There are times when your personal beliefs may conflict with your ability to provide a legal medical procedure, such as abortion or physician-assisted death. So, what then? You can be a conscientious objector. But that doesn’t preclude you from providing your patient with information on a doctor who would not have the same objections that you do. Would you do that? Walk the interviewer through your thought process and proposed actions.
Conversely, you might find that a patient's or patient’s family’s strong beliefs conflict with your goals as a doctor. “Our applicants struggled with one scenario we presented in the past in which a patient in a coma requires a blood transfusion,” shares one admissions team member. “The patient is a Jehovah’s Witness, and some members—including this patient’s outspoken family—believe their religion forbids blood transfusions. So, what do you do as the patient’s physician? I would struggle with that scenario too.” Your response to this is personal. We just want to set you up for the possibility of such a question and encourage you to break down your reasoning when responding, even if you cannot come to a conclusion that you feel is 100% the right move.
Conversely, you might find that a patient's or patient’s family’s strong beliefs conflict with your goals as a doctor. “Our applicants struggled with one scenario we presented in the past in which a patient in a coma requires a blood transfusion,” shares one admissions team member. “The patient is a Jehovah’s Witness, and some members—including this patient’s outspoken family—believe their religion forbids blood transfusions. So, what do you do as the patient’s physician? I would struggle with that scenario too.” Your response to this is personal. We just want to set you up for the possibility of such a question and encourage you to break down your reasoning when responding, even if you cannot come to a conclusion that you feel is 100% the right move.
