought process as you go.
 Trying to give a precise number. This is not what interviewers are interested in and
theres no way of you actually coming up with the correct figure.

Which has more value: creativity or

knowledge?
Answer Guide:
This question is more abstract and requires you to give a balanced argument in which
you address the value of both creativity and knowledge. As the question is pretty broad,
consider giving some general examples of why each quality is important but then
relating your answer back to how each applies to the practice of medicine.
For creativity Creativity can lead to innovative solutions to societal problems as well
as new developments in fields such as technology. Whilst most people are able to
acquire knowledge, it could be argued that creativity is a rarer quality and cannot be
learnt so is therefore more valuable.
For knowledge It takes time and hard work to acquire knowledge which makes it
extremely valuable; the fees that students pay to attend university are an example of the
value we place on knowledge.
Consider discussing the roles of creativity and knowledge in medicine.
It is crucial that doctors are knowledgeable about the scientific basis of medicine in
order to inform clinical diagnosis and decision making. Knowledge also allows scientists
to inform their research by using the knowledge we currently possess to pave the way
for new medical discoveries.
Creativity may also be considered important in medicine as it can help lead to new,
innovative ideas about how to run hospitals more efficiently, train medical students more
effectively, or use drugs in new and different ways, for example.
Consider concluding by stating your opinion on which quality has more value, both in
general and for a doctor specifically.
 Common Mistakes:
Worrying about what the interviewers want to hear. There is no correct answer to a
question like this and you will be given credit for your answer as long as you provide a
balanced argument and proper justification for your opinion.
Being thrown off by broad nature of the question. If you are struggling to come up with
more general points, consider linking the question back to the practice of medicine.
When dealing with these questions, try to apply the 4
pillars of ethics:
Autonomy Does it show respect for the patient and their right to make decisions?
Non-maleficence Does it harm the patient?
Justice Are there consequences in the wider community?
Beneficence Does it benefit the patient?

Ethics
What do you understand about
euthanasia? Does euthanasia have a
place in modern medicine?
Answer Guide:
First things first, what is euthanasia? This is the term given to describe actions taken to
deliberately end someones life, often to relieve suffering. There are many different
types of euthanasia, such as active euthanasia, passive euthanasia, voluntary
euthanasia and involuntary euthanasia
Establish the fact that this is a complicated issue with lots of shades of grey and no
straightforward answer
 While weighing up both sides, think of the four pillars of medical ethics: justice,
autonomy, benevolence and non-maleficience. All of these play a pivotal role in this
issue
Start with legality, if you know it, since it is the most clear cut. Currently, in the UK active
euthanasia and assisted suicide is against the law. However in Belgium, Luxembourg
and Holland, active euthanasia is legal. In countries such as Switzerland and Germany,
active euthanasia is illegal but assisted suicide and passive euthanasia are both legal.
Make sure keep up to date with any changes
Euthanasia allows the patient to exercise their right to decide their own fate and end
suffering (benevolence). However, arguments against euthanasia include the principles
of the Hippocratic Oath which state a doctor shall do no harm, and the related ethical
concept of non-maleficence
Assessing mental capacity and competency of patients (Mental Capacity Act 2005) is
crucial in the discussion of euthanasia, as legalisation of this could potentially put
vulnerable adults at risk
Some cases of patients who have travelled abroad for these end of life services have
also been a hot topic in the media so it would be good to reference any of these cases
that you are aware of
The discussion of euthanasia is a sensitive one and thus it is always best to look to the
ethical guidelines provided by the GMC

Common Mistakes:
Starting with a strong view point one way or the other. It is important to establish that
this is a complicated issue with arguments for both sides and to present these in a
balanced way
Not using the four pillars of ethics. These should be referenced throughout balancing of
the two sides of the argument
 Do you agree with abortion? What
are the ethical issues here?
Answer Guide:
Start by acknowledging that this is a complex issue with two sides and lots of shades of
grey. Then walk through both in a balanced way, showing an appreciated of the four
pillars of ethics.
Is it legal? Under current UK legislation (The Abortion Act) an abortion can only be
carried out if certain criteria are met: the pregnancy is in its first 24 weeks, it is carried
out in a hospital or licenced clinic and two doctors must agree that an abortion would
cause less damage to a womans physical or mental health than continuing the
pregnancy. In rare situations, an abortion may also be allowed to be carried out after 24
weeks
If we consider patient autonomy, there is a case to say that patients should have the
right to have an abortion if they wish
Considering the ethical concept of beneficence, first, it is important to have the best
interests of the mother at the centre of their healthcare (both psychological and physical
well-being). Secondly, an abortion may be the most loving thing to do in the case of a
foetus with severe deformities, as this presents issues with quality of life
Non-maleficence it is important to prevent any harm and thus considering the harm to
both the mother and the foetus is important in the discussion of abortion. It is also
important to consider the sanctity of life and some, based on this principle, may
disagree with abortion. But its quite subjective
As with all consultations, confidentiality must be upheld in the case of abortions
The discussion of abortion is a sensitive one and thus it is always best to look to the
ethical guidelines provided by the GMC

Common Mistakes:
 Starting with a strong view point one way or the other. It is important to establish that
this is a complicated issue with arguments for both sides and to present these in a
balanced way
Not using the four pillars of ethics. These should be referenced throughout balancing of
the two sides of the argument

A patient refuses treatment for a life-

threatening condition. Discuss the
ethical issues involved.
Answer Guide:
In a scenario like this there are many ethical issues involved. It is important to look at
each one individually, in order to fully understand and weigh up the scenario
First of all, if we consider the duty of the doctor. In a case like this is it crucial the doctor
fully informs the patient of the benefits of the treatments and the risks associated with
not having the treatment
If we consider the concept of patients autonomy, then doctors must respect the
decision made by a patient. However, patient autonomy is not absolute, particularly if a
patient is not competent
Beneficence and non-maleficence often link together and this is no exception. The most
beneficial thing to do may be to provide the patient with the treatment they need.
However, if this is against the patients wishes this might do more harm than good.
Whatever the patients decision may be, doctors must continue to provide the best care
in the patients best interests.
Always be clear that you would adhere to the GMCs guidelines

Common Mistakes:
 Not knowing about autonomy. You need to be clear about all of the four pillars of ethics.
This is a key one that trips many people up

A 14 year old patient goes to the GP

and asks for the oral contraceptive
pill. Discuss the ethical issues
involved.
Answer Guide:
As usual, we start by using the four pillars of medical ethics as a framework
Currently, under UK Legislation, those under the age of 16 are not able to give consent
to sexual activity. It is always important to consult the GMC and their ethical guidelines
on young people and sexual activity for the most up to date information
If we begin with the duty of the doctor, they must fully inform the patient of the benefits
of the treatments/protected sex and the risks associated with not having the
treatment/unprotected sex. The doctor also has a duty to society to ensure the safety of
their patients and ensure child protection and safety
Therefore, competence is a major aspect to consider. Establishing and assessing
competence (Gillick competence) is also very important in a case like this to ensure
sexual abuse is not taking place and for child safety
Autonomy doctors must respect the decision made by a patient. However, patient
autonomy is not absolute, again linking to assessing competence, which will be an
important part of this answer
Beneficence and non-maleficence doctors must continue to provide the best care in
the patients best interests, and their personal views must not interfere with their
professional duties
 It is also important to consider confidentiality and the effect on the doctor-patient
relationship, which is built upon trust

Common Mistakes:
Being judgemental. Saying something like 14-year-olds shouldnt be engaging in sexual
activity in the first place is a red flag

A patient diagnosed with HIV reveals

to their GP they have not disclosed
this information to their partner.
Discuss the ethical issues involved.
Answer Guide:
This is a complex scenario and its important to consider and apply each of the four
pillars of ethics
The doctor must fully inform the patient of the risks associated with not disclosing this
information and encourage them patient to disclose this information to the partner,
themselves. The doctor also has a duty to protect and ensure the safety of society
(justice) and, based on these grounds, may choose to make a disclosure to the patients
partner about the patients HIV status. However, this would be a last option and the
doctor would need to inform the patient of their actions.
Autonomy this links to patients autonomy, as doctors must respect the decision made
by a patient. But patient autonomy is not absolute, particularly in a case like this where
society/another patient is at risk. In this case, confidentiality may be broken, which may
also affect the doctor- patient relationship
Beneficence and non-maleficence doctors must continue to provide the best care in
the patients best interests. When making a disclosure, it is important to weigh up the
 benefits (protecting another patients health) against harm (could affect the doctor-
patient relationship and future disclosures)
You can say to the interview panel that it is always important and helpful to consult the
GMCs ethical guidelines in cases like this

Common Mistakes:
Not knowing but claiming you do. If you are aware of the above thats great. If you think
you are, then say that you are not sure but you think it is the case. If you dont know the
legalities then be honest about it
Using common sense. You cant just come up with a common sense reply, like logically
you should tell the partner. You have to be aware of the legal ramifications

You are a medical student at this

School. One day in the teaching
hospital, you see one of your fellow
students putting medical equipment
from the stock room into their bag.
When you ask them about it, they
say they only want to practise their
clinical skills and not to tell anyone.
What would you do?
Answer Guide:
 This question is designed to examine your awareness of the duties of a medical school
and a doctor according to the GMC publications Good Medical Practice and Tomorrows
Doctors.
The first thing you must do when answering this question is explain what the dangers of
the situation are: practicing clinical skills without supervision could lead to the student
seriously harming themselves; taking equipment from a hospital is a serious breach of
ethics and could risk lives (if that equipment leads to a shortage of supplies); the
students actions (while well-meaning) are not in keeping with the professional
standards of a doctor; if you do not report this act, you are also not acting in accordance
with these standards and risk being sanctioned or removed from the Medical School.
You should also explain the risks of the situation: if you confront the student, they may
react negatively; the student may have received permission from someone to do this
(unlikely, but possible); such an incident could damage the ties between the teaching
hospital and the university.
Acknowledge what your authority is and therefore how you should approach the
situation. You are not a doctor, nor are you a Faculty member. You therefore need to
approach the student in a calm and supportive manner and not threaten them with
negative outcomes.
I would encourage the student to see the danger of their actions, to come clean about
what they have done and support them emotionally with any difficulties that might have
led them to such a drastic act.
If the student refused to act, I would then approach a Faculty member and discretely
report the situation.

Common Mistakes:
Not having read Good Medical Practice or having an appreciation for the standards you
will need to live up to as a doctor or medical student.
Immediately confronting the student without outlining your concerns and the reasons for
your actions.
 Reporting the student immediately without considering for why the student is behaving
erratically are they suffering from mental stress or anxiety?

Organ donation should be an opt-out

system rather than an opt-in system
in this country. Do you agree or
disagree?
Answer Guide:
Before launching in the standard medical ethics answer framework, set the scene for
the topic by explaining what the question is about!
In December 2015, NHS Wales moved from an opt-in system (where consent for organ
donation must be given or asked for) to an opt-out system (where consent must be
actively removed). The rest of the NHS still operates on an opt-in system but
the BMA actively campaigns for an opt-out system.
Each year around 1,000 patients die while waiting for a transplant. The UK has one of
the highest family refusal rates for organ donation of any developed nation 43% of
families refuse consent following a relatives death.
According to public polls around 90% of the population believe in organ donation but
only around a third of people are on the organ register.
After setting the scene, move into the standard ethics answer framework!
Autonomy: An opt-out system obviously has the potential for someone who does not
want to donate an organ to become an organ donor, simply because they did not opt-
out. In Wales it was estimated that up to 30% of the population did not know the system
had changed. On the flip side, at the moment only a third donate organs despite 90%
believing it is the right thing to do so perhaps the opt-in system is the one removing
patient choice?
 Other autonomy arguments: Under the current system, families can refuse to allow
organ donation. This means that families have the power to potentially over-turn the
wishes of the patient, in an emergency situation where the patient cannot express their
view. On the flip side, an opt-in system treats the human body as property of the State
and (it could be argued) goes against the idea of individual sovereignty.
Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: Quite straightforward here. Opt-out systems mean
more organ donors, which means more organs to save more patient lives. It could be
argued that since the organ donor is already deceased, no maleficence can be enacted
upon the donor. But non-consented organ donation would harm the family.
Justice: Patients on the active transplant list require on-going treatment while they wait
for a new organ (such as dialysis). These are expensive treatments. It could be argued
by increasing the rate of organ transplants, we could reduce the NHS deficit or
redistribute saved treatment costs to support other treatments, services or health
research.
Remember to finish by planting your flag. Do you agree or disagree? And why have you
reached that conclusion?

Common Mistakes:
Not explaining what an opt-in versus and opt-out system is and therefore not
demonstrating critical knowledge.
Not demonstrating an appreciation for the pillars of medical ethics.

What does patient confidentiality

mean? When would it be appropriate
to breach this?
Answer Guide:
 Have an understanding of what patient confidentiality means and what kind of
information it covers.
Briefly mention the purpose of having patient confidentiality and how it builds trust in the
doctor-patient relationship.
If you have an example from your work experience where you were shown how patient
confidentiality works, be able to reflect on this.
Then go on to mention different situations where patient confidentiality can be
breached. This may be where the patient poses a significant risk to health of
themselves or others.
Countries may have differing guidance in place about this. Know what your country
recommends by consulting the appropriate literature. An example of an organisation
who sets such guidance is the General Medical Council in the UK.
You may wish to mention implied consent, where a patient is aware that a doctor will
share information about them to other individuals in the healthcare team to provide the
patient with the best possible care.
Mention how it is important to have a conversation with a patient about confidentiality as
a doctor or even medical student.
Mention how one is duty bound as a doctor to abide by the regulations that are in place
to protect patient confidentiality and that professional duty should always come above
personal beliefs.

Common Mistakes:
Not knowing the actual meaning of patient confidentiality.
Not knowing the situations that patient confidentiality is applied in. As a medical student,
you will also be bound by the rules of patient confidentiality.
Mentioning incorrect situations where patient confidentiality can be breached or saying
that it can never be breached. It is better not to mention specific scenarios if you are not
confident that they are correct.
 A 13 year old patient reveals to you
that they are sexually active and that
their parents do not know. What
would you do as a doctor in this the
situation?
Answer Guide:
You must take the legal aspects of this scenario into account. This patient is below the
age of consent which is 16 in the UK but you must also consider doctor-patient
confidentiality.
Explain that you would encourage the patient to make their parents aware that they are
sexually active.
Consider the 4 pillars of ethics here you are concerned with beneficence. You must
take into account the effects that being sexually active might have on the physical and
mental wellbeing of your underage patient. You might also have concerns about
whether the young patient is being taken advantage of.
Doctors may provide advice on sexual health and contraception to underage patients as
long as the young person is capable of understanding this advice and their
physical/mental wellbeing will most likely suffer without it. In general, patient
confidentiality must be respected which means the parents must not be informed.
However, if a doctor deems that the safety or physical or mental wellbeing of an
underage patient is at risk, they have a duty to follow child protection protocol which
means breaching patient confidentiality if it is in the patients best interests.
NICE guidelines are a useful resource when dealing with ethical questions like this.

Common Mistakes:
 Forgetting about the legalities of doctor-patient confidentiality. Even when dealing with a
very young patient, you cannot simply inform their parents of their actions if you are
concerned; you must follow the proper protocol.
Failing to mention the potential risks of such a young patient being sexually active and
the fact that, in some cases, a third party may need to be contacted in order to protect
the patient.

A depressed patient who has

refused treatment has mentioned
having suicidal thoughts and you
are concerned about his well-being.
Discuss the ethical issues involved.
Answer Guide:
When addressing an issue like this it is important to consider the 4 pillars of ethics,
especially non-maleficence, beneficence and patient autonomy in this case.
Mention that it is important to ensure that the patient is aware of and understands the
treatment options available to them so that they can make an informed decision.
Autonomy in this case, the patient has chosen to refuse treatment and, in general,
their decision should be respected.
Beneficence and non-maleficence in this situation, you are concerned about the
patient being a danger to themselves which means that the risk to their wellbeing must
be weighed against the harm that could come from breaching patient confidentiality in
order to protect the individual.
 Consider mentioning the possible repercussions of informing a third party of your
concerns. For example, the patient might be less open about their mental health issues
in the future, having lost trust in their doctor.

Common Mistakes:
Failing to take into account the legalities involved such as the principle of doctor-patient
confidentiality.
Not considering the 4 pillars of ethics. These can help you to structure your answer and
ensure that you touch on some of the points the interviewers are looking for.

Empathy
How would you define empathy to
someone who does not know what it
means?

Empathy: how would you define the term to

somebody who doesnt know what it means?
Answer Guide:
Empathy is understanding another persons feelings or situation, and imagining what it
might be like to experience these things yourself
Phrases such as being in anothers shoes, seeing things through their eyes,
imagining their frame of reference, or similar all suggest empathy
 Distinguish empathy from sympathy. The former is deeper and more involved than the
latter, which merely acknowledges another persons problems or feelings
It involves effective person-to-person communication skills as well as the ability to
understand what another person is feeling
Use examples from your daily life or medical work experience to illustrate when you
have shown this or seen it in action

Common Mistakes:
Thinking that empathy is pretending to know what someone is feeling like in order to
make him or her feel better about the situation
Believing that being empathetic is an easy way of getting someone to trust you
Thinking that empathy is a skill to be utilised only in professional settings, and not in
everyday life

Why is it important for medical

professionals to be empathetic
towards their patients?
Answer Guide:
When a healthcare professional tries to imagine things from the patients point of view it
can reveal to them ways to improve their care which they may not have considered
before
A patient will find it easier to discuss their concerns with somebody who is caring
empathetically for them and has taken the time to try to understand what they are going
through
 A patients feelings, concerns, expectations and ideas are just as important as a
presenting a physical complaint. By engaging with them, a healthcare professional can
better understand these things, and ultimately provide better care
An empathetic healthcare professional will help to make the patient feel at ease, and
that they are valued
Empathy can help to break down the perceived barriers between the patient and the
many healthcare professionals he or she may see, and help to make what can be a
daunting and seemingly anonymous environment more comfortable.

Common Mistakes
Not having a good understanding of empathy. Confusing it with sympathy, or that it is
only used when the doctor thinks the patient is depressed
Being empathetic means I tick the box of being a nice doctor
Thinking too pragmatically. For example, saying that empathy is important because it
gives doctors a good feedback rating

Imagine that you are a medical

student on a hospital ward
placement. How would you explain
to a patient that they need to have
another blood sample taken, as the
results of the last test having been
lost?
Answer Guide:
Put yourself in the shoes of the patient. What might they be worried about?
 They have been through a procedure which they may have found uncomfortable and,
through no fault of their own, are being asked to go through it again
They also might be worried about the privacy issues involved around the loss of their
blood sample
You would need to speak to them clearly and politely but make it absolutely clear what
has happened so they are left in no doubt what has occurred. Do not use euphemisms
Put yourself in their shoes; listen to their concerns and what they have to say
You might say: I am very sorry that you have to have more blood taken
You could also consider saying: I can imagine that you are feeling frustrated about this,
as you have been waiting and have not yet received results for your blood tests
And: Please be reassured that we will not share the results of your test with anyone
outside your medical team. I can see that it might be worrying that your last test was
lost, but we take confidentiality very seriously and will do our absolute best to make sure
that this is preserved

Common Mistakes:
Saying things in a curt, impolite or distant manner. This is likely to further frustrate a
patient who is already going through a lot
Using euphemisms like a small hiccup which might mislead or confuse the patient
about what has happened
Blaming other people. Even if it is somebody elses fault, this will not make the patient
feel any better

Why should members of a

healthcare team show empathy
 towards one another as well as
towards their patients?
Answer Guide:
Working in healthcare (e.g. a hospital) can be very stressful and demanding. Ones
colleagues may need support from somebody who understands this well
Extra-professional circumstances can impact on somebodys ability to do their job, and
if they choose to share problems or concerns with you then it is important to show
empathy and try to understand what they are going through
A better understanding of one another improves a teams ability to work well together
and therefore improves patient care
Working in a hospital can be traumatic or distressing, and this may affect team
members personally. Having empathetic colleagues can make them feel more positive
and that they are well supported in their work

Common Mistakes:
Citing going to the pub with members of the team to build better bonds between you as
an empathetic solution
Saying that working in medicine gives you no time for social activities, so you might as
well be friendly with the people you work with

Is the practice of being an

empathetic healthcare professional
something that you can learn in a
lecture?
Answer Guide:
 Although not the principal medium for learning about empathy, a lecture may give some
insightful points about the effect that being empathetic has on patients, or ideas for how
to go about conducting a good patient interview
However, empathy is intrinsically people-based, and the skill of being empathetic is
therefore developed over time spent with people in ones role as a medical student
By watching other senior healthcare professionals, one may realise the pitfalls in ones
own approach to interacting with patients

Common Mistakes:
Thinking a lecture could give you the stock phrases you need to seem empathetic
Assuming empathy cannot be actively improved upon or learnt about
Viewing empathy as less important than things like anatomy or physiology

Which is more important in

Medicine, being empathetic or being
sympathetic?
Answer Guide:
Start by outlining your personal definition of empathy versus sympathy. This can vary
but the standard definitions are that empathy is the ability to understand how words or
actions impact other people; sympathy is the act of feeling those impacts and
responding affectionately.
Discuss what the core duties of a doctor are and therefore why demonstrating both
empathy and sympathy are critical skills in the execution of those duties.
Doctors are responsible for delivering the best possible care and outcome for the
patient using a combination of academic knowledge, critical reasoning skills and
communication (with colleagues, the patient and their family members). Crucially,
 doctors must not cause harm to the patient or perform a battery (a medical intervention
performed without informed consent).
Empathy is therefore important because it enables a doctor to understand how the
patient may be feeling, what the patient may be expecting in terms of clinical outcome
(i.e. would an elderly patient find limited mobility an acceptable outcome?). But critically,
when interventions are painful or frightening (as in the case of a lumbar puncture or
surgery), it encourages the doctor to communicate fully with the patient the reasons
for the intervention, how it will feel, the risks and the dangers of not proceeding.
Sympathy is important in how a doctor communicates with a patient. For example, when
injecting someone with a needle a doctor who shows empathy but no sympathy would
say: This will hurt, but it wont do any lasting damage so dont make a fuss. A doctor
showing both empathy and sympathy would say: Just to warn you that this might sting
a little, but Ill make it as painless and quick as possible so try to relax and not focus too
much on it. Itll be over in a second.
You have explored the interaction between empathy and sympathy in living up to the
duties of a doctor as outlined in Good Medical Practice.
You now need to say which is more important? Or are they both equally important?
THINK: Are there circumstances where displaying too much sympathy can be
detrimental?
USE YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE if you can cite an example of when you saw these
attributes on show.

Common
Mistakes:

Do not immediately answer the question before outlining your definitions of the terms,
the angle from which you are approaching the question and therefore your argument
leading up to your conclusion. If you do this, you risk muddying your argument and not
following a logical structure.
 Not thinking beforehand about the difference between the two attributes and how it
relates to being a doctor (or any other healthcare professional).

As a doctor, how would you deal

with a parent who has brought their
child into accident and emergency
and is angry about them having to
wait a long time to be seen?
Answer Guide:
Doctors sometimes encounter difficult patients but in a scenario such as this it is
important to demonstrate empathy and appreciate that the individual usually has a
reason for acting the way they are.
Think about ICE ideas, concerns and expectations. Explain how you would find out
why the parent thinks they are having to wait, why they are worried about this, and what
they would want you to do about the situation.
Suggest why a parent might be feeling angry in a situation like this. They are most likely
worried about their child and might think that staff are not doing enough to get patients
seen quickly.
Discuss how you would try to reassure the parent. It is important to appreciate that
someone showing up to A and E may be very distressed and you want to help them be
confident that their child will receive the best care possible.
Parents or patients at A and E may also be stressed for reasons that you might not think
of such as children being left at home or being late for work. This is why it is important
to actually listen to the patient so that they can explain their situation and you can
provide the appropriate support, such as allowing them to use a phone, for example.
 Common Mistakes:
Forgetting about the patient/parent. Explaining how you would get the situation under
control is fine but interviewers are more interested in how you show empathy for
someone who is frustrated or stressed and address their concerns.
Failing to ask the individual about their perspective on the situation. The ICE system is
what medical student are taught to use in a scenario like this.

What would you say to a female

patient who is scared to get the HPV
vaccine which protects against
cervical cancer?
Answer Guide:
With this kind of question it is important to show how you would communicate your
professional opinion whilst respecting the patients concerns and giving them a chance
to explain things from their perspective.
Explain how you would find out which aspects of the vaccination were worrying the
patient; patients want to feel that they are being listened to and taken seriously.
State that you would give the patient the relevant information about what the vaccine
does and why it is important. The patient has a right to know about the treatment being
recommended so that they can make an informed decision.
Mention that you would speak in terms that the patient can understand; as a doctor it is
important to adjust your communication to accommodate different types of people, even
when discussing a treatment that you think might be difficult for them to understand.
Explain that you would not push your opinion on the patient. Although they might not
have your medical expertise, you cannot disregard the patients personal views and,
ultimately, patient autonomy must be respected.
 Common Mistakes:
Not respecting the patients opinion in your answer. Although you might think having the
vaccine is the right thing to do, it is important to recognise the patients concerns as
valid.
Focusing too much on the vaccine itself. This question is about how you would
communicate empathetically with the patient; you dont actually need to know anything
about the HPV vaccine in order to answer.

As a recently-qualified junior doctor,

you are given the chance to perform
your first unsupervised
colonoscopy. During the procedure,
the colonoscope perforates the
colon, resulting in the patient
becoming acutely unwell and dying
just 2 days after. The patients family
has now come to see you; how
would you base your approach to
the situation?
Answer Guide:
This situation could easily be set as a role-play station or one in which you talk though
your thought process.
 Start by describing the setting in which youd want to speak to them private,
comfortable environment without disruption or time pressure.
Explain clearly and truthfully what has happened, the family will appreciate your
honesty.
The family members will no doubt be very upset at the loss of a loved one, throughout
the conversation, be aware of how the family is feeling, listen to any concerns they may
have and dont rush breaking this news.
Given the circumstances arising as a result of a known but rare complication, it may be
appropriate to tell the family that certain measures are now being put in place to prevent
the same complications arising again or to say that you will undergo a phase of
supervised practice for a short period of time.
You should ensure that the family are made aware of counselling services if they were
to want it at such a difficult time, as well as the ability to speak to a more senior doctor

Common Mistakes:
Jumping straight into describing what you would say as mentioned above, start by
describing that this situation evokes very strong emotions and is to be treated delicately.
In stations where you describe your approach to a personal interaction, its easier to be
more flippant as you dont have the direct face-to-face contact make sure you
demonstrate the same level of empathy and respect for patients and their emotions
whether in their presence or not.

What thoughts and feelings will go

through the head of a patient feeling
after having been told that their
 alcoholism has led to irreversible
liver damage?
Answer Guide:
This question aims to find out whether you are able to place yourself in the shoes of a
patient and understand their emotions whilst receiving bad news such as this
First, it may help by defining empathy and demonstrating that you are aware of the
sensitive and delicate nature of this situation
Its important to give examples of what the patient will be feeling alongside a short
description of why as well as how this might change the nature of the consultation. This
will prevent your answer sounding like a list of emotions and will prevent your answer
sounding pre-recorded.
For example: The patient may be feeling guilty and remorseful about their actions and
their respective consequences. It may be very difficult for the patient to hear that such
an effect has come about as a result of their own actions
After having thought about what exactly the patient might be feeling, it may indeed be
worth talking to the interviewer about how you would then interact with the patient given
their thoughts and feelings.
You could discuss if theres any measures you would take in anticipation of this
consultation to make the patient feel slightly better. For instance, by describing the
setting or describing techniques such as signposting.

Common Mistakes:
Going straight into the answer without first talking through the brief to ensure
understanding its belt and braces but its better to be sure that youve fully
understood.
Forgetting that diagnoses such as this are life-long and will affect the individual beyond
the initial response to the diagnosis.

Personal Insight
 What do you think you would find
hardest about being a doctor?

Personal Insight: what do you think you would

find hardest about being a doctor?
Answer Guide:
Your answer to a question like this should show that you are aware of your strengths
and weaknesses. It takes personal insight to recognise the aspects of a career in
medicine that you would struggle with, or that you might find harder to cope with than
your peers.
Your response will depend entirely on you as a person. Some people might find it hard
to witness a patient suffering or to break bad news to someone as they tend to get too
emotionally involved. Others might find it difficult to cope with being on call as they
function best with a regular work schedule. These are just a couple of examples that
someone might give.
Explain how you intend to overcome this challenge and prevent it from having an impact
on your performance. For example, trying not to dwell on your patients cases outside of
the workplace if you think you would be likely to become too emotionally invested.

Common Mistakes:
Saying that you would struggle with something that is a crucial for doctors to be
comfortable with. For example, you might not want to say that you would find it difficult
communicating with patients or working with people.
 Not appreciating that you might find certain aspects of being a doctor hard. You want to
show that youre aware of some of the challenges youll face as a doctor and are
prepared to overcome them.

How do you cope with failure?

Answer Guide:
Medical school applicants tend to be very competent individuals and are therefore used
to succeeding wherever they apply themselves. This means that they often struggle to
come to terms with failure when they do experience it.
If you are someone who finds it difficult to accept failure, it is okay to be open about this
but you should use this question as an opportunity to explain how you overcome the
challenge of failure and prevent it from having a negative impact on your work ethic and
motivation.
When you experience failure, you might want to reflect on why you did not succeed in
that particular situation. Was your performance lacking? If you were applying for a
position of some kind, were you not suited to the role?
For some people, asking these kinds of questions can help them to cope with failure as
it allows them to use the situation as a learning experience. If they feel their
performance could be improved, they would strive to do so for next time. If they feel that
the position they were applying for wasnt actually right for them, they will consider what
type of role might be a better fit and pursue that instead.
Mechanisms for coping in the face of failure are completely personal and answers to a
question like this will depend entirely on the person. However, it is important to
remember that failure is inevitable and your answer should demonstrate that you will be
able to overcome instances when you are not successful as you progress in your
medical career.
 Common Mistakes:
Not understanding that you will inevitably experience failure at some point in your
medical career. Your answer should demonstrate that you appreciate this and will be
able to cope when it happens.
Giving a generic answer. Your response to a question like this should be relevant to you
and demonstrate that you have the capacity for personal insight.

If your peers were to describe you in

three words, what would they be?
Answer Guide:
This is quite a nice question because it gives you a chance to show off without looking
too boastful, since you are technically speaking about other peoples opinions of you
Use three different words that demonstrate a large breadth of your qualities this is
your chance to show what you have to offer
You know the kind of thing that makes a good doctor by now, so those are the ones to
use, e.g. determined, creative, empathetic, team player, driven
For every quality you give, also say why you think your peers would say that about you,
using evidence to support your supposed strengths
Example: my sports coach always describes me as one of the most driven and
determined players on our team because of the way I balance academics and other
extra-curriculars, such as my volunteering, alongside my sport

Common Mistakes:
Missing the opportunity to highlight core strengths. This is an opportunity to showcase
qualities that specifically make you a good doctor and should be used that way
Saying that you dont know. This would highlight a serious lack of awareness, not to
mention empathy, which is crucial to being a good doctor
 LEARN ANSWER TECHNIQUES AT OUR INTERVIEW COURSE

What is your biggest weakness?

Answer Guide:
Many people never think about this. But you should
It is something that requires careful consideration. Its important that you choose
something which isnt debilitating (e.g. fear of blood) and that you have worked on to
counter
Example: I was not very confident with public speaking and found it intimidating. While it
is still quite difficult for me, I have joined the debating society so that I can get better in
this area and my peers say they have noticed a great improvement

Common Mistakes:
Not thinking about this in advance. This means if you get asked, there is a chance you
will either struggle to think of one, look arrogant, or under pressure come out with
something that is quite debilitating
Stating something that isnt really a weakness, like working too hard

How do you deal with stress?

Answer Guide:
Being a medical student and then a doctor is extremely stressful. You have to show that
you know this, referring to work experience and people youve spoken to
 Example: from my work experience and talking to many medical students here at your
university, I understand that a career in Medicine will be very stressful
You dont want to imply that you have the secret formula to nullify stress, but you should
suggest some things you do to manage it. You can start by giving some of the general
activities that help you feel less stressed
Example: whenever I start to feel stressed I find that what helps me deal with it the most
is doing yoga/going for a walk/making a plan of action
Then explain how this has helped you in a real life situation
Example: this really helped me during exam season and even throughout the year when
Ive had to juggle and balance academics alongside my extracurricular activities
You might also want to think of how you would manage stress in a confined
environment, like an operating theatre (e.g. deep breaths, asking for help)
Explain that stress management is something you want to continue working on
throughout Medical School and your career

Common Mistakes:
Underestimating the amount of stress involved in being a doctor and therefore showing
a lack of awareness about the career
Acknowledging that Medicine is stressful but implying that you will be able to deal with
that quite easily

Do you know when to seek help?

Answer Guide:
Feel free to make clear that you are really determined to use your own hard work to
achieve any goals
Having said this, it is crucial that you also recognise that it is important to know your
limits and when you may need help
 Going to Medical School is about learning, so knowing when to seek the counsel of
others is important
We all have different strengths and weaknesses and its important to be aware of this
Example: when I was in charge of organising a major school charity event, there was no
way it would have been as successful as it was if I didnt have the help of my team.
Example: from my work experience, I understand that as a doctor, it is impossible to
expect to be able to do everything yourself. There will be times where you will need to
ask for help, whether thats from the nurses on the ward or other colleagues
Remember: teamwork is an essential part of succeeding in Medicine

Common Mistakes:
Seeing asking for help as a sign of weakness. In fact, it is often quite the opposite.
Knowing when to get help and using it to improve is seen as a strength
If you are too insular and unwilling to ask for help you may struggle at Medical School
and worse still make bad mistakes as doctor

What would be your greatest

strength and why?
Answer Guide:
Give a strength that is one of the core traits required to make a great doctor and one
that you can back up with compelling evidence
Common examples include being a good leader or listener, having excellent
communication skills or being a real team player
Example: Im a great team player. This is something that has helped me excel in a lot of
different situations, from helping our sports team win important matches to organising a
major school charity event
 Refer to examples from you work experience which show how this trait translates into a
medical environment

Common Mistake:
Saying something not relevant to Medicine. Being a good cook, for instance, is not
relevant to Medicine
Saying too little for fear of sounding arrogant. You have to tell them about your
strengths, so get used to this by practising with friends and family

Why do you deserve a place at this

Medical School over the other
candidates?
Answer Guide:
Never compare yourself to the other candidates! You can only speak to the qualities you
possess that will make you (A) a strong candidate for Medicine and (B) a valuable
member of the university.
Take a moment to step back from the question and think about your answer. You
should structure your answer in a series of points (e.g. Reason One; Reason Two;
Reason Three; etc.).
Think about what Medical School requires of students and how you live up to those
qualities: ability to self-study, ability to work in teams, ability to communicate effectively,
willingness to support your peers, willingness to contribute to university life.
Think about what being a doctor requires of students and how you live up to those
qualities: academic ability, desire to continually develop knowledge, ability to practically
apply knowledge, ability to think creatively and rationally, ability to recognise your short-
comings and learn from mistakes.
 Then structure your answer with these points in mind. For instance, you might say:
There are several reasons why I believe I would be a valuable addition to the Medical
School here. First of all, I have demonstrated Second, I believe I have
Illustrate your answers with examples. For instance, have you won awards at school?
Did you go above and beyond during work experience? Do you participate in activities
outside of school?

Common Mistakes:
Do not fall into the trap of comparing yourself with other candidates or being too boastful
this is a test of your self-awareness and characteristics.
Focusing on one area (e.g. academic ability) to the detriment of the wider aspects of life
at Medical School and being a doctor.

Give an example of a time when you

were unsatisfied with your
performance.
Answer Guide:
The STARR Framework provides a structurally sound framework around which to
construct an answer
Situation: What is the context and setting of your story?
Task: What was the task at hand and what was the end goal?
Action: This is the largest section and revolves around your direct involvement in
completing the task. What did you do personally? And why?
Result: What happened as a result of your actions
Reflection: This is the most important and the most personal. Given time to think and
reflect on events, why were you unsatisfied with your actions/ the result?
This framework can be used in most questions relating to a situation when, but the
reflection section allows you to inject some introspective thought.
 This question could potentially lead into further questioning regarding what you believe
your weaknesses to be or how, in fact, you are working on improving them.

Common Mistakes:
Much like when describing weaknesses, it can be very easy to self-deprecate; however,
it is important to turn that into a positive and show that youre always trying to self-
improve
Try not to overly volunteer additional weaknesses, and ensure you end your answer on
a positive note

Teamwork
Give an example of a time you
worked in a team and it was
successful.

Teamwork: Are you a leader or a follower?

Answer Guide:
Briefly set the scene: what type of team, what were you doing, what was the goal and
what was the outcome?
After this has been established, talk about your role. They want to find out what you
contributed so be specific. You need to say not just what you did, but how you did it
 Example: if you contributed to the smooth communication within the team, maybe it was
because you set up a group chat, you addressed each member directly and checked up
on each members individual progress, encouraging everyone to post their progress and
striving to keep everyone in the loop
Have a set example of a time you have shown good teamwork. Ideally, it should have a
resolution to showcase your problem-solving skills
Then conclude by stating what you learnt about the qualities of a successful team. This
shows that you are reflective. You can go a step further by relating it to Medicine and
how the learning points can be applied in future, at medical school and beyond

Common Mistakes:
Taking too long describing the example. Everything you say should be made relevant by
either reflecting your individual good qualities or by showing your understanding of the
important factors of team work
Not focusing on right things. Your gold Duke of Edinburgh award is less important
than the skills/qualities youve learnt that can translate to Medicine

Give an example of a time you

worked in a team and you failed?
Answer Guide:
Again, start with the basics
Briefly set the scene: what type of team, what were you doing, what was the goal and
what was the outcome?
Then talk about your role specifically. Though the team did not reach its objective, they
want to find out what you contributed. There will still be positives to take from it
Show that you are able to reflect, learn and improve. Say what went wrong and why.
However, dont be over-critical of team mates or blame people
 Say what you would change next time in order to achieve a more desirable outcome
Translate these lessons into something applicable to your future career as a medical
student and a doctor

Common Mistakes:
Being too self-deprecating. This is not a pity party. You need to show introspection i.e.
that youve learnt from past mistakes, and that you are confident of correcting them in
future
Placing blame. Constructively criticise the failings of the team instead. You need to be
able see the fault in others but also be able to appreciate that the failure of a team is
collective

What are the attributes of a good

team leader?
Answer Guide:
Think of this in advance. Draw on examples from those who have inspired you as a
leader be it a teacher, a sports captain or a doctor you saw lead a team on work
experience
When going through the points that you feel make a great leader, bring them to life by
saying why they are so important and by using examples of times you have personally
shown, or at least seen, these traits in action
Useful sources of examples that can be applied to the below checklist are Multi-
disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in a hospital setting, sports teams or group activities, like
Duke of Edinburgh. But you should have plenty of others as well
Great leaders are usually effective communicators. They get across the teams
objectives to its members in a clear way that gives people a sense of purpose
 An effective leader reaches out to all members of the team and makes clear that he/she
cares about the progress of all members of the team. They are inclusive
Organisation is essential, since managing a team requires being on top of exactly what
needs to be done, when and by whom
Delegation is important. A strong leader knows his/her team members, what are their
strengths and their weaknesses, and is able to delegate fairly
Ultimately, a strong leader takes responsibility. They will not place blame on their team
or its members in tough times
Remember: use an example of a time you were a team leader or a time you witnessed
good leadership to make your answer stand out

Common Mistakes:
Just listing qualities without reasons or examples. For every trait, make sure that you
say why it is important and when youve seen / done it
Focusing too much on the individual leader. The sign of a really good leader is actually
the ability to maximise the output of their team

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What are the attributes of a good

team member?
Answer Guide:
Again, you will need to think about this in advance so you can arm yourself not only with
key traits but also reasons and examples
In advance of the interview, make a list of all the times you were a member of a team
and tease out the things you did well and you could have done better
 It is very important that a good team member can take guidance. This is also an
essential trait of being a medical student. Think of times, perhaps from work experience,
where you were given feedback and took it on-board to improve your performance
A good team member understands their role as part of a larger team. You will often be
working in a team (like an MDT), which is in turn a small part of a much bigger team: the
NHS. Show that you can work for the greater good and believe in doing so
Dedication should be a given. This is also a chance to showcase a crucial quality. When
working a week of nights, are you the one who pulls the team through or holds them
back?
A key to being able to work well with others is compromise. You can tie this to lots of
other desirable traits, like empathy

Common Mistakes:
Believing that being a team member is less desirable than being a leader. You need to
be both, but it is important to note that as a medical student and starting out as a junior
doctor, you will be part of a team more often than you will be leading one
Thinking that being told to do something different is a sign of weakness. Use examples
of times when you were told to do something differently, took it on board and really
improved your performance as a result

Are you a leader or a follower?

Answer Guide:
You should tell them that you are both and this should also be true
To be a great medical student, who need to have leadership quality but also be able to
take instruction and contribute to the greater good
 Provide personal examples of times when you have been a leader and a follower to
demonstrate that this is true, offering an outline of the situation, the rationale and the
ultimate outcome
Leadership example: I took a leadership role within my schools medical society.
Attendance was low and people were not inspired to come any more. So I looked into
some exciting topics and group activities online and worked with the teacher in charge
to implement them. This led to numbers at society meetings doubling
Teamwork example: when I was playing football for my school in the cup semi-final, our
captain asked me to play out of position in the second half so we could protect a narrow
lead. I knew this would limit my personal impact in the game but saw that the captain
had the best interests of the team at heart and that he was right. I played more
defensively and we progressed to the final

Common Mistakes:
Insisting that you are a leader, thinking this shows more strength. It is excellent if you
have leadership qualities but you also need to be able to take instruction over the next
six years of medical school and beyond
Not having leadership examples. Some people have lots of teamwork examples but are
shy and dont consider themselves leaders. Think about times you really took the
initiative. If there arent enough, work to develop these skills prior to interview

Is teamwork important in Medicine?

Why?
Answer Guide:
This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all of the preparation and work experience
that you have done during the application process. You should bring in examples from
 work experience, any relevant reading you have done and even personal experiences
as a patient or relative.
First of all, answer the first half of the question. Yes, teamwork is essential in Medicine
because it is essential in delivering high-quality care.
Consider the following reasons why: doctors specialise in a particular area so the ability
to work in a multi-disciplinary team is essential for patients with multiple morbidities;
healthcare is not just delivered by doctors, it is also delivered by nurses and allied
health professionals; teamwork increases the speed of intervention, which is essential in
trauma cases; teamwork is essential to the training and development of future staff.
Consider instances where a breakdown in teamwork has negatively affected an
outcome.
Has your reading discussed the importance of teamwork and collaboration? For
instance, have you read the first page of Good Medical Practice? (Hint: If not, do so!)
For bonus points, consider the role of the patient as a team member. Is the patient part
of the team? In what way?

Common Mistakes:
Generalising by saying that it is important, without concrete or specific reasons for why.
Discussing reasons in the abstract and not using work experience, reading or personal
examples to illustrate how teamwork manifests itself in the real world.

How do you resolve conflict within a

group?
Answer Guide:
Your answer for this type of question should be multifaceted; involving a short, generic
answer explaining what you would do as well as a more specific, detailed anecdote and
a summary
 One of the most important traits of a good team member is the ability to deal with
conflicts quickly and sensibly whilst not affecting the group dynamic or ability to
complete the task
An example of a personal anecdote: During my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, two
members of my group thought that we needed to go in the opposite direction to the rest
of the group. Before the discussion escalated further, I thought it important to get
everyone together and hear what people have to say we have a task to complete and
it must be done as a team. I knew we could deal with this ourselves as a group, so we
looked at the map and decided, as a group, the best route to take.
After giving this anecdote, it may be worth mentioning any plan you implemented to
prevent conflict arising in the future and dealing with issues quickly
You dont need to go into unpleasant details of the argument, just a brief overview and a
summary of the resolution

Common Mistakes:
Getting tied down in the minutiae of the conflict can lead to you losing the interviewer
and you may lose valuable time
Not having an example. Examples of conflicts can be as big or small as you like; the key
to answering this question well is about demonstrating that you can deal with any
situation appropriately and seek assistance if necessary.

What would you do if you were

working on a group project and
noticed than one member of the
team was not contributing?
Answer Guide:
 Medical students are often required to work in groups for the purpose of PBL (at certain
universities) or to produce a piece of work such as an academic poster. This means that
teamwork is very important and you want your answer demonstrate that you have the
ability to work well with others and resolve issues within a team.
Where possible, it is important for students to be able to deal with problems within a
team independently without having to involve a member of staff. You might mention
speaking to a tutor as an option if the team was unable to resolve the issue but this
would probably not be your first resort.
When working as a team, is it important for all members of the group to contribute so
simply having other students make up for the lack of contributions on one persons part
is not a good solution to the problem described in this scenario.
Explain how you would approach the individual in question. As you are not yet sure why
they are failing to contribute, you might want to do this sensitively and without being
confrontational. There are a number of reasons why a team member might struggle with
a group project such as personal issues, confusion about their role, or reluctance to ask
questions in a group setting.
Suggest how you might encourage your team member to begin contributing more. For
example, holding a group meeting to clarify each persons role and give people to
opportunity to ask questions or providing some constructive feedback on what they
have been doing so far.

Common Mistakes:
Saying that you would go directly to a member of staff. Although this might be a good
option if your team has tried and failed to solve a problem or is dealing with a more
serious situation, it is important for students to try and resolve issues like this amongst
themselves when possible.
Being overly confrontational in your answer. Empathy is an important quality for medical
students and you should consider why the student might be having trouble with the
project. You would also want to avoid generating friction within your team as this would
further disrupt your work.
 Why is it important for a team leader
to be able to allocate?
Answer Guide:
This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the role of a team
leader and the importance of drawing on the strengths of each team member. You may
want to use a personal example of when you acted as a leader and had to deal with
allocating tasks.
A good leader is essential for the success of a team and it is up to them to ensure that
each team member is contributing effectively. Whilst very competent individuals (like the
majority of medical students) often feel tempted to deal with tasks personally, it is
important to be able to allocate work so as to make the most of each team members
unique skill set.
It is also important for a leader to be aware of their limits and to know when it is in the
teams best interest to trust in someone elses opinions/abilities. For example, another
team member might have the experience or expertise required for a specific task.
Give an example of when you took on a leadership role and explain how you chose to
divide work amongst your team. If you failed to allocate roles well, reflect on the result
that this had on your teams outcomes.
You may want to consider relating your answer back to medicine Multidisciplinary
teams (MDTs) are made up of individuals from different healthcare professions who
work together for the purpose of improving patient care. These teams are a perfect
example of why allocation is so important as each member has their own specialised
field and should therefore take on a leading role when the team is focussing on an issue
related to their area of expertise.

Common Mistakes:
 Failing to take into account the skills of different team members. Simply splitting work
equally across a group is not the most effective use of human resources; more can be
achieved when people are given tasks that are appropriate given their unique skill set.
Failing to give a personal example. Although this is not technically required for a
question like this, it is recommended. Interviewers will appreciate you giving an example
of how you dealt with allocating tasks as a leader and reflecting on why your approach
was or was not successful.

What Medical work experience have

you carried out?

Work experience: what did you learn from your

work experience?
Answer Guide:
The important thing is that you have done as much work experience as possible.
Medicine is such a diverse field, with so many different aspects and specialities that you
should be really eager to see and experience as much you can
You should have kept a reflective diary of your work experience. Before interview, you
should go through this and extrapolate the key examples, reflect upon them and come
up with clear and succinct ways of getting across what you saw and what you learnt
Outline the type of experience you did, where it was and what you learnt, using specific
case-by-case examples to highlight things like communication, teamwork etc. If you
have multiple examples, give one of each
 Example: During my time in the hospital I worked in different departments with different
specialities including oncology, cardiology and radiology. During my time in cardiology, I
witnessed an emergency situation and it amazed me how the whole team came
together, under the leadership of the doctor, to stablilise the patient
Example: I organised work experience at my local GP surgery because primary care is
such a fundamental part of the NHS and I was keen to see what healthcare in the
community is like. One case that struck me was that of an elderly woman who spoke
little English. The doctor was able to adapt to communicate with her in a clear and
empathetic way
Example: I really enjoyed my medical work experience and working closely with
patients. This motivated me to start volunteering in an elderly care home, which Ive
been doing alongside my studies. Working there once a week has allowed me to form
some close relationships with patients and understand their perspective
Make it clear that you are not ending your experience after the interview. Say that
because there is still so much to see, youve been busy organising some more work
experience for the holidays

Common Mistakes:
Simply providing a checklist of placements youve done with no case examples or
learning points. This will ultimately mean you did not make the most of the time you
have invested doing all of these great things
Being closed minded. Saying things like Im only interested in becoming a cardiologist
so I only organised work experience in cardiology.

What did you learn from your work

experience?
Answer Guide:
 From each of your work experiences, you will have learnt many new things about
Medicine. No two days, even in the same GP surgery or the same hospital ward, would
have been the same
The danger here is almost having too much to say. So explain that while you have
learnt an incredible amount, you would like to give an example of a key learning point
from each of your placements
Example: During my time working on the wards in the hospitals, I saw the concept of a
multi-disciplinary team, something Ive heard so much about, come to life right in front
of my eyes. Witnessing the doctors, the nurses and the healthcare assistants all
working together to provide a seamless healthcare service, personalised for each
individual patient, was incredible
Example: In the GP surgery, one of the key things that really stood out to me was the
underlying importance of communication skills in the doctor-patient relationship. Seeing
the GP deal with an angry patient and calming them down in a matter of minutes, really
emphasised this
Dont be blindly positive and say that everything you saw seemed fantastic. Make sure
you get across that you saw the hard side of being a doctor, that you appreciated it, but
that you are still up for the challenge
Example: throughout my work experience, I was also aware of the daily challenges
doctors face. In every setting, whether it was in the GP practice or in the hospitals, the
doctors worked very hard with very long days and faced many stressful situations. But
speaking to the doctors, and seeing them overcome these obstacles, really inspired me.
I understand that a career in medicine will not be easy, but after my work experience I
am even more determined and motivated to pursue a career in this rewarding field.

Common Mistakes:
Not reflecting on learning points prior to the interview and having to do this in real time
during the interview. Its always apparent when this is the case. And, unfortunately, it
means you will not make the most of your efforts. Keep a reflective diary
 Sugar coating. The interviewers wont think you are being overly negative if you mention
some of the harder challenges you saw. In fact, they will appreciate that you are going
into Medicine with your eyes open
Providing a list of unsubstantiated buzzwords as learning points. Saying I saw the
importance of teamwork, communication, empathy etc. without giving specific examples

From your work experience, can you

tell me about a difficult situation you
observed/had to deal with and what
you learnt from this?
Answer Guide:
Start by acknowledging the challenges involved in being a doctor. It is a stressful job
and you need to demonstrate that you appreciate this
From your work experience, you will have learnt that doctors are constantly faced with
difficult situations and challenges
In these situations, a doctors ability to be flexible, use their initiative, and adapt their
communication skills to the present situation is what makes them stand out
You should then outline a specific example, since this is what they have asked for,
which you will have hopefully thought about prior to your interview
Example: one particular incident that stood out to me was during my work experience in
a GP surgery, where the GP had to deal with an extremely angry and aggressive
patient/ break some bad news to a patient. This was challenging because
Then go on to outline the actions taken
Example: I admired the way the doctor adapted his communication skills to the situation
to calm the patient down/demonstrate empathy by relating to the specific set of
circumstances
 Finally, extrapolate the key learning points and how you can apply them
Example: this has made me value the importance of communication in the doctor-
patient relationship even more. Since then, I, myself, have also tried to be more aware
of the power of my communication skills in difficult situations and have really noticed the
benefits of being flexible and adaptable with communication.

Common Mistakes:
Failure to be empathetic. Saying things like the patient was being a nightmare show
that you have not seen things from their point of view
Focusing on the negatives. You want to establish the challenge and how it was dealt
with. But dont say anything that makes it seem like it has put you off being a doctor

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What qualities did you learn are

important from the doctors and
nurses during your work
experience?
Answer Guide:
As with all work experience, this will come down to how well you have reflected on what
you have seen and done
Make sure that you take note not just of how the doctors operate during your
placements, but how the nurses and other healthcare professionals perform and how
everyone comes together in a team effort
 Remember that the ultimate goal is to provide an excellent, efficient and seamless
healthcare service, in the best interests of the patient
There are some key qualities you are likely to have seen, so you can go through these,
using actual examples for reinforcement
Teamwork/Leadership example: one of the first things I noticed was the importance of
inter-professional working and excellent team work amongst all the healthcare
professionals. I admired the leadership skills of the doctor to effectively lead the team,
ensuring each team member was valued and had a clear role. In one case
Communication example: Seeing how the doctors and nurses were able to adapt their
communication skills to a given situation really highlighted the importance of adaptability
and flexibility in healthcare. In one case
Ultimately, all of these skills are crucial in order to provide the best care for each
individual patient and this should be the focus of your answer

Common Mistakes:
Failing to notice any important qualities from the nurses or other healthcare professional
and only focusing on the important qualities in the doctors
Giving a shopping list of qualities, without backing them up using examples and learning
points

What aspect of your work

experience did you find the most
challenging/difficult and why?
Answer Guide:
Make it clear that you understand that a career in Medicine is not an easy one and there
are many challenges that doctors face on a daily basis
 Bring this point to life by using a personal example of a time when you saw something
that seemed particularly stressful
Example: for me, one of the most challenging aspects of my work experience was
seeing a doctor have to deliver some bad news to a patient
But then take the learning points from the situation
Example: however, I was really inspired by the way the doctor dealt with this situation
and this really opened my eyes to the importance of particular qualities which make a
good doctor, such as communication and empathy
Specifically mention that since your work experience youve taken time to reflect on this
situation and have really made an effort to use what youve learnt to deal with other
difficult situations/challenges youve come across
Another challenge around work experience is actually getting it. If you had to ask over a
hundred people or walk into twenty GP surgeries to get yours, mention this as it shows
commitment and resilience

Common Mistakes:
Trivialising the harder parts of work experience under the misguided impression that
highlighting the challenges will make you seem less committed
Leaning too far the other way, and saying that seeing the challenges doctors face made
you question your decision to study Medicine

What did you like most about the

work experience you undertook?
Answer Guide:
This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate what you observed and learned from your
work experience placements.
 As with all answers, stop for a moment and structure your response into a series of
themes or areas. Do not immediately go through a list of all your placements!
This question should be structurally similar to your answer for why do you want to study
Medicine? But the content should consist entirely of examples from your work
experience. If you are struggling for structure, refer to the GMCs Tomorrows Doctors.
Under this structure scheme, you would consider: the scholarly aspects of work
experience (i.e. did you find radiology particularly interesting?); the scientific aspects
(i.e. do you understand more about disease presents and how that relates to cell
function?); the doctor as a practitioner (i.e. did you enjoy talking to patients or watching
the doctor-patient interaction?); the doctor as a professional (i.e. did you enjoy the
teamwork between healthcare professionals?).
Remember to illustrate what you learned from your time in a clinical setting!
Did you learn anything about yourself during your placements?
If you undertook multiple placements in different clinical settings and had a particular
affection for one of them, say so and explain your reasoning. Be careful to end by
acknowledging that it is far too soon to be thinking about Specialties!

Common Mistakes:
Interpreting the question as an invitation to list off all the various work experience
placements you have done!
Not demonstrating that you have reflected on what you learned and putting that within a
wider context of your decision to study Medicine or what life as a doctor will be like.

Why do you think we ask candidates

to undertake work experience?
Answer Guide:
 You may be thrown a curve-ball question, such as this one. It is essentially testing
whether you have thought about the rationale behind the tests you need to take to enter
Medical School, or if you have simply followed instructions.
Consider the challenges of Medical School: it is stressful; it requires an enormous
amount of self-determination; it is a far longer course to study; it is designed to prepare
you for a life-long career.
From this, consider what the evaluators may be looking for (or worried about): a visible
interest in Medicine; a strong commitment to securing experience and learning from it; a
sober awareness of the downsides to Medicine; and therefore a well-informed decision
to study Medicine.
Work experience not only provides an insight into how Medicine is practised and what a
career as a doctor is like. It is also an opportunity for you to reflect on whether this
career is right for you and if you realistically have the skills and determination to do it.
Medical schools therefore ask candidates to undertake work experience to ensure that
their decision to study is informed, but also to evaluate whether students were engaged
enough to learn from their placements as placements are a core aspect of learning
during your clinical years.

Common Mistakes:
Not recognising the link between work experience placements and student placements
during your clinical years.
Suggesting that it is a test of the students commitment, rather than an opportunity for
students to really examine their motivations.

Reflecting on your work experience,

what event, if any, changed your
views on modern medicine?
 Answer Guide:
Your answer to this question will strongly revolve around your personal reflection on
your work experience and insight youve gained
During work experience of all types, there will almost certainly have been an event or
interaction which surprised you or which went against your pre-conceived ideas.
For example, witnessing the effect of administering palliative care on family and loved
ones of the patient.
Its also important not to forget to reflect on such events and expand and link them to
current roles and attributes of doctors.
Both positive and negative experiences are as valuable as each other!

Common mistakes:
You dont have to re-invent the wheel or spot a huge flaw in primary healthcare to be
able to make a valid reflection. Sometimes, the more specific and personal the example,
the more you demonstrate an awareness and insight into your experience.
Telling interviewers about all your work experience and what youve seen may sound
like a list as opposed to a genuine reflection. Its not about the amount of experience
youve had, rather how much you learned from the experience you have had.

Give an example of an interaction

between a doctor or nurse and a
patient that you observed during
your work experience. What skills
did you find to be important for this
type of communication?
 Answer Guide:
Communication skills are extremely important in medicine and students are often
required to put them into practice quite early on as many medical schools introduce
patient contact towards the beginning of their course.
Briefly describe an example of communication with a patient that you observed during
your work experience. You want to spend more time reflecting on what you learnt rather
than explaining the scenario itself so keep this concise.
Discuss the skills that you felt the doctor or nurse employed when speaking to the
patient or any other skills that you personally feel are important during this kind of
interaction.
Examples of important communication skills include some obvious points such as
eloquence, good body language, and eye contact as well as the ability to listen and
synthesize information.
However, qualities such as empathy may also be considered important. This means that
a doctor should pick up on the patients concerns and react appropriately in order to
help reassure them. In addition, it is important for doctors to adapt their vocabulary and
explanation to suit each patient; for example, you might need to adopt a different
approach when speaking to a child or a patient with a different mother tongue. These
are just a couple of the examples of communication skills that you might give.
Consider explaining why good communication is so important in medicine. You might
want to mention some of the potential repercussions of poor communication skills such
as patients failing to understand instructions with regards to their prescriptions.

Common Mistakes:
Focusing too much on the situation that you observed; that particular doctor or nurse
may not have employed a huge range of different skills with regards to communication
but feel free to discuss other skills that you feel are important when speaking to
patients, even if they were not displayed in that scenario.
Failing to consider the different aspects of communication. Communicating with patients
is not just about being articulate, although this is important; it may also require qualities
 such as empathy and the ability to adapt your level of communication depending on the
patient that you are working with.

During your work experience, did

you learn or see anything that did
not appeal to you about being a
doctor?
Answer Guide:
Interviewers want to know that you have a realistic view of life as a doctor. If you have
managed to get work experience in a clinical setting, it is important to demonstrate that
you picked up on some of the potentially negative aspects of a career in medicine as
well as the positive.
Give an example of a scenario you witnessed or an observation you made during your
work experience that helped you to appreciate some of the challenges that doctors face.
Reflect on how this example might make life as a doctor difficult or stressful at times.
Doctors sometimes have to break bad news to patients or deal with patients that are
being difficult. There are also other factors to consider such as the record keeping
involved in treating patients which can be tedious at times. Doctors also have a huge
responsibility due to the importance of what they do which can occasionally lead to
issues such as medical practitioners being sued. These are all valid examples of why a
career in medicine might not appeal to everyone.
Consider concluding with an explanation of how you would overcome the challenges
you described and why you still feel that a career in medicine is right for you.

Common Mistakes:
 Failing to acknowledge some of the negative aspects of life as a doctor. Every
prospective medical student at interview is there because they want to be a doctor but it
is important to demonstrate that you have thought about this decision and do not have
an idealistic view of a career in medicine.
Giving an extremely detailed description of what you observed during work experience.
Interviewers want to see that you have actually reflected on what you observed and are
less interested in hearing a list of everything you saw during your work experience.