MDProspect's MMI Interview strategy

[MDProspect]

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Before reading the following, please understand that this is my strategy that has helped me get accepted into a school that uses MMI. It may or may not work for you.

After receiving several private messages regarding tips and how can one prepare for their upcoming MMI interview, I decided to start this thread to address some questions and share my MMI strategy.

So what is an MMI?
Each school has their own edition of the Mini Multiple Interview, which means that the amount of interviews (stations) varies from school to school. Usually between 8-12 stations. You have a few minutes to read the station's prompt and another 5-8 minutes to enter the station and have a conversation with the interviewer.

What is required for the MMI?
You, the ability to speak coherently for 5-8 minutes, and some basic knowledge of medical ethics.

What I am going to be asked during an MMI?
Again, each school chooses their own questions and how they want to ask those questions. In other words, you can be simply asked " Why XSOM?", " Why medicine?" ," Would you like to provide any additional information that is not listed on your AMCAS application?".

Then there are the scenario questions. The questions range from "what's your opinion on the matter?" to "What is the ethical issue and how would you respond to this situation?"

Why is the MMI an advantage to you and better than the traditional interview?
First, you have limited amount of time with the interviewer. As mentioned, each station will have a topic and this short interview will only revolve around it, so no surprises. In a traditional interview, anything is fair game. Like that research that you have done during your Sophomore year, which you have long forgotten about and only remember enough details to fill up the 700 characters on your AMCAS application. Second, MMI eliminates bias. No matter how nice you are, you will not get along with everyone. Your chances are much higher when you are being evaluated by 8-12 people versus a single person who can literally decide your future.


Strategy:

I think @PugsAndHugs has done an amazing job with her MMI strategy.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/pugs-mmi-interview-strategy.1183568/

My strategy:
"KISS" and "PPD"

"Keep It Simple, Stupid" an acronym coined by the Navy in the 1960's that does wonders!
MMI is not the time for using extensive personal anecdotes to justify an issue nor for showing off how much you know about laws and ethics. You know about the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case? Great, keep it to yourself! The point of an MMI is not to test your knowledge that you have haphazardly mustered a few days before the interview. You are there to show that you are not an automaton and possess the simple capability of a thought process. Introduce yourself and smile, briefly state your opinion, ask your interviewer if they have any questions for you (if they are silent), shake hands and say "thank you", and move on.

Only applicable to scenario questions:
Problem: State what you have read. This should not be longer than two sentences. The interviewer knows the prompt, so avoid regurgitating it.

Pathway: The scenario will be open-ended. Meaning, there will be more than one right answer; however, there will also be wrong answers. What do I mean? You will be presented with an ethical dilemma. There will be two extremes:
A) Flat out agreement B) Flat disagreement (avoid both)

Let's use this example:
"A 14 year old patient requests birth control pills from you and asks that you not tell her parents. What would you do? "
Extreme 1: You agree with the patient, give her the prescription, the end.
Extreme 2: You disagree with the patient, refuse her request without parental consent.
What's wrong with these answers?
1. By giving her the prescription without a conversation, you are not looking out for the patient's best interest. She might not know the dangers of unprotected sex and that the pill does not protect her from STDs and that it has side effects.
2. By disagreeing to give her the prescription, you are also not looking out for her best interest and you're not respecting her autonomy. Yes, she is a minor, but in most States, if not all, children have the right to see a physician for birth control without the parents' knowledge.

Best solution: Before offering the prescription, you first tell your patient that you will not disclose your conversation to her parents and then you are going to ask if she knows what birth control is? If she is already sexually active? Does she know about the dangers? Asking these questions, shows your thought process and guides you on your next decision. If she understands your concerns, prescribe the pill. If not, offer her pamphlets and schedule another appointment after she had time to think about it.

Discussion: At this point, you have presented your solution/thoughts on the matter. A quick summary could be helpful, but it is not needed. State why the extremes should be avoided. Stop and wait for the follow up question(s).

Relax and good luck!

 

[FCMike11]

"MMI is not the time for your personal anecdotes."

Totally disagree. While some prompts you just dont have time to or can't for whatever reason, it is the best way to show your depth.

I've done a traditional MMI and at some of the stations I intertwined how I have handled such a situation previously or how I could relate. Just depends on the station, you just have to have the awareness to know you are not forcing it.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

 

[Frogger27]

I agree some with @FCMike11 ... Although you cannot do it in every situation/station, I found a much greater connection with the interviewer when I was able to relate the station to a personal situation/experience

edit: Great thread though... love how you addressed the birth control question

 

[Lnsean]

A) Flat out agreement B) Flat disagreement (avoid both)

HUH? So you're just going to stay in the middle...on the fence...not taking either side? I feel for some examples (like the one you have provided)...yes...you should consider both sides and then take on both sides of the coin....but for many situation (like in real practice), you have to make a decision. Hovering over grey areas and being ambiguous maybe okay for text-book and made-up scenarios but won't work in real practice.

I feel the example you have provided is excellent for when to hoover in the ambiguity zone, but I am expecting these schools to have situations where you are expected to take a stance...where your opinion isn't as important as how you've thought through it and defended it. I mean it's easy to take both sides of any debate or argument...it's much harder to take a stance and have to defend it...am I wrong? Anyone can chime in.

 

[MDProspect]

HUH? So you're just going to stay in the middle...on the fence...not taking either side? I feel for some examples (like the one you have provided)...yes...you should consider both sides and then take on both sides of the coin....but for many situation (like in real practice), you have to make a decision. Hovering over grey areas and being ambiguous maybe okay for text-book and made-up scenarios but won't work in real practice.

I feel the example you have provided is excellent for when to hoover in the ambiguity zone, but I am expecting these schools to have situations where you are expected to take a stance...where your opinion isn't as important as how you've thought through it and defended it. I mean it's easy to take both sides of any debate or argument...it's much harder to take a stance and have to defend it...am I wrong? Anyone can chime in.

MMI doesn't equal IRL practice. Used the "pick a side approach" and got rejected. Stayed neutral throughout the entire MMI and got accepted. You are being evaluated on your proformance. Your interviewer may have a different opinion on the issue. You're not going to convince him/her to change their opinion in 5 minutes, but you could ruin your performance score. Hence, I avoid picking a side, unless I am specifically asked to do so.

 

[Lnsean]

MMI doesn't equal IRL practice. Used the "pick a side approach" and got rejected. Stayed neutral throughout the entire MMI and got accepted. You are being evaluated on your proformance. Your interviewer may have a different opinion on the issue. Your not going to convince him/her to change their opinion in 5 minutes, but you could ruin your performance score. Hence, I avoid picking a side, unless I am specifically asked to do so.

Ahh...so based on your experience...they prefer you to be neutral and just explain both sides? I feel like they could get that with an essay prompt or something....weird.

 

[Frogger27]

I would like to hear some of the adcoms thought on the MMI advice above. I have been told some of the best way to approach it is to understand both sides (articulate this) and then pick one and defend it.
@gonnif @gyngyn @Goro @LizzyM

 

[FCMike11]

Ahh...so based on your experience...they prefer you to be neutral and just explain both sides? I feel like they could get that with an essay prompt or something....weird.

Dunno about that. The MMI I had I explicitly remember the interviewer asking me, at the end of our 8 minute session, "So you're saying you would ________?"

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

 

[macbookproretina]

Thanks for this! Not sure why you recommend against sharing a personal anecdote though. There is no right way to answer every question and just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for someone else!

 

[MDProspect]

I'll give another sample where my strategy could be applied. For instance" you are an ED attending and a ragged-looking man comes in with a complaint of acute back pain. The patient is requesting painkillers. The nurse pulls you aside and tells you that this man has been in the ER five times in the past month. What do you do?

P: I have learned that my patient might have a drug addiction based on the information provide by my colleague. However, the patient might have legitimate chronic pain.
P: I would first ask the patient to describe his exact symptoms and if over-the-counter analgesics have helped him with his pain in the past. Furthermore, I would explain to him that based on his frequent ER visits, he needs more than painkillers, and recommend rehabilitation services. Based on the patient's responses, I will be able to evaluate whether he needs help or wants to score pills. If it's the former, recommend rehab. If he wants to score pills, explain the dangers of painkillers and ask what his long term goals are. Come up with a plan of care that deals with his pain and addiction. For short term goal, offer mild-dose analgesic, if he accepts therapy.

D: I think the best way to help this patient is to find out what his long-term goals are and working with him to find a reasonable solution that I can help him achieve. I would avoid coming to premature judgements as his pain can be a legitimate concern. Blatantly refusing him, reflects poorly on me and would be a failure on my part to help someone who is suffering. On the other hand, if he does have an addiction, giving him pills is also a poor decision as I am enabling his addiction and not truly helping my patient.

 

[wizzed101]

I'll give another sample where my strategy could be applied. For instance" you are an ED attending and a ragged-looking man comes in with a complaint of acute back pain. The patient is requesting painkillers. The nurse pulls you aside and tells you that this man has been in the ER five times in the past month. What do you do?

P: I have learned that my patient might have a drug addiction based on the information provide by my colleague. However, the patient might have legitimate chronic pain.
P: I would first ask the patient to describe his exact symptoms and if over-the-counter analgesics have helped him with his pain in the past. Furthermore, I would explain to him that based on his frequent ER visits, he needs more than painkillers, and recommend rehabilitation services. Based on the patient's responses, I will be able to evaluate whether he needs help or wants to score pills. If it's the former, recommend rehab. If he wants to score pills, explain the dangers of painkillers and ask what his long term goals are. Come up with a plan of care that deals with his pain and addiction. For short term goal, offer mild-dose analgesic, if he accepts therapy.

D: I think the best way to help this patient is to find out what his long-term goals are and working with him to find a reasonable solution that I can help him achieve. I would avoid coming to premature judgements as his pain can be a legitimate concern. Blatantly refusing him, reflects poorly on me and would be a failure on my part to help someone who is suffering. On the other hand, if he does have an addiction, give him pills is also a poor decision as I am enabling an addiction and not helping my patient.

So in other words, you ignored the nurse and the previous doctors' experiences with this patient and treated him as if he just came to this particular clinic the very first time? That is an extreme position because you are going to work with those people for a while.

 

[wanderingorion]

Remember it isnt so much the content of your answer that is most important; rather both the ability to think/articulate/defend an answer with what you do and how you do it being most important. In other words, how do you think and what does that say (ie characteristics) about you.

Ability to:
communicate quickly and clearly?
see both sides?
understand and relate to a complex issue?
understand ethical and moral issues conflicts?
defend a position and articulate your arguments?

My most important advice is always sincerity. Be who you are and do not try to force/play the system thinking you need to frame your answers in a way you believe the interviewer would want to hear it. If you try to spin it understanding both sides without a position your can look indecisive. If you take a stance and argue forcefully on one point you can look stubborn and closed minded. So dont try to "beat the system" and just try to answer as yourself. It certainly helps reduce the stress of thinking you have to play a part.

During my MMI, I barely had time to think. The short time frame forces you to just be yourself. It was quite refreshing actually.

 

[MDProspect]

So in other words, you ignored the nurse and the previous doctors' experiences with this patient and treated him as if he just came to this particular clinic the very first time? That is an extreme position because you are going to work with those people for a while.

The problem with that logic is that you are assuming that there was a previous doctor and that this nurse worked with this patient before. She could be mistaken or it could have been some random nurse that walked by in the ER. While the patient might be suffering from his back pain. You can consider her advice, but making premature judgements will screw you over. Notice how the man is described. The purpose of this description is to trap you and make you say the wrong thing. The nurse is also a trap. Would you heed the advice of a custodian?

 

[MDProspect]

Thanks for this! Not sure why you recommend against sharing a personal anecdote though. There is no right way to answer every question and just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for someone else!

I am not big on anecdotes for scenario questions, because the less you say, the less chances of someone nitpicking. If you have some interesting analogy or if you feel that a story will improve your answer, then use it. But don't use them as evidence to bolster your position. When you are asked a personal question, in that case, use as many anecdotes as you want.

This is my strategy (N=1), not a commandment. It won't work for everyone, but it has worked for me.

 

[Goro]

It's hard for me to advise because my school does not do MMI

I would like to hear some of the adcoms thought on the MMI advice above. I have been told some of the best way to approach it is to understand both sides (articulate this) and then pick one and defend it.
@gonnif @gyngyn @Goro @LizzyM

 

[SoppyElk]

I've been prepping for my upcoming MMI by keeping up with current events and becoming more aware of some of the issues in healthcare and how to tackle them. I've also worked on making sure my arguments and positions on MMI prompts are well structured and supported. Hopefully things go well. Fingers crossed!

 

[libertyyne]

I am not big on anecdotes for scenario questions, because the less you say, the less chances of someone nitpicking. If you have some interesting analogy or if you feel that a story will improve your answer, then use it. But don't use them as evidence to bolster your position. When you are asked a personal question, in that case, use as many anecdotes as you want.

This is my strategy (N=1), not a commandment. It won't work from everyone, but it has worked for me.

I work on the opposite side of the spectrum. I say so much as if it is a game of guess the word that unlocks the acceptance. Keep on making sounds until the interviewer nods and then keep on making similar sounds.

 

[MDProspect]

I work on the opposite side of the spectrum. I say so much as if it is a game of guess the word that unlocks the acceptance. Keep on making sounds until the interviewer nods and then keep on making similar sounds.

During my next interview, I am going to speak in haikus. Let's see how that turns out.

 

[libertyyne]

During my next interview, I am going to speak in haikus. Let's see how that turns out.

During one interview I had a few seconds left so i asked the interviewer to repeat the question. After which i promptly uttered one word. Result= Accepted.

 

[MDProspect]

During one interview I had a few seconds left so i asked the interviewer to repeat the question. After which i promptly uttered one word. Result= Accepted.

Is Hollywood med school Harvard or Howard ? Batman= Boston or Boonshoft ?

 

[wizzed101]

The problem with that logic is that you are assuming that there was a previous doctor and that this nurse worked with this patient before. She could be mistaken or it could have been some random nurse that walked by in the ER. While the patient might be suffering from his back pain. You can consider her advice, but making premature judgements will screw you over. Notice how the man is described. The purpose of this description is to trap you and make you say the wrong thing. The nurse is also a trap. Would you heed the advice of a custodian?

You dodged the question, insulted the interviewer then the nurse. Way to go!

That aside, the my inquiry is just common sense. Unless you believed that a random nurse just wanted to screw the patient over and there was no doctor in his last visits so some random nurse/custodian told him off?; and that all the previous doctors were some kind of imbecile that hadn't done the obvious so the man languished around the clinic that failed him until you, the savior, came along and just knew how to do the right thing - you, the only doctor in the world that wanted to address the origin of the pain, which, by the way, is impossible to confirm objectively?

 

[popopopop]

You dodged the question, insulted the interviewer then the nurse. Way to go!

That aside, the my inquiry is just common sense. Unless you believed that a random nurse just wanted to screw the patient over and there was no doctor in his last visits so some random nurse/custodian told him off?; and that all the previous doctors were some kind of imbecile that hadn't done the obvious so the man languished around the clinic that failed him until you, the savior, came along and just knew how to do the right thing - you, the only doctor in the world that wanted to address the origin of the pain, which, by the way, is impossible to confirm objectively?

Why are you so condescending? What would be your expert answer to the scenario?

 

[MDProspect]

You dodged the question, insulted the interviewer then the nurse. Way to go!

That aside, the my inquiry is just common sense. Unless you believed that a random nurse just wanted to screw the patient over and there was no doctor in his last visits so some random nurse/custodian told him off?; and that all the previous doctors were some kind of imbecile that hadn't done the obvious so the man languished around the clinic that failed him until you, the savior, came along and just knew how to do the right thing - you, the only doctor in the world that wanted to address the origin of the pain, which, by the way, is impossible to confirm objectively?

Your inquiry is not common sense, it's an assumption. You are adding things into the prompt that aren't there. Read up on some ethics before you criticize me. You fail to realize that this is my strategy. You are in no way obligated to like it or to follow it. It worked for me, so I decided to share it with others.

 

[wizzed101]

Your inquiry is not common sense, it's an assumption. You are adding things into the prompt that aren't there. Read up on some ethics before you criticize me. You fail to realize that this is my strategy. You are in no way obligated to like it or to follow it. It worked for me, so I decided to share it with others.

Assumption? Again, pray tell, did you really think that the homeless guy walked into the ER 5 times without anyone taking any record, without seeing any doctor and without getting anything out of it? Your strategy can be kept to yourself. The moment you decided to share it, you were open to criticism. Your strategy makes no sense in situation where the choices are binary and one has to defend theirs.

 

[mhagerman]

Assumption? Again, pray tell, did you really think that the homeless guy walked into the ER 5 times without anyone taking any record, without seeing any doctor and without getting anything out of it? Your strategy can be kept to yourself. The moment you decided to share it, you were open to criticism. Your strategy makes no sense in situation where the choices are binary and one has to defend theirs.

The choices may be binary, but the decision making process is not. That's what is important to get across in these interviews - you aren't making calculations like a computer. And if you come across that way, the interviewer may also think of your application in computing terms: garbage in, garbage out.

Also, "ragged looking" does not necessarily mean he's homeless, and being homeless doesn't mean he's a drug addict.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Assumption? Again, pray tell, did you really think that the homeless guy walked into the ER 5 times without anyone taking any record, without seeing any doctor and without getting anything out of it? Your strategy can be kept to yourself. The moment you decided to share it, you were open to criticism. Your strategy makes no sense in situation where the choices are binary and one has to defend theirs.

If you just assume that the doctors who see your patients before you always do their due diligence, you're in for a lot of frustration.

And a friend's daughter was sent home from the ED three separate times before her mother refused to leave until they ran some labs and found that she was like 86% blasts. Always cover your ass.

 

[wizzed101]

The choices may be binary, but the decision making process is not. That's what is important to get across in these interviews - you aren't making calculations like a computer. And if you come across that way, the interviewer may also think of your application in computing terms: garbage in, garbage out.

Also, "ragged looking" does not necessarily mean he's homeless, and being homeless doesn't mean he's a drug addict.

And hence you defend your position. What are you even arguing about? If you keep being the middle of the road without giving a definite answer, the interviewer may think that you are a spineless wimp. But hey, some schools may want those. The original answer can be summed up to: it depends.

Oh and you will always do calculations. What is the alternative? Flipping a coin? Give me an example of a calculation free decision making process and I will show you how stupid it is. Even in the original answer, the OP did some calculations.

If you just assume that the doctors who see your patients before you always do their due diligence, you're in for a lot of frustration.

And a friend's daughter was sent home from the ED three separate times before her mother refused to leave until they ran some labs and found that she was like 86% blasts. Always cover your ass.

You are comparing apples to oranges. The prompt wasn't about general ER visit; it was about how to deal with potential drug seekers: dude comes in ask for pain killers specifically. He's been here 5 times in the past months already. Do you give him pain killers or not? You can run all tests you want but whatever you can find won't be treated by painkillers. Again, do you give him painkillers or not?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

And hence you defend your position. What are you even arguing about? If you keep being the middle of the road without giving a definite answer, the interviewer may think that you are a spineless wimp. But hey, some schools may want those. The original answer can be summed up to: it depends.

Oh and you will always do calculations. What is the alternative? Flipping a coin? Give me an example of a calculation free decision making process and I will show you how stupid it is. Even in the original answer, the OP did some calculations.



You are comparing apples to oranges. The prompt wasn't about general ER visit; it was about how to deal with potential drug seekers: dude comes in ask for pain killers specifically. He's been here 5 times in the past months already. Do you give him pain killers or not? You can run all tests you want but whatever you can find won't be treated by painkillers. Again, do you give him painkillers or not?

Apparently, you have trouble taking two similar but not identical events and parsing out the lesson.

 

[NewHorizons]

-

 

[wizzed101]

Apparently, you have trouble taking two similar but not identical events and parsing out the lesson.

The ERs becoming narcotics dispensers is a serious problem.

 

[MDProspect]

For those who may be learning about MMIs, do what this person tells you not to......

I legitimately think this is a troll thread and this OP should be banned for spreading such terrible misinformation.

MMIs not about having a firm opinion? Lol? You can be decisive without being stubborn about your choice.
"Given the circumstances I would consider A to be the best option, though I can recognize why others choose B... if the situation changes I may also be inclined to switch my decision etc..."

No anecdotes? Maybe not for everything but effectively incorporated anecdotes can be incredibly beneficial...
In a question where an individual is looking for support, you can talk about your experiences at a support center or help phone line and discuss your reasoning

The fact that this OP thinks he's qualified to talk about MMIs... he/she doesn't share his/her own credentials, nor talks about their preparation (other than cramming "a few days before"), nor has any experience in the actual MMI question design and interviewing process.... pretty much as good qualifications as a random guy on the street

I legitimately wonder how this person got into medical school.... then again with 1 MD acceptance (assuming they are even telling the truth, which is unlikely) out of 22 applications, this OP wasn't exactly cream of the crop.

How are my credentials any relevant to this thread? I have been on SDN long enough to know better than to misinform anyone or to troll. I have only provided my proven method. Yeah, I have one acceptance to MD so far, it's only October. You should be banned for being an a-hole. Anecdotes can be beneficial, but when you are in the lions den and only have 5 minutes to present yourself, it is not the time for stories. If you can do it, then my hat is off to you, but I am a nervous wreck during the interview and my anecdotes came off as rambling; hence I say to avoid them. I also see that reading comprehension is not your strong suit. I did not cram, and I said to avoid cramming. My strategy does not involve preparing, this is not the MCAT.

Edit: If this method does not suit you, come up with your own or use @PugsAndHugs method.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

For those who may be learning about MMIs, do what this person tells you not to......

I legitimately think this is a troll thread and this OP should be banned for spreading such terrible misinformation.

MMIs not about having a firm opinion? Lol? You can be decisive without being stubborn about your choice.
"Given the circumstances I would consider A to be the best option, though I can recognize why others choose B... if the situation changes I may also be inclined to switch my decision etc..."

No anecdotes? Maybe not for everything but effectively incorporated anecdotes can be incredibly beneficial...
In a question where an individual is looking for support, you can talk about your experiences at a support center or help phone line and discuss your reasoning

The fact that this OP thinks he's qualified to talk about MMIs... he/she doesn't share his/her own credentials, nor talks about their preparation (other than cramming "a few days before"), nor has any experience in the actual MMI question design and interviewing process.... pretty much as good qualifications as a random guy on the street

I legitimately wonder how this person got into medical school.... then again with 1 MD acceptance (assuming they are even telling the truth, which is unlikely) out of 22 applications, this OP wasn't exactly cream of the crop.

While I mostly agree with you, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on here that the average MD matriculate only has 1 acceptance.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

The ERs becoming narcotics dispensers is a serious problem.

Woosh.

 

[wizzed101]

Woosh.

?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

?

You're missing my point and being condescending while doing so. Doesn't really benefit me to continue trying to explain.

 

[wizzed101]

You're missing my point and being condescending while doing so. Doesn't really benefit me to continue trying to explain.

Your point doesn't make sense. In your case, diagnostic tests and medications can actually address a measurable condition.
For the pain dude, whatever you find they painkiller will certainly NOT treat the underlying cause. And again, you cannot measure "pain." I can see him having kidney stones and still decide not to give him anything because of reasons. And not a thing anyone can do about it. while in your case they will be after my ass.

 

[wizzed101]

And conversely, if I found nothing in the numerous tests I ordered, I might still give him painkillers because of reasons. And again, not a single thing anyone can do about it. And that's why your case does not apply.

Edit: @Matthew9Thirtyfive Oh yea. I see your point now. I will just look over his record briefly and trust my colleagues. This is not the 2nd time but the 6th time already. Maybe when he had other symptoms rather than "pain," I would have the basis to do something else. Heuristics is not a dirty word despite all the associated fallacies.

Just curious. In your friend's case, how far apart were the visits? Was there a different doctor in each occasion? The symptoms got worse/ not improving? Additional symptoms? I bet it was something visible that prompted the correct test.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

And conversely, if I found nothing in the numerous tests I ordered, I might still give him painkillers because of reasons. And again, not a single thing anyone can do about it. And that's why your case does not apply.

Edit: @Matthew9Thirtyfive Oh yea. I see your point now. I will just look over his record briefly and trust my colleagues. This is not the 2nd time but the 6th time already. Maybe when he had other symptoms rather than "pain," I would have the basis to do something else. Heuristics is not a dirty word despite all the associated fallacies.

Just curious. In your friend's case, how far apart were the visits? Was there a different doctor in each occasion? The symptoms got worse/ not improving? Additional symptoms? I bet it was something visible that prompted the correct test.

Yes my point is to do your due diligence. Trust but verify. I can recall many cases from my time in the OR that a patient was told something by a doctor only to have something completely different that was caught either because another physician did his own work up or it got to the point where the ddx was fairy obvious.

My friend asked three different doctors to run labs, and she finally refused to leave at the end of the last visit. They ran them because she is a heme/onc nurse and said she would raise hell if they didn't run them. They sent them off just to shut her up. She had bruising on her trunk and a fever, and three different doctors said it was a virus and to give her Tylenol. Hers is not the only case I can think of, as I said above, and EM docs aren't always to blame.

Edit:
The only reason I brought that story up is it was the first one that popped into my head that you shouldn't just assume everyone has done their jobs appropriately. Not verifying things yourself can burn you.

 

[Home_Run_Ball]

Hello folks!

I had a question about MMI stations that involve role playing!

Does the role playing begin the moment you walk into the room? Or do you first walk in, introduce yourself sit down and then it begins?

 

[MDProspect]

Hello folks!

I had a question about MMI stations that involve role playing!

Does the role playing begin the moment you walk into the room? Or do you first walk in, introduce yourself sit down and then it begins?

I would come into the room, introduce myself and then begin role playing. Straight off the bat role playing seems awkward IMO and the interviewer might not know who you are.

 

[Home_Run_Ball]

I would come into the room, introduce myself and then begin role playing. Straight off the bat role playing seems awkward IMO and the interviewer might not know who you are.

Hey sry if I am pestering you but, if my MMI format is 2 min reading and 6 minutes to talk, how should I pace myself? 3 minutes to talk then the last 3 minutes for probing questions?

 

[MDProspect]

Hey sry if I am pestering you but, if my MMI format is 2 min reading and 6 minutes to talk, how should I pace myself? 3 minutes to talk then the last 3 minutes for probing questions?

You are not pestering. I am here to help. It depends on the type of question you are going to be asked. If it's a scenario question. Read the prompt as fast as you can and try to understand it while formulating your response. Most likely you will have an additional copy of the prompt inside the station, but try not to waste your time rereading it. If you need it to recall a detail or something you are going to use for your presentation, then use it. When called, walk in, introduce yourself, summarize what you have read. Then present the problem (if there is one). State your opinion on the issue. Discuss your opinion. This should take no more than 2-3 minutes. At this point, I would pause. The interviewer will most likely now ask you a follow-up question. If not, ask them if they have questions. However, if it's a free-based question, like "why our school?", use as much time as you need to answer the question, but leave a minute or two just in case your interviewer wants to ask you something.

PM me if you want to go over specific MMI sample questions.