Most difficult MMI situation you've ever heard of

[openstage]

I've enjoyed reading and hearing podcasts about interesting and unusual MMI scenarios. They're like fun puzzles. Some of them are terrifying and I wonder how I'd ever sound intelligent responding. I don't want to breach anyone's confidentiality contracts, but what are some of the most difficult scenarios you've ever heard asked? Post reply or PM if you prefer.

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[FISTMCLARGEHUGE]

I have a friend that does MMI interviews at a school I won't name. He was telling me that his station is one of the "I'm going to debate your stance" style interviews.

Here is the thing, I have no doubt this man could be one of the best trial lawyers in the United States if he wanted to. Grew up in a family of lawyers and has participated in some form of debate throughout most of his life. I have seen him talk his way out of situations that he had no business leaving unscathed. I feel like regardless of how strong your argument is, he will find a way to instantly provide a solid counterpoint confidently and as soon there is any break or sign of a lack of confidence he will focus directly on it. I've had a lot of light-hearted arguments with him for fun and I would imagine it would be terrifying to be at something as serious as an interview and have him as an MMI station. While many good debaters tend to win a battle of attrition he just finds the game you are trying to play and beats you at it. You can easily tell him your favorite food and 5 minutes later leave the conversation doubting decades of your choice in ice cream. I feel like the interviewer makes more of an impact than the question.

Also worth noting, he says he ends most interviews smiling and laughing with the applicant. He likes to bring up solid points they made and acknowledge the strong arguments they made.

 

[tessellations]

One topic that came up in discussion during one of my scenarios was if there would ever be a time as a provider where you would feel the need to "breach" patient confidentiality. This follow-up question definitely took me by surprise. It wasn't that it was difficult, but I ended up discussing situations where a patient might be expressing suicidal or homicidal ideation or was experiencing some sort of abuse, which were really serious topics that I didn't at all except to end up bringing up when I read the original prompt.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

I’ve signed NDAs for every MMI I’ve done, but I think what was generically most difficult was the unexpected pushback I got from a few interviewers at some stations.

I’d say something that (I believed) was eminently reasonable or self-evident, and the interviewer would say “Hmmm, I don’t know, have you considered [crazy counterpoint]?” I’d stick to my guns and receive even more pushback.

I’m sure this was a tactic to see if I’d back down, but I ended up disagreeing with the interviewers basically the entire time. I got an acceptance at one of the schools where this happened, so I guess my approach worked.

Have confidence and believe in what you say.

 

[tessellations]

I’ve signed NDAs for every MMI I’ve done, but I think what was generically most difficult was the unexpected pushback I got from a few interviewers at some stations.

I’d say something that (I believed) was eminently reasonable or self-evident, and the interviewer would say “Hmmm, I don’t know, have you considered [crazy counterpoint]?” I’d stick to my guns and receive even more pushback.

I’m sure this was a tactic to see if I’d back down, but I ended up disagreeing with the interviewers basically the entire time. I got an acceptance at one of the schools where this happened, so I guess my approach worked.

Have confidence and believe in what you say.

This!!! I had a similar experience at one station where my interviewer kept trying to get me to change my answer. Even though I stuck to my guns, it is so stressful to have an authority figure keep questioning you about your (seemingly reasonable) answer.

 

[Bonne Nuit]

This!!! I had a similar experience at one station where my interviewer kept trying to get me to change my answer. Even though I stuck to my guns, it is so stressful to have an authority figure keep questioning you about your (seemingly reasonable) answer.

Fortunately for me, at least, it was pretty obvious when they were doing this.

An example (not from a real scenario) would be an interviewer trying to get me to say I would divert extra pain meds for a favorite patient for whom standard pain management was failing.

I’d have to repeatedly state that, in no circumstances would I divert pain medication for anyone at any time - I would be happy to discuss adjusting the treatment plan with my superiors, but I wouldn’t surreptitiously give the drugs to the patient without clearing it first. “Yeah, OK, but what if the patient has less than a week to live?” “Doesn’t matter, still wouldn’t do it, need to follow the rules/laws” and so on.