Appropriate answer format for MMI

[IlyaR]

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Hey guys, have an interview coming up and I'm wondering if it would be fine to ask the interviewer questions after stating the problem at hand. I've been watching some helpful youtube stuff, but the guy who made the videos emphasizes the importance of asking questions and collecting information before continuing on:

As an example: a 14 year old patient is asking for birth control and does not want her parents to find out, he suggests doing the following:

State the problem
Ask the interviewer questions (Is the 14 year old sexually active, does she understand the risks of unprotected sex, does she know the side effects of the medication, etc)
Once all the information is collected, state a solution (respect patient autonomy once she is fully aware of everything, and prescribe the medication after a thorough exam)

This all makes sense to me, and would be great if there is an actor interviewer, but if its not an actor, can I still spend a couple of minutes asking pertinent questions to gather all the info I need? I guess it's possible to assume stuff and just mention a solution after reading the prompt and restating the problem, but I want to be sure

Thanks!

edit: I realize I might have sounded a bit vague. Should I ask the interviewer questions about the 14 year old, then state a solution, or should I say something along the lines of "After a careful examination and after informing her of all the risks and side-effects, I would prescribe her the birth control. While I would respect her decision and not let her parents know, I would make sure that she is safe and aware, and ask her to followup so I can monitor her"

 

[Goro]

Suppose you ask the questions below and the interviewer then goes "I don't know. You tell me"???????

Hey guys, have an interview coming up and I'm wondering if it would be fine to ask the interviewer questions after stating the problem at hand. I've been watching some helpful youtube stuff, but the guy who made the videos emphasizes the importance of asking questions and collecting information before continuing on:

As an example: a 14 year old patient is asking for birth control and does not want her parents to find out, he suggests doing the following:

State the problem
Ask the interviewer questions (Is the 14 year old sexually active, does she understand the risks of unprotected sex, does she know the side effects of the medication, etc)
Once all the information is collected, state a solution (respect patient autonomy once she is fully aware of everything, and prescribe the medication after a thorough exam)

This all makes sense to me, and would be great if there is an actor interviewer, but if its not an actor, can I still spend a couple of minutes asking pertinent questions to gather all the info I need? I guess it's possible to assume stuff and just mention a solution after reading the prompt and restating the problem, but I want to be sure

Thanks!

edit: I realize I might have sounded a bit vague. Should I ask the interviewer questions about the 14 year old, then state a solution, or should I say something along the lines of "After a careful examination and after informing her of all the risks and side-effects, I would prescribe her the birth control. While I would respect her decision and not let her parents know, I would make sure that she is safe and aware, and ask her to followup so I can monitor her"

 

[Lannister]

You can either ask that stuff as question, or you can say "Well, if I was her doctor, I would need to consider whether or not she's sexually active, etc etc". They want to know your thought process, the goal of an MMI is not really to arrive at a "correct" answer.
Don't stress too much, MMIs are fun.

Also, MMIs are NOT meant to be presentations. Do not sit there and talk for 8 solid minutes or however long the station is. It should be a conversation between you and the interviewer. You're allowed to ask questions, and they'll ask you follow up questions as well.

 

[piii]

I think you can rephrase this to make it a complete and good MMI answer.
Instead of asking the interviewer questions, ask the 14 year old pt these questions. Instead of looking for answers from the interviewer, show the interviewer that you are looking for answers within the scenario.

So I would go in and restate the question, "I had a chance to read the prompt and it seems like I'm a physician who is caring for a 14 yr old female patient who wants birth control but doesn't want her parents to know. The prompt is asking me what I would do."

"Well first I'd want to know more about her history. I'd ask her if she is sexually active, does she understand the risks, etc"

Also I think it is imperative in this situation to make sure the patient is informed. And also to cover the ethical choices: 1) you can see the patients point of view but 2) you can understand that she is underage and her parents have the right to know what medication she is on. What if she isn't telling you about unforeseen allergies or an illness that would cause a bad reaction. You have to decide whether or not a 14 year old has full mature patient autonomy (which most would argue no).

Personally I'd inform the patient, and let them know I understand. But I want to find out why she wants to hide it and try to get her to compromise with telling her parents. Getting her parents support will
1) get the patient what she wants: birth control
2) keep her parents informed
3) encourage healthy open dialogue with the child and parents
4) let you make a comprehensive medical decision preventing any unforeseen harm
5) not be placing yourself in liability issues sidestepping parent autonomy.

Try to discuss this in about 2-4 minutes and keep your dialogue engaged and open and friendly, and don't be afraid to speak your mind! They want to hear your thought process.

Hope that helps!