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[deleted1130898]

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[Moko]

One of my faculty interviewers asked me something like "What would you say to your coworkers if you saw a patient racially stereotyping them?" I happened to be the same racial identity as the person in this case. Feels pretty unfair and targeted, having actually gone through the experiences they were describing. Why is this sort of question tolerated in the context of a med school interview when it probably wouldn't be asked in most job interviews?

I don't think it should be. It's a pretty stupid and cringey question given the circumstances (your being of the same race). Just goes to show that highly educated people are not always intelligent (and vice versa). Just my thoughts. I'm sorry you were subjected to that.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I need more context. It can come up with situational/behavioral questions, and it happens in clinics, especially if you were once a target of such an incident. I'm sure the situation comes up in medical education and in hospitals where there's more patient hostility toward the caregiving staff.

I would take the time to reply calmly about when you were racially stereotyped by a patient, what you did, and what support you received or expected to receive.

If you were uncomfortable, report it to the admissions team.

 

[AJS59]

One of my faculty interviewers asked me something like "What would you say to your coworkers if you saw a patient racially stereotyping them?" I happened to be the same racial identity as the person in this case. Feels pretty unfair and targeted, having actually gone through the experiences they were describing. Why is this sort of question tolerated in the context of a med school interview when it probably wouldn't be asked in most job interviews?

I think the sentiment of the question is valid because this is something that can and does happen in clinic (likewise, with the disrespect that many women doctors get) but the interviewer choosing to say the racial stereotype in this case isn't ideal. They should've probably spoken in the more general sense, and that's how I think you'd best give a response. So sorry this happened to you.

 

[Goro]

One of my faculty interviewers asked me something like "What would you say to your coworkers if you saw a patient racially stereotyping them?" I happened to be the same racial identity as the person in this case. Feels pretty unfair and targeted, having actually gone through the experiences they were describing. Why is this sort of question tolerated in the context of a med school interview when it probably wouldn't be asked in most job interviews?

No, that's a good question. You WILL have patients do that to you.

A med school interview is NOT a job interview.

 

[deleted1130898]

I need more context. It can come up with situational/behavioral questions, and it happens in clinics, especially if you were once a target of such an incident. I'm sure the situation comes up in medical education and in hospitals where there's more patient hostility toward the caregiving staff.

I would take the time to reply calmly about when you were racially stereotyped by a patient, what you did, and what support you received or expected to receive.

If you were uncomfortable, report it to the admissions team.

No, that's a good question. You WILL have patients do that to you.

A med school interview is NOT a job interview.

I see y'all's point. That is probably a better way to structure it for next time LOL. I think the structure of the question was meant to be a "Would you call out a patient who wouldn't let your coworker treat them?" Because I shared the same racial identity as the coworker, it felt limited in how I could respond. Of note, a White applicant would have an easier time answering this question, simply respond calmly to the patient and encourage your coworkers. There would also be no way to phrase this question that would involve a White applicant personally. A very small disadvantage, but a disadvantage nonetheless. The med school interview process can serve little more than a "vibe check," it is not a good setting to test an applicant's values/judgements. Words != actions. Anyways, just curious if others felt the same way.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I see y'all's point. That is probably a better way to structure it for next time LOL. I think the structure of the question was meant to be a "Would you call out a patient who wouldn't let your coworker treat them?" Because I shared the same racial identity as the coworker, it felt limited in how I could respond. Of note, a White applicant would have an easier time answering this question, simply respond calmly to the patient and encourage your coworkers. There would also be no way to phrase this question that would involve a White applicant personally. A very small disadvantage, but a disadvantage nonetheless. The med school interview process can serve little more than a "vibe check," it is not a good setting to test an applicant's values/judgements. Words != actions. Anyways, just curious if others felt the same way.

You have to consider multiple facets. Does patient autonomy and choice override basic human respect? What if you cannot accommodate the request? You will face this in school too.

 

[SpicyHotSauce]

On a similar note, in one of my previous interviews (will not name the school), I was asked 'rage bait' questions as well. It wasn't this, and was a different question. I don't want to give away the details of the interview because of the confidentiality agreement I signed, but it was about a controversial topic relating to the country I grew up in (as I graduated high school there and it was present in the AMCAS application which the interviewer had in front of them during the interview). For context, an individual from the general American population would have negative views on it.

My interviewer's first question was about this topic, and they proceeded to ask me questions after questions about it for the first ~20 min of the interview. I tried to handle it in a professional way, clearing any misconceptions, and even called out and addressed some false propaganda that is often brought up in US/Western news media about it. I felt my interview went bad and that I was targeted. I was eventually rejected by this university. However, this school offered feedback for rejected interviewees, and at this feedback session, I was told my interview's score was pretty high and that the comments by the interviewer were great! I was rejected for other reasons that they specified to me, which I felt was fair because what they pointed out was indeed the weakest part of my application.

I don't know what happened in the interview, but I'm guessing that they were trying to see how I handle such topics, because honestly, I've had people ask me questions about it too throughout my life (such as the agent at an insurance company when I was looking around for car insurance😂), and even by my peers in the medical school that I am currently attending! Obviously these people asked me in a curious, non-confrontational, and wanting-to-learn kind of way. I too expect my future patients to ask me about it too in small talk if they know my background.

I had no control over the country I was born in and raised in, but it feels like I have a duty to 'explain' myself over something that gives me a negative image which is untrue! But that's what the interviewer in my opinion was trying to see, and so my personal theory is that they wanted to see how do I handle it. Am I professional? How do I handle misinformation? How do I 'explain' myself for something I had no control over but people think I am responsible for but in reality I am not?

I thought I'd give my two cents, and that they were trying to see your thought process and how you handle scenarios which is likely to happen in your future career.

 

[LunaOri]

Was this an MMI question?

 

[deleted1130898]

Thank you for y'all's input