School Student
What's surgery like?
Interview Questions
This is a list of example Interview questions – it is not exhaustive but it will give you a good idea of the style of questions asked.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
You are very likely to be asked this. Be honest in your response and consider the following points: You want to study medicine for yourself rather than for someone else, talk about your attributes that would make you a good doctor, and if you want to “help people” explain why you want to do this in medicine particularly.
What do you think makes a good team?
Think about successful teams you have been a member of and how they differ from unsuccessful teams. Try to include practical examples to illustrate your point.
Do you read any medical publications?
You are not expected to be reading high end medical journals. Look at things like student BMJ.
Tell me about any medical advances and issues you have heard about recently.
This question can be quite daunting so good preparation is essential; read a lot!
What makes a good doctor?
Your answer should be specific in relation to your own characteristics as well as general characteristics associated with being a good doctor in general. You might wish to consider the following points:
- Good communication skills
- Compassion
- Flexible and being able to work under pressure
- Ability to adapt knowledge to find a solution to a problem
Which quality do you think is the most important in a doctor?
There really is no right or wrong answer but you must justify your opinion for example: Adapting my application of knowledge because no two patients are exactly the same.
What is the difference between primary care and secondary care?
Primary care is healthcare advice and treatment provided close to home by a doctors who acts as a first point of consultation for all patients - this service is supplied by General Practitioners (GPs) who make up the overwhelming majority of doctors in the UK.
Secondary care is health care provided in a hospital for life-threatening emergencies and specialist treatment. Almost all surgeons work in secondary care.
What is the "postcode lottery"?
Despite the name, the NHS isn’t one organisation. It is broken down into local services (called NHS Trusts). The Trust decide how money is spent on a specific area or treatment and not all decide to spend this in the same way. As a result quality or availability of care can vary across the country.
This can be controversial and the term ‘postcode lottery’ refers to this idea that healthcare can be based on geographic location rather than merit or need. Try to have a view on the problems and issues this can cause, preferably with an example.
Would you prescribe the oral contraceptive pill to a 14 year old girl that is sleeping with her boyfriend?
Remember there is no right or wrong answer but give different point of views as well as your own. Remember that you may be working in a place with official guidelines or policies around issues such as this.
How do you see Britain’s healthcare system in 20 year’s time?
Try to be optimistic or state reasons why you are not. Suggest how the situation can be improved in 20 years time.
If you had £1 billion to spend on one element of healthcare, what would you spend it on and why?
Try and be imaginative, some examples may be; prevention of diseases such as obesity and lung cancer by promoting ways of keeping healthy.
What do you feel are the good and bad points about being a doctor?
Be balanced in your answer, don’t focus on things like money or power—these are not good reasons to become a doctor.
Bad points could include: It’s can be stressful and takes a long time to train and on calls mean that you have to wake up a lot in the middle of the night. Good points might include: Job satisfaction as you know you are making a difference to people’s lives, challenging work environment or constant development of skills.
How would you balance your outside interests with studying a degree?
It is important that you have an outlet for stress and a life outside medicine—doctors need to be people too.
What single healthcare intervention could change the health of the population the most?
Justify your answer with a reason or an example. You could also include statistics as a justification.
What do you think about abortion/euthanasia etc.?
(This could be asked of any prominent ethical debate)
In an interview it is vital to show awareness of views for and against the argument presented. Remember as a doctor your personal beliefs and views are often overridden by the patients’ choice. Be sure to present a balanced argument.
What have you gained from your work experience/hobbies/community work?
Talk about how the skills you have gained will help you succeed in your future career in medicine or have just helped you develop as an individual.
What qualities do you have that mean that you will be a good doctor?
Be as specific as possible and show them how you are different to other people in terms of what you can offer.
How do you cope with stress?
Be honest—think about what has got you through GCSE’s.
What are your best and worst qualities?
Again be honest but think about your answer in the context of being a doctor—it is also worth saying what you are doing to combat your worst qualities. For example: I have found it difficult to concentrate on revision in the past. I have made efforts to create a timetable and have given myself fun rewards during my breaks as an incentive to work during my revision slots.
Never say that you don’t have any bad qualities! It is unlikely to be true.
What did you do in your year out? (if you had one)
Whatever you did, explain how it has helped you develop.
What responsibility do you have?
Think about what you do in your free time and any areas of responsibility that you may hold or have held at school, such as sports captain, team leader or prefect.
What do you think will be your greatest challenge in completing medical school or learning how to be a doctor?
Again be honest. Everyone is challenged by different things.
Consider what challenges you will face over your course, such as independent working or financial independence, and how you may overcome them.
What will you do if you aren't accepted to medical school?
Give this genuine thought, most medical schools receive at least 10 applications per place.
Other options include taking a medically related for example biomedicine, audiology other science degrees and trying for graduate entry or taking a year out to improve your application. Entry via clearing is not an option for medical school.
